Fathership

Japan man puts spy cam in fake rock he made with clay to film over 1,000 women in onsens

The man reportedly had convictions for possessing child pornography.

|3 min read
Japan man puts spy cam in fake rock he made with clay to film over 1,000 women in onsens

A Japanese man, aged 31, has been caught secretly filming over 1,000 women bathing in hot springs since 2022. He used a hidden camera embedded in a fake rock made from clay and brown plastic, with the camera's cable wrapped in brown tape and connected to a power bank. The man has confessed to his actions, and the prosecution is seeking a two-year jail sentence.

Background

The man was apprehended after a woman discovered the hidden camera at a hot spring in Yamagata prefecture. She noticed unusual reflections in a rock, found the embedded spy camera, and reported it to the police. Upon investigation, the police initially identified 44 victims from the footage. However, the man later admitted to filming at various hot springs, estimating around 1,000 victims. The prosecutor described the crime as "planned, repeated, and fundamentally harmful" and requested a two-year sentence. The man also has previous convictions for possessing child pornography.

How he was caught

The discovery of the hidden camera was made by a woman who noticed strange reflections in a rock at a hot spring in Yamagata prefecture. She found the embedded spy camera and reported it to the police. The perpetrator was arrested when he returned to retrieve the camera. Initially, the police found footage of 44 victims, but the man later confessed to filming around 1,000 women at different hot springs. The prosecutor highlighted the premeditated and harmful nature of the crime, requesting a two-year jail sentence. Additionally, the man had prior convictions for possessing child pornography.

Hot spring perverts

In 2023, a network of voyeurs was uncovered and arrested in Japan. This group had been taking and sharing photographs of women bathing in hot springs for three decades. The ringleader, 50-year-old Karin Saito, admitted to filming over 10,000 women during this period. The group would gather to learn voyeurism techniques from Saito and hold screening parties to share the videos. Sixteen people from 11 prefectures were arrested, including a doctor, government employees, and company executives.

Broader implications

The recent arrests highlight a disturbing trend of voyeurism in Japan's hot springs, raising concerns about privacy and safety. The involvement of individuals from various professional backgrounds, including a doctor and government employees, underscores the widespread nature of this issue. Authorities are now under pressure to implement stricter measures to protect individuals' privacy in public bathing facilities. Future implications may include increased surveillance and more severe penalties for such crimes to deter potential offenders.

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What do the PAP, WP, PSP, and SDP manifestos say about housing?

The PAP, WP, SDP and PSP have rolled out their housing manifestos, each claiming to fix voters' housing concerns. But do they deliver?

|8 min read
What do the PAP, WP, PSP, and SDP manifestos say about housing?

With HDB resale prices up 50% since 2020 and BTO waiting times stretching to five years, affordability and access are strangling young couples, singles, and retirees alike.

The 99-year lease model, once a cornerstone of stability, now looms as a ticking time bomb for ageing flats.

The PAP, WP, SDP and PSP have rolled out their housing manifestos, each claiming to fix voters' housing concerns.

But do they deliver?

PAP - more flats, same old tune

Flood the market with supply, tweak eligibilit, and tackle lease decay head-on

The PAP, Singapore’s ruling juggernaut, promises to build over 50,000 new HDB flats in three years—enough for an entire Ang Mo Kio town.

They’re doubling down on Shorter Waiting Time flats to cut BTO delays, exploring options for higher-income couples and singles, and pushing the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) to rejuvenate old estates like Kallang-Whampoa.

More flats don’t automatically mean cheaper flats

The Housing Price Index (HPI) ratio—median flat price to median income—hovers around 5-6, far from affordable for a $80,000-a-year household eyeing a $400,000 4-room BTO.

PAP’s reliance on grants, like the Enhanced CPF Housing Grant, is a band-aid, not a cure, when resale prices have soared 50% in five years.

VERS sounds promising but lacks teeth—its voluntary nature and vague compensation details leave residents guessing, unlike the more decisive Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS).

Expanding access for singles and higher-income groups is inclusive but risks diverting resources from lower-income families who can’t even dream of a $500,000 resale flat.

And while 50,000 flats sound impressive, global supply chain crunches and labor shortages could derail delivery, as seen in past construction delays.

Stability, not affordability

PAP’s plan is feasible, backed by HDB’s machine and approximately $1.2 trillion in reserves, but it’s incremental, not transformative.

PAP is betting on stability, not affordability, leaving young Singaporeans stuck in a cycle of grants and grit.

WP - bold on ideas, shaky on substance

The Workers’ Party takes a different tack, zeroing in on affordability with a promise to slash the HPI ratio to 3.0 or below—meaning a 4-room flat for a median-income family would cost no more than $240,000.

They propose 70-year BTO leases at lower prices, with an option to top up to 99 years, and a universal buy-back scheme to rescue retirees from depreciating flats.

To sweeten the deal, WP wants HDB to reacquire coffee shops and cap rents to inflation, easing living costs in estates.

Gutsy policy proposals but no clarity on how to fund it

WP's proposed housing policies speak directly to middle-class families and retirees crushed by prices.

An HPI of 3.0 would be a game-changer, making homeownership a reality, not a pipe dream.

The 70-year lease option is clever, offering flexibility for cash-strapped buyers, while the buy-back scheme tackles lease decay with precision, ensuring grannies in 40-year-old flats aren’t left penniless.

A very costly proposal

But ambition comes at a cost.

Dropping the HPI to 3.0 means slashing flat prices by 40-50%, requiring massive subsidies or land cost write-offs that could dent fiscal reserves or spike taxes.

The buy-back scheme, while noble, could cost billions if applied universally, and WP’s manifesto is mum on funding.

Worse, there’s no clear plan to boost flat supply, leaving waiting times untouched—a glaring blind spot when young couples are begging for faster BTOs.

WP’s heart is in the right place, but its wallet might not be.

PSP - radical vision, risky bet

The Progress Singapore Party swings for the fences with its Affordable Homes Scheme (AHS), scrapping BTOs to sell flats without land costs—recovered only on resale. This could halve prices, dropping a $400,000 flat to $200,000.

Singles aged 28+ get to buy 2- and 3-room flats anywhere, more flats will be built based on demand, and a Millennial Apartments Scheme offers short-term rentals in prime spots for young folks.

It’s a bold, youth-centric vision, promising to break the affordability curse and free CPF savings for retirement.

Revolutionary if it works, catastrophic if it flops

AHS is a stroke of genius on paper, tackling the root of high prices: land costs, which eat up half a flat’s value.

Letting singles buy at 28 in any estate is a nod to a growing demographic—30% of adults are single—while rental apartments cater to millennials delaying marriage.

But genius comes with glitches.

Deferring land costs guts government revenue ($20 billion yearly from land sales), risking budget shortfalls or reserve dips that Singapore’s fiscal hawks will savage.

Resale markets could tank as cheap new flats flood in, rattling homeowners’ wealth.

AHS demands a complete HDB overhaul, a bureaucratic nightmare to implement.

The Millennial Scheme sounds sexy but faces land scarcity in prime areas, limiting scale.

And PSP’s silence on lease decay is a fatal flaw—retirees with 30 years left on their flats get no lifeline.

It’s a high-stakes gamble: revolutionary if it works, catastrophic if it flops.

SDP - bold but tricky to execute

Slash prices with NOM flats, prioritize families, and secure retirements

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) proposes a transformative Non-Open Market (NOM) Scheme, selling HDB flats at cost—excluding land costs—for as low as S$70,000 (2-room) to S$240,000 (5-room).

NOM flats can’t be resold on the open market, only back to HDB, curbing speculation.

The Young Families Priority Scheme (YFPS) fast-tracks flat access for couples with kids, while singles, single parents, and low-income renters get broader eligibility.

An enhanced Lease Buy-Back Scheme offers seniors inflation-adjusted annuities, and a buffer stock of flats aims to slash waiting times.

A sophisticated Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) balloting system promises efficient allocation.

Affordability and inclusivity with a side of complexity

SDP’s NOM Scheme is a masterstroke for affordability, potentially cutting a 4-room flat from S$400,000 to S$160,000, freeing CPF savings for retirement and family needs.

YFPS directly tackles Singapore’s dismal 0.78 Total Fertility Rate by prioritizing young families, while inclusive policies for singles and single parents resonate with 30% of adults who are single.

The buffer stock and VCG system could shrink waiting times, addressing a key pain point.

The annuity-based Lease Buy-Back is a lifeline for retirees, ensuring dignity without depleting equity.

Bold but tricky to execute

NOM’s cost-recovery model, while appealing, risks government revenue losses similar to PSP’s AHS, though SDP’s resale restrictions may stabilize markets better.

Converting existing flats to NOM could spark legal or financial disputes over compensation.

The VCG system, while innovative, may confuse applicants unused to bidding premiums, and maintaining a buffer stock demands precise demographic forecasting to avoid oversupply.

Funding grants for low-income households (up to S$60,000) and annuities could strain reserves without clear fiscal plans.

SDP’s vision is bold and inclusive but hinges on complex execution and public buy-in.

Verdict

Singapore’s housing crisis—skyrocketing prices, endless waits, and lease decay—demands more than manifesto bravado.

  • PAP offers stability and supply but ducks affordability, betting voters will trust its track record over flashy fixes. Its plan will keep the system humming but won’t ease the squeeze.

  • WP’s price-slashing ambition and retiree focus hit the mark but stumble on funding and supply, risking empty promises. Its heart is right, but its math is shaky.

  • PSP’s radical AHS and youth appeal are electrifying but teeter on fiscal recklessness, ignoring older voters’ fears and homeowners who see housing as their nest egg. Its vision is thrilling but could crash the economy.

  • SDP balances affordability, inclusivity, and demographic fixes with NOM flats and family-focused policies, but its complex mechanisms and revenue risks need ironclad execution. Its plan is ambitious but navigates a tightrope.

GE2025’s housing debate exposes a truth - no party has a silver bullet. Voters must weigh stability against bold reform, affordability against fiscal prudence, and inclusivity against execution risks.

Comparative Analysis

AspectPAPWPPSPSDP
Key Proposals50,000+ new flats, Shorter Waiting Time flats, VERS, options for singles/higher-income.HPI ≤3.0, 70-year leases, universal buy-back, coffee shop rent caps.AHS (no land cost), singles 28+, more supply, Millennial Apartments.NOM Scheme (cost-recovery flats), YFPS, enhanced Lease Buy-Back, buffer stock, VCG balloting.
AffordabilityRelies on supply and grants; no direct price cuts.Targets HPI ≤3.0; flexible leases for cost savings.AHS removes land costs; highly affordable but disruptive.NOM flats slash prices (e.g., S$160,000 for 4-room); grants for low-income.
Lease DecayVERS rejuvenates old estates; proactive but vague.Universal buy-back; direct but costly.No specific measure; overlooks ageing flats.Enhanced Lease Buy-Back with annuities; preserves equity.
Supply and AccessStrong focus on 50,000+ flats; inclusive for singles/higher-income.Limited supply focus; emphasizes affordability over volume.Increases supply; strong singles’ access at 28+.Buffer stock to cut waits; inclusive for singles, single parents, renters.
InnovationIncremental; builds on BTO/VERS frameworks.Moderate; new lease options and buy-back scheme.Transformative; AHS and Millennial Scheme rethink housing models.Transformative; NOM, VCG, and YFPS overhaul pricing and allocation.
FeasibilityHigh; leverages HDB’s systems and reserves.Moderate; HPI target and buy-back costly but implementable.Low to moderate; AHS fiscally risky, others feasible.Moderate; NOM and VCG complex but actionable with reserves.
Voter AppealLikely appeals to families, older voters, and those prioritizing stability and supply.Likely attracts middle-class families, retirees, and young couples seeking affordability.Likely draws younger voters, singles, and reformists open to bold changes.Likely appeals to young families, singles, retirees, and those valuing inclusivity and affordability.
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GE2025 - Here are the key points from SDP's manifesto

The manifesto focuses on reducing economic inequality, enhancing social welfare, reforming education, and strengthening democratic governance.

|7 min read
GE2025 - Here are the key points from SDP's manifesto

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) released its manifesto for Singapore's 2025 General Election under the slogan “Thrive, Not Just Survive,” presenting a comprehensive set of policy proposals to address key national issues.

1. Cost of Living

The SDP highlights Singapore’s rising cost of living, driven by high housing prices, healthcare costs, and regressive taxation like the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The party critiques policies that burden the middle and lower classes while wealth concentrates among the elite.

  • Tax Reforms:
    • Abolish GST on essential items (e.g., food, medicine, school supplies) to reduce costs of necessities. No specific list of items or fiscal impact estimate is provided.
    • Increase income tax on the top 1% of earners to fund social programs. No tax rate or revenue target is specified.
    • Reinstate estate duty to address wealth inequality. No thresholds, rates, or expected revenue are detailed.
  • Ministerial Salary Reduction:
    • Cut ministerial salaries significantly, redirecting savings to aid lower-income households. No specific reduction amount or savings estimate is provided (current ministerial salaries: ~S$1.1M–S$3.2M annually, 2022 data).
  • Minimum Wage:
    • Introduce a minimum wage to ensure a living wage. No specific wage amount (e.g., S$2,000/month) or implementation timeline is stated.
  • Economic Transparency:
    • Enhance transparency in managing national reserves to ensure equitable use. No mechanisms (e.g., audits, parliamentary oversight) or reserve figures are specified.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
TaxationAbolish GST on essentials, tax top 1%, reinstate estate dutyReduce regressive tax burden, fund social programs
SalariesCut ministerial salariesRedirect funds to aid the poor
WagesIntroduce minimum wageEnsure dignified living standards
ReservesIncrease transparencyPromote equitable use of public funds

2. Housing

The SDP criticizes the high cost of Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats, driven by land costs and the 99-year lease decay issue. The party proposes restructuring the housing system to prioritize affordability and sustainability.

  • Non-Open Market (NOM) Scheme:
    • Cap HDB flat prices at S$270,000, excluding land costs, with flats sold back to HDB upon resale to maintain affordability. No details on flat types (e.g., 3-room, 4-room) or locations covered are provided (2024 BTO prices: ~S$300,000–S$600,000).
  • Voluntary En-bloc Redevelopment Scheme (VERS):
    • Introduce a sustainable VERS to address lease decay, enabling collective redevelopment. No specifics on funding, scale, or eligible estates are mentioned.
  • Increase Housing Supply:
    • Build more affordable flats to meet demand, reducing waiting times and prices. No specific figure for annual flat supply (e.g., 20,000 flats/year, as in 2024 HDB data) or demand metrics (e.g., marriage rates) is provided.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
NOM SchemeCap HDB flats at S$270,000, exclude land costsMake housing affordable, curb speculation
VERSSustainable en-bloc redevelopmentAddress lease decay, maintain affordability
SupplyBuild more flatsReduce waiting times, stabilize prices

3. Jobs and Wages

The SDP aims to prioritize Singaporeans in employment, reduce reliance on foreign labor, and address wage stagnation, particularly for Professionals, Managers, Executives, and Technicians (PMETs), in a workforce where foreign workers comprise ~39% (2024 data).

  • Minimum Wage:
    • Implement a minimum wage to ensure a living wage. No specific amount or benchmark (e.g., S$2,000/month) is provided.
  • Talent Track Scheme:
    • Introduce a points-based system for foreign PMETs, prioritizing Singaporeans for hiring and retrenchment protection. No criteria (e.g., skills, experience) or quotas are specified.
  • Foreign Labor Reduction:
    • Gradually reduce reliance on foreign workers to create opportunities for Singaporeans. No target percentage (e.g., from 39% to 30%) or timeline is stated.
  • CPF Minimum Sum Reform:
    • Eliminate the CPF Minimum Sum Scheme (Full Retirement Sum: ~S$213,000, 2024) to provide retirement flexibility. No alternative savings mechanism is proposed.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
WagesMinimum wageEnsure fair compensation
EmploymentTalent Track Scheme, prioritize SingaporeansProtect local job opportunities
Foreign LaborReduce relianceIncrease jobs for Singaporeans
CPFScrap Minimum Sum SchemeEnhance retirement flexibility

4. Social Safety Net

The SDP seeks to strengthen social support, focusing on healthcare, marginalized communities, and gender equality, replacing complex schemes with accessible programs.

  • National Health Investment Fund (NHIF):
    • Replace the 3M system (Medisave, Medishield, Medifund) with NHIF, where citizens contribute a fixed monthly amount, and the government funds the rest via taxes. No contribution amount (e.g., S$50/month) or total cost estimate is provided.
    • Make maternal and pediatric care mostly free. No scope (e.g., age limit for pediatric care) or budget is specified.
  • Malay Community Upliftment:
    • Implement a 10-point plan to address economic inequality, education access, and discrimination. No specific actions (e.g., scholarship funding, employment quotas) or metrics are detailed.
  • Gender Equality:
    • Promote women’s rights via the SDP Women’s Wing, focusing on healthcare, work-life balance, and anti-discrimination. No specific programs (e.g., subsidies, leave policies) or funding is outlined.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
HealthcareNHIF, free maternal/pediatric careReduce medical costs, support families
Malay Community10-point upliftment planAddress inequality, promote inclusion
Gender EqualityWomen’s Wing initiativesEnhance women’s rights, work-life balance

5. Education

The SDP critiques Singapore’s exam-driven education system for fostering stress and inequality, proposing reforms to prioritize holistic development.

  • Abolish PSLE:
    • Eliminate the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) to reduce student stress. No replacement assessment (e.g., portfolios) or transition plan is detailed.
  • Smaller Class Sizes:
    • Reduce class sizes to improve learning. No target size (e.g., from 33.6 to 25 for primary, 2023 data) or funding estimate is provided.
  • Holistic Curriculum:
    • Emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and socio-emotional skills. No specific curriculum changes or teacher training plans are outlined.
  • Equal Opportunities:
    • Address socio-economic disparities in education. No interventions (e.g., subsidies) or disparity metrics (e.g., low-income student percentage) are specified.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
PSLEAbolish PSLEReduce exam stress, promote holistic growth
Class SizesSmaller classesEnhance personalized learning
CurriculumFocus on critical thinking, creativityPrepare students for diverse futures
EquityAddress disparitiesEnsure equal educational opportunities

6. Governance

The SDP addresses concerns over the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) dominance and restrictions on freedom of expression, seeking to enhance transparency and civil liberties.

  • Ministerial Salaries:
    • Reduce ministerial salaries to align with public service ethos. No specific reduction amount is provided.
  • Freedom of Speech:
    • Reform laws like the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) to protect constitutional rights. No specific mechanisms (e.g., judicial oversight) are detailed.
  • Constitutional Reforms:
    • Strengthen civil liberties through constitutional amendments. No specific articles or amendments are specified.
  • Government-Linked Companies (GLCs):
    • Divest inefficient GLCs to foster competition. No list of targeted GLCs or economic impact estimates is provided.
  • Regional Democratic Partnerships:
    • Foster partnerships with democratic neighbors (e.g., Malaysia, Indonesia). No specific agreements or initiatives are outlined.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
SalariesReduce ministerial salariesPromote public service ethos
Free SpeechReform POFMA, protect rightsEnhance democratic expression
ConstitutionStrengthen civil libertiesFoster open society
GLCsDivest inefficient GLCsPromote market competition
Regional TiesDemocratic partnershipsStrengthen regional democratic values

7. Environment

The SDP emphasizes environmental sustainability, addressing climate change and resource management in a densely populated nation.

  • Climate Commitments:
    • Strengthen adherence to the Paris Agreement through emissions targets and renewable energy. No specific targets (e.g., 50% emissions cut by 2030) are provided.
  • Electric Vehicles (EVs):
    • Provide incentives for EV adoption to reduce emissions. No details on subsidies (e.g., amount per vehicle) or infrastructure (e.g., charging stations) are included.
  • Population Control:
    • Oppose population growth to 10 million, rejecting long-term planning scenarios (e.g., 2013 White Paper). No alternative population cap (e.g., 6M) is proposed.
  • Haze Pollution:
    • Enforce the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act. No specific actions (e.g., fines, regional agreements) are detailed.
  • Waste Reduction:
    • Reduce single-use packaging. No targets (e.g., 50% reduction by 2030) or mechanisms (e.g., bans) are specified.
Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
ClimateStrengthen Paris Agreement commitmentsReduce carbon footprint
EVsIncentivize EV adoptionLower transportation emissions
PopulationOppose 10 million targetEnsure sustainable growth
HazeEnforce Transboundary Haze ActAddress regional pollution
WasteReduce single-use packagingMinimize environmental impact

Conclusion

Launched ahead of the May 3, 2025, General Election, the SDP’s manifesto reflects its social liberal democratic vision, emphasizing affordability, equity, and sustainability.

Key proposals, such as the S$270,000 HDB price cap and opposition to a 10 million population, include specific figures, but most policies (e.g., building more flats, minimum wage, class size reductions) lack quantitative details, such as numerical targets or cost estimates.

Implementation challenges include fiscal costs (e.g., NHIF, GST exemptions), political resistance to bold reforms (e.g., PSLE abolition, GLC divestment), and the SDP’s limited electoral success (no seats since 1997).

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PSP Tan Cheng Bock now admits that we have to worry about US tariffs

Dr Tan called PM Wong's statement on the US tariffs as a fear-mongering but later admitted that it's a very serious problem.

|2 min read
PSP Tan Cheng Bock now admits that we have to worry about US tariffs

During the PSP's manifesto launch early this month (Apr 6), Dr Tan Cheng Bock, the party's chairman, criticized the government's response to the US tariffs as "overblown".

He suggested that the government's strong warnings, such as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's (PM Wong) statement on about the "likelihood of a full-blown global trade war," might be an attempt to "instil fear" in voters to make them choose the incumbent as a "safe bet" ahead of the General Election.

In a YouTube video, PM Wong urged Singaporeans to brace themselves because the risks are real and the stakes high.

Dr Tan called for economists to study the real impact of the tariffs. "Don't just make statements of this kind and scare everybody," he said.

To worry or not to worry?

On Saturday (Apr 19), Dr Tan reiterated his party’s stance on the trade war, calling it “a very difficult problem, but a very serious problem” that “we are not taking lightly”.

He said: "Trump is so unpredictable. I cannot give you the answer also. But i don't think that we are just lying low and say oh, nothing to worry. of course, we worry differently. We are looking for answers. This is a very difficult, serious problem. And we are not taking it lightly."

PSP's position on the US tariffs reflects a critical view of the government's initial response as potentially exaggerated for political gain but later recognized the trade war's significant economic implications that should not be taken lightly.

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A comparative summary of PAP, WP, PSP and SDP proposed policies

If you have no time to read all manifestos, just read this summary.

|5 min read
A comparative summary of PAP, WP, PSP and SDP proposed policies

The manifestos of the People’s Action Party (PAP), Workers’ Party (WP), Progress Singapore Party (PSP), and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) for the 2025 Singapore General Election reveal a spectrum of priorities, as summarized in the following table:

AspectPAPWPPSPSDP
VisionStability and continuity; incremental improvements.Pragmatic reform; balanced change.Bold transformation; radical reforms.Social justice and equity; transformative democratic change.
Cost of LivingEnhances Assurance Package, CDC vouchers, maintains GST at 9% with offsets.GST exemptions for essentials, National Minimum Wage ($1,600).Reduce GST to 7%, exempt essentials, defer HDB land costs.Abolish GST on essentials, tax top 1%, reinstate estate duty, minimum wage.
HousingOver 50,000 new HDB flats, Shorter Waiting Time flats, VERS rejuvenation.70-year BTO leases, universal buy-back schemes, affordability focus.Affordable Homes Scheme (AHS), Millennial Apartments Scheme.Non-Open Market (NOM) Scheme with $270,000 HDB price cap, sustainable VERS, more flats.
Jobs and WagesSupports PMETs, fair employment safeguards, Progressive Wage Credit.EP reforms, SkillsFuture enhancements, local talent priority.$2,250 minimum living wage, EP quotas, retrenchment benefits.Minimum wage, Talent Track Scheme for foreign PMETs, reduce foreign labor, scrap CPF Minimum Sum.
Social Safety NetReinforces ComCare, Silver Support, Workfare enhancements.Expands healthcare subsidies, simplifies assistance, retiree support.$1,800 minimum living income, caregiver allowances, MediSave expansion.National Health Investment Fund (NHIF), free maternal/pediatric care, 10-point Malay community plan, gender equality initiatives.
EducationCustomized education, SPED expansion, lifelong learning.Class size caps at 23, holistic education, later school start times.10-year through-train program, class size reduction, local student priority.Abolish PSLE, reduce class sizes, holistic curriculum, address socio-economic disparities.
GovernanceMaintains stability, anti-corruption, improves communication.Office of Ombudsman, standing committees, GRC abolition.Freedom of Information Act, asset declaration, GRC abolition.Reduce ministerial salaries, reform POFMA, constitutional reforms for civil liberties, divest GLCs, regional democratic partnerships.
EnvironmentNew parks, marine parks, transport infrastructure.Renewable energy targets (50% by 2040), forest conservation.Environmental Impact Assessments, hasten renewables.Strengthen Paris Agreement, EV incentives, oppose 10 million population, enforce haze act, reduce single-use packaging.
FeasibilityHighly feasible; leverages existing systems.Feasible; builds on existing frameworks.Ambitious but risky; requires significant changes.Highly ambitious; faces significant fiscal and political challenges.
Voter AppealAppeals to conservative voters, older generations, middle to upper-income brackets valuing stability and economic growth.Attracts middle-class families, younger voters concerned about housing and education, seeking a stronger check on PAP.Draws younger demographics, lower-income workers, reformists willing to risk significant change.Appeals to lower-income groups, youth, and reformists frustrated with inequality and governance restrictions, but may alienate moderates due to radicalism.

This table highlights the diversity in approach, with PAP focusing on continuity, WP on balanced reform, PSP on transformative change, and SDP on social justice and democratic overhaul.

Critical Insights

  1. Addressing Public Concerns:

    • PAP: Targeted subsidies (e.g., Assurance Package) provide immediate relief but may not address root causes like rising costs, appealing to those prioritizing stability.
    • WP: GST exemptions and a $1,600 minimum wage offer practical relief, balancing affordability with feasibility, suitable for middle-class voters.
    • PSP: Reducing GST to 7% and deferring HDB land costs are bold, voter-friendly moves, but fiscal risks may concern cautious voters.
    • SDP: Abolishing GST on essentials and taxing the top 1% directly tackle inequality, appealing to lower-income groups, but lack of cost estimates raises feasibility questions.
  2. Housing:

    • PAP: Over 50,000 new flats increase supply, with VERS addressing lease decay, maintaining market stability.
    • WP: 70-year leases and buy-back schemes focus on affordability, offering a middle-ground solution.
    • PSP: AHS excludes land costs for affordability, with Millennial Apartments addressing youth needs, but market disruption is a risk.
    • SDP: The $270,000 NOM Scheme cap is innovative but lacks specifics on flat types or fiscal impact. Building more flats is vague without a supply target, unlike PAP’s 50,000 or PSP’s 20,000/year.
  3. Governance and Democracy:

    • PAP: Prioritizes stability and anti-corruption, avoiding structural reforms.
    • WP: Proposes an Ombudsman and GRC abolition for accountability, balancing reform with pragmatism.
    • PSP: Freedom of Information Act and GRC abolition push transparency, appealing to reformists.
    • SDP: POFMA reform, constitutional changes, and GLC divestment are radical, aligning with its democratic ethos, but may face resistance in Singapore’s conservative political culture.
  4. Economic Growth:

    • PAP: Balances local and global needs, supporting PMETs and businesses.
    • WP: Enhances local talent via SkillsFuture, maintaining economic competitiveness.
    • PSP: A $2,250 minimum wage risks business costs but benefits workers.
    • SDP: Minimum wage and foreign labor reduction prioritize locals but lack specific figures, potentially disrupting Singapore’s globalized economy.
  5. Social Safety Net:

    • PAP: Strengthens ComCare and Silver Support, building on proven systems.
    • WP: Simplifies assistance, focusing on healthcare and retirees.
    • PSP: Introduces caregiver allowances and MediSave expansion, resembling a basic income model.
    • SDP: NHIF and free maternal/pediatric care are ambitious but lack costings, while the Malay community plan and gender equality initiatives address inclusivity without specific actions.

Overall Assessment

  • PAP: Appeals to voters valuing economic stability, strong governance, and proven leadership, attracting conservative voters, older generations, and middle to upper-income brackets. Its continuity is robust but may seem out-of-touch with reformists.

  • WP: Offers a credible, pragmatic alternative, appealing to middle-class families, younger voters concerned about housing and education, and those desiring a stronger check on PAP. Its balanced approach is feasible but may lack transformative vision.

  • PSP: Presents a bold platform for change, drawing support from younger demographics, lower-income workers, and reformists willing to risk significant change. Its ambition is appealing but faces feasibility challenges.

  • SDP: Champions social justice and democratic reform, appealing to lower-income groups, youth, and reformists frustrated with inequality and governance restrictions. Its radical proposals (e.g., abolish PSLE, scrap CPF Minimum Sum) resonate with those seeking systemic change but risk alienating moderates due to limited electoral track record and vague costings.

The election outcome on May 3, 2025, will hinge on voter priorities—stability versus change—and how each party builds trust amid economic and social challenges.

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Is SDP Ariffin Sha going to be the next Raeesah Khan?

Ariffin Sha is the male counterpart to Raeesah Khan, not in ambition or ideology, but in their shared disregard for facts when narrative suits their cause.

|4 min read
Is SDP Ariffin Sha going to be the next Raeesah Khan?

Ariffin Sha, founder of Wake Up Singapore and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate for GE2025, and Raeesah Khan, former Workers’ Party MP have one thing in common: a failure to uphold truth.

Both, in their respective arenas—alternative media and Parliament—have faltered, revealing a troubling symmetry.

Ariffin is the male counterpart to Raeesah, not in ambition or ideology, but in their shared disregard for facts when narrative suits their cause.

Background

Ariffin, a 27-year-old law graduate and SDP candidate for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, built Wake Up Singapore (WUSG) as a platform for socio-political commentary.

A legal executive by day, he manages WUSG, which boasts over 100,000 followers.

In March 2022, WUSG published a fabricated story about a miscarriage at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), alleging staff mishandled a foetus.

The claim, based on doctored documents from KKH patient Ma Su Nandar Htwe, was false.

Ariffin’s platform failed to verify the story, leading to a criminal defamation charge, a guilty plea, and an S$8,000 fine in August 2024. His apology and retraction came only after exposure, too late to restore trust in KKH, which serves 12,000 inpatients annually.

Raeesah Khan, a 31-year-old former MP for Sengkang GRC, committed a parallel offense in August 2021. She claimed in Parliament to have accompanied a rape victim to a police station, where an officer made insensitive remarks. This was a lie, admitted three months later, rooted in her personal trauma but lacking any factual basis.

Her resignation from the Workers’ Party and a recommended S$35,000 fine followed, alongside a breach of parliamentary privilege that eroded trust in elected officials.

Both Ariffin and Raeesah leveraged significant platforms—WUSG’s social media reach and Khan’s parliamentary pulpit—to amplify unverified claims.

Both tackled sensitive issues (healthcare and sexual assault) that demand rigor, not recklessness.

Their admissions of fault, only after being cornered, reveal a willingness to prioritize narrative over truth, whether driven by zeal or negligence.

Dr Chee pleads for "mature" political discourse

At SDP's press conference, Dr Chee was asked how he would respond to any voters concerned about Mr Ariffin Sha’s previous conviction.

He claimed Ariffin had “very ably” made a case for younger Singaporeans and urged a focus on issues over personal attacks. “We want (the) Singapore political system to mature… where we can talk about issues and not go back into past practices where we are just destroying people in terms of talking about their personalities,” Chee said.

He compared Ariffin’s case to PAP politicians’ mistakes, citing former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, who resigned in 2023 over an extramarital affair with a Tampines GRC MP. “We want to be judged by the same standards,” Chee added, rejecting “personal demonization.”

Mr Tan resigned from his position and from the PAP in 2024 over an affair he had with a fellow party member who was a Tampines GRC MP.

“We want to be judged by the same standards,” Dr Chee said, adding that he wished to avoid a situation of “personal demonization, that is not in keeping with a mature civilized election campaign”.

Comparing Sha’s conviction to PAP’s Tan Chuan-Jin’s personal scandal, however, is a false equivalence—adultery doesn’t undermine public institutions; spreading falsehoods does.

Chee’s plea to focus on “issues” over “personalities” conveniently ignores that Sha’s lapse is the issue: judgment matters in leadership.

Raeesah’s case is equally indefensible.

Her lie, though tied to personal trauma, was not a slip but a calculated statement repeated thrice in Parliament, undermining the Workers’ Party’s credibility and fueling skepticism about opposition accountability.

Weaponizing sensitivities for moral posturing

Both cases expose a deeper issue: the temptation to weaponize sensitive topics for clout or moral posturing.

Ariffin and Raeesah, in their respective roles, failed to grasp the weight of their platforms, treating truth as negotiable when it suited their ends.

As GE2025 looms, Ariffin's candidacy with SDP and Raeesah's retreat from politics highlight divergent paths but a shared lesson: public figures must be held to a higher standard.

Voters in Marsiling-Yew Tee deserve candidates who prioritize evidence over emotion.

Ariffin's fine may close his legal chapter, but his platform’s lapse raises questions about his judgment. Raeesah's resignation, while accountability of a sort, leaves a stain on the opposition’s claim to moral high ground.

Whether in media or Parliament, the duty to verify, clarify, and rectify is non-negotiable.

Anything less is a disservice to the nation.