Finally, 2025.
We would like to wish all Singaporeans and everyone with us in Singapore a very happy new year.
We have been anticipating the General Election for the whole of 2024, but it turned out to be a year for the PAP Government to consolidate itself as it has had to deal with several high-profile matters such as the prosecution of ex-Minister Mr S Iswaran, the policy U-turn on SimplyGo, the attempted acquisition by Allianz of Income Insurance, and the most recent blunder of the unmasking of NRIC numbers.
There has also been much talk about the wealth of Ministers and their property transactions, against the background of the high cost of living faced by Singaporeans and their struggles to purchase BTO flats at reasonable prices. In my view, most Singaporeans will continue to support the meritocratic way of remuneration of our public office-bearers, provided there is transparency and accountability. Thus, it is not unreasonable to ask for more information on the personal assets of public office-bearers.
In 2024, Lee Hsien Loong fulfilled his wish to hand over to a successor. Will that lead to a substantial change in the PAP’s governing philosophy and policies? I would think not, because groupthink will likely continue to dominate. Apart from style, I am not expecting substantial change in the government’s policies under PM Lawrence Wong. More handouts do not represent a change in policy and they breed dependency. Clear long-term policies that empower Singaporeans to realise their full potential are what PSP has been consistently advocating.
Personally, 2024 has also been a very special year for me with the arrival of my first grandchild, who is a bundle of joy for me in every moment of my life now. It has also got me thinking more about the challenges faced by parents today in trying to strike a reasonable balance between work and caring for their young children. For most families, dual income is needed to cope with the high and rising cost of living in Singapore, yet it is not always easy to obtain infant care and child-care services. The availability of pre-schools, and subsequently primary-school registration, are also issues that young parents have to concern themselves with as their children grow. I hope to speak more on these issues at the coming Budget.
Finally, as this 14th Parliament will be drawing to an end soon, I wish to thank the West Coast GRC voters for giving me the opportunity to serve Singapore and Singaporeans thus far. I would also like to thank the thousands of Singaporeans who have stepped forward to encourage me in my parliamentary journey.
I have put in my best in the last four years. Throughout this time, my main focus has been on what needs to be done for Singapore and Singaporeans, rather than on just the next GE. I hope my work has made a difference in allowing Singaporeans to view the Opposition as an important voice and choice to have.
As we usher in 2025, I urge all Singaporeans to recall our national pledge “to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation.”
We can reaffirm this for our children and grandchildren through our vote in 2025.
Majulah Singapura
