Fathership

“我们看不到前方的路”中国南部遭暴雨和洪水淹没

中国南方部分地区连降暴雨,造成四人死亡、十人失踪。

|1 min read
“我们看不到前方的路”中国南部遭暴雨和洪水淹没

北京——上周末,中国南方部分地区连降暴雨,造成四人死亡、十人失踪。中国政府保持高度警惕,以防天气进一步恶化。 广东省是中国人口密集的制造强省,是此次降雨的重灾区。 珠江干流北江沿岸的城市,如韶关、英德和清远,相继报告了山体滑坡、洪水和人员疏散的情况。 据中国新华社4月22日报道,拥有1.27亿人口的广东,约有11万受灾居民已进行转移。灾害造成四人死亡,十人失踪。 自4月19日以来,广东约有116万户家庭停电。截至4月21日晚,80 %的家庭已恢复供电。 航班和火车多次延误或取消,全省部分学校被勒令停课。洪水导致36所房屋倒塌,另有48所房屋严重受损。 在社交媒体上,一段视频广为流传,视频中一名救援人员站在另一名救援人员的肩膀上,试图营救楼上的居民;同时也有视频拍摄到救援人员将老年居民从楼梯上背下来的画面。 据有关部门估计,山洪造成的直接经济损失达1.406亿元人民币(约合2700万新元)。 广东夏季易发洪涝灾害,但洪涝季节一般从5月开始。该省大部分地区属于地势低洼的珠江三角洲区域,特别容易受到风暴和海平面上升的影响。 20多岁的广州居民毕丽(Bi Li)女士从事牙科工作,她告诉《海峡时报》(The Straits Times),4月20日上午,由于天气原因导致路况不佳,她在韶关参加专业考试时差点迟到。“暴雨、闪电和雷鸣交织在一起,非常吓人。我和司机在去考场的路上甚至看不清前方的路。”4月19日晚前往韶关参加考试的毕女士说。 <img class="“alignnone"> 之后,她的司机不得不绕道避开被洪水淹没的道路,将她送到韶关市火车站。 新华社22日援引国家气象中心的信息报道,中国南方的降雨预计将在未来三天内减弱,但广东和福建两省的部分地区仍将持续降雨。 除了广东省和福建省,该地区的其他省份如广西、江西和贵州在过去一周也遭遇了强降雨。 报道称,多个地区的降雨量创下历史新高,广东未来几天的降雨量可能达到100毫米至160毫米。 报道补充说:“与往年同期相比,预计4月下旬我国南部和西南部大部分地区的降水量将增加50 %至80 %。”4月22日上午,当局表示全国暴雨威胁仍然较高,发布了黄色预警信号,这是中国四级预警信号中第三高的级别。 在广东,直升机、橡皮艇和救援人员已部署到受灾地区,确保居民能够安全撤离或有足够的食物和其他必需品。 居住在广州的42岁新加坡人林先生(Jason Lim)说,自4月19日以来,断断续续的暴雨已造成该市部分郊区发生洪灾。 林先生在一家食品公司担任副总经理,他说周末去邻近的佛山出差时,那里的积水已经淹到了他的脚踝,但道路仍然可以通行。 <img class="“alignnone"> 他说,此次降雨影响了广东省的物流,原本预计于4月22日到达的快递将无法送达。 他说:“由于天气恶劣,快递都延误了,但我预计它们将在未来两天内送达。”新华社称,中国铁路广州局集团提供的铁路服务此前受暴雨影响,现已于4月22日全面恢复。4月19日至21日期间,共有305趟列车因恶劣天气停止运行或不得不折返。

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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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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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Chee Soon Juan's choice of Ariffin Sha raises questions on vetting

No system guarantees flawless candidates, but knowingly selecting a convict pre-election reflects a clearer lapse in judgment.

|2 min read
Chee Soon Juan's choice of Ariffin Sha raises questions on vetting

Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) Chee Soon Juan has made a questionable choice nominating Ariffin Sha, the 27-year-old founder of Wake Up, Singapore (WUSG), to contest Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

The decision is not a minor oversight—it points to a lapse in judgment that may cast doubts on Chee’s fitness for ministerial office.

While the People’s Action Party (PAP) has faced its own scandals involving individuals who were later convicted (Eg. Iswaran), these typically emerge after elections, not before.

Background

In August 2024, Ariffin was fined S$8,000 after pleading guilty to criminal defamation for publishing a fabricated story about KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, falsely claiming a woman suffered a miscarriage due to negligence.

Chee’s response to Ariffin's red flag is has been evasive.

At a press conference on April 13, 2025, he urged voters to focus on SDP’s policies, not Ariffin’s past, and compared the case to former PAP Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin’s resignation over an extramarital affair. The comparison misses the mark: Tan’s personal lapse, while serious, did not involve lawbreaking or public harm.

Chee’s deflection sidesteps the core issue of vetting a candidate with a known conviction.

Leadership requires sound judgement

The PAP is not immune to scrutiny.

Cases like former Transport Minister S. Iswaran’s corruption charges in January 2024 and former Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui’s affair with Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan Jin reveal vetting gaps.

However, these issues emerged after elections. The PAP acted decisively, removing Iswaran from his post and asked both Tan Chuan Jin and Cheng Li Hui to resign.

No system guarantees flawless candidates, but knowingly selecting a convict pre-election reflects a clearer lapse in judgment.

Zero tolerance on misinformation

Ariffin’s case strikes at Singapore’s zero-tolerance stance on misinformation.

In 2024, POFMA was invoked 15 times to correct falsehoods, underscoring the harm of unchecked narratives. Ariffin’s defamation directly contravened this ethos, making his nomination a liability in a constituency where community cohesion is vital.

Residents value reliability in governance. Chee’s oversight suggests a disconnect, potentially eroding confidence in SDP’s ability to address bread-and-butter issues like job security and affordability.

Ariffin’s supporters may cite his work with Wake Up, Singapore, which amplifies marginalized voices, or argue his youth mitigates his error. These arguments carry limited weight.

Public office demands high standards, especially in Singapore, where trust underpins stability.

Ariffin’s conviction reflects a lapse in responsibility, and Chee’s endorsement suggests inadequate scrutiny.

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GE2025 - Here are the key points from WP's manifesto

The 122-page document, launched at the WP headquarters, outlines 125 policy proposals across five key areas: affordability and cost of living, economic growth and opportunities, inclusion and equality, accountability and democracy, and security and geopolitics.

|14 min read
GE2025 - Here are the key points from WP's manifesto

The Workers' Party (WP) released its manifesto for Singapore's 2025 General Election last Thursday (Apr 17) titled “Working for Singapore.”

The 122-page document, launched at the WP headquarters, outlines 125 policy proposals across five key areas: affordability and cost of living, economic growth and opportunities, inclusion and equality, accountability and democracy, and security and geopolitics.

Below is a detailed, reorganized summary of the manifesto’s key points, structured for clarity and coherence.

1. Affordability and Cost of Living

The WP proposes a range of measures to address Singapore’s high cost of living, focusing on transparency, alternative revenue sources, financial safety nets, and affordability of essential services and goods.

  • Transparency in Cost Management: Establish a Standing Parliamentary Committee on Cost of Living to monitor and ensure transparency in addressing living expenses.

  • Alternative Revenue Sources: Reduce reliance on Goods and Services Tax (GST) by:

    • Recognizing revenue from land sales over the first 9 years immediately.

    • Increasing the Net Investment Returns Contribution (NIRC) from 50% to 60%.

    • Introducing taxes on alcohol, carbon, and tobacco.

    • Implementing a net wealth tax of 0.5-2% on the top 1% of wealth holders.

    • Setting a minimum corporate tax rate of 15%.

  • GST Exemptions: Exempt essential items, such as basic food, from GST to lower costs for households.

  • Redundancy Insurance Scheme: Introduce a scheme providing 40% of the last drawn salary for 6 months, capped at 40% of median income, funded by a 0.1% monthly premium shared between employers and employees.

  • Retrenchment Benefits: Mandate retrenchment benefits for private sector employers with 25 or more employees.

  • National Minimum Wage: Set a minimum wage of $1,600 for full-time workers, pro-rated for part-time workers.

  • Tiered Utility Pricing: Implement tiered pricing for electricity and water with a graduated Water Conservation Tax ranging from 30-60%.

  • Healthcare Affordability:

    • Lift the MediSave cap for individuals over 60 to increase access to savings for medical expenses.

    • Introduce the Silver Living Development Scheme for affordable assisted living facilities.

    • Include persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) subsidies.

    • Establish a National Cancer Care Appeals Board to handle complex cancer cases.

  • Housing Affordability:

    • Ensure the Housing Price Index (HPI) ratio is ≤3.0 for first-time Build-To-Order (BTO) buyers.

    • Offer 70-year BTO leases at lower prices with an option to extend to 99 years.

    • Implement a universal buy-back scheme for ageing HDB flats.

  • Support for Local Businesses:

    • Have the National Environment Agency (NEA) manage hawker centres to keep costs low.

    • Have the Housing Development Board (HDB) reacquire coffee shops to control rental prices.

    • Have JTC Corporation expand low-rent industrial spaces for small businesses.

    • Cap rental growth to the rate of inflation.

  • Education Subsidies:

    • Extend preschool fee assistance to all preschools in HDB estates.

    • Equalize Special Education (SPED) school fees to $13 per month.

  • Transport Affordability:

    • Reduce Certificate of Entitlement (COE) volatility by redistributing quotas, categorizing motorcycle COEs by value, requiring private hire cars to be in the Open category, and ensuring equitable Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) 2.0 with discounts.

    • Establish a National Transport Corporation (NTC) to operate public transport on a non-profit basis.

    • Provide free off-peak public transport for seniors and PwDs.

    • Increase subsidies for school buses for students with disabilities.

Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
Revenue AlternativesWealth tax, increased NIRC, new taxesReduce GST reliance, fund social programs
Financial Safety NetsRedundancy insurance, minimum wageProtect workers from economic shocks
HousingAffordable BTO leases, buy-back schemeMake homeownership accessible
TransportNon-profit NTC, free off-peak transportLower commuting costs for vulnerable groups

2. Economic Growth and Opportunities

The WP aims to foster economic growth by prioritizing local talent, supporting small businesses, and preparing for an ageing population through innovative industries and financial reforms.

  • Local Talent Development:

    • Tie Employment Pass (EP) renewals to skills transfer programs to benefit local workers.

    • Introduce fixed-term passes for industries with fewer local shortages.

    • Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for foreign worker employment.

    • Expand intakes at Institutes of Technical Education (ITE), polytechnics, and universities for Shortage Occupation List (SOL) roles.

    • Lower the SkillsFuture mid-career qualifying age to 35.

    • Offer interest-free SkillsFuture education loans for Continuing Education and Training (CET).

    • Allow SkillsFuture Credit to be used for AI subscriptions.

    • Align curriculum with labor market needs through feedback loops.

    • Subsidize tradespersons licensing courses for those under 40 and enforce licensing.

    • Track skills-related underemployment to address workforce mismatches.

  • Support for SMEs:

    • Train managers in leadership skills to improve business efficiency.

    • Benchmark salaries by sector to ensure competitiveness.

    • Streamline grants for green transitions, such as the Energy Efficient Grant.

    • Establish an Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank) to support exports, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), digitalization, and sustainability.

  • Retirement Age Reform: Abolish the statutory retirement age, complementing the Workplace Fairness Act 2025, without affecting the CPF Payout Age.

  • Silver Industries: Develop telemedicine, healthtech, mobility tech, elderly nutrition, and assisted living solutions to cater to nearly 1 million elderly by 2030.

  • CPF Enhancements:

    • Offer an option to co-invest with the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC) for higher returns.

    • Provide special dividends from GIC returns.

    • Review the CPF Ordinary Account (OA) interest rate formula.

    • De-link the HDB loan rate from the CPF OA rate, pegging it to 0.1% above the 3-month fixed deposit rate, with a floor of 2.6%.

Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
Local TalentSkills transfer, education expansionIncrease employability of Singaporeans
SMEsLeadership training, green grantsBoost small business competitiveness
Silver IndustriesTelemedicine, healthtech developmentAddress needs of ageing population
CPFCo-investment with GIC, revised interest ratesEnhance retirement savings

3. Inclusion and Equality

The WP seeks to promote social equity by addressing poverty, supporting vulnerable groups, and ensuring fair access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.

  • Social Outcome Tracking: Publish a developmental dashboard covering GDP, inequality, participation, health, and climate goals; adopt the ILO Social Protection Framework; issue annual reports.

  • Poverty Line: Set an official poverty line through a committee with government, civil society, and academia; peg assistance thresholds to this line.

  • Support for Parents and Caregivers:

    • Extend childcare leave per child up to age 12.

    • Establish Family Care Leave of up to 6 days per year, with the first 3 days employer-paid.

    • Provide additional leave for multiple care recipients.

    • Compensate caregivers with tiered payments and CPF contributions.

    • Expand the Home Caregiving Grant to $600 per month for Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs).

    • Create a single support point for parents of disabled children.

    • Expand the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC).

    • Expand respite care with subsidies for lower-income families.

    • Offer tax relief for employers with re-entry programs.

  • Gender Health Gap: Include peri/menopausal check-ups and physiotherapy subsidies in Healthier SG, and provide support for mothers.

  • Dental Care: Expand subsidies and allow MediSave use for dental care from age 60 by mid-2026.

  • Polyclinic Access: Increase walk-in slots at polyclinics for seniors and PwDs.

  • Education Reforms:

    • Reduce class sizes to 23 (from 29-33, compared to OECD’s 21-24).

    • Implement later school start times: primary at 8:00 am, secondary at 8:30 am, post-secondary at 9:00 am.

    • Offer an optional 10-year through-train programme from Primary 1 to Secondary 4, eliminating the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

    • Introduce a Teach for Singapore scheme for dual-trained teachers.

    • Centralize tuition for low-income students on school premises with Edusave incentives.

  • SkillsFuture for PwDs: Enhance SkillsFuture programs to better support persons with disabilities.

  • Housing for Singles: Lower the minimum age for buying BTO flats for singles to 28.

  • Ethnic Integration Policy: Abolish block quotas while retaining neighborhood quotas.

  • Foreign Spouses: Implement a points-based residency system with transparent rejection reasons.

  • Workplace Fairness:

    • Require employers with 10 or more employees to report gender pay gaps.

    • Ban non-compete clauses for mid- and low-level employees.

    • Enhance the Workplace Fairness Act to better protect PwDs.

    • Revert the Working Mother’s Child Relief (WMCR) to a percentage-based system with a $1,000 tax credit for mothers earning less than $25,000.

  • National Holidays: Reinstate Thaipusam as a national holiday, bringing the total to 12 holidays.

Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
Poverty ReductionOfficial poverty line, social outcome trackingTarget aid to those in need
Caregiver SupportExtended leave, financial aidEase burden on families
Education AccessSmaller classes, no PSLE optionImprove learning outcomes
Workplace EquityGender pay gap reporting, no non-compete clausesPromote fair employment practices

4. Accountability and Democracy

The WP proposes reforms to strengthen democratic institutions, enhance transparency, and ensure fair elections and governance.

  • Accountability Mechanisms:

    • Establish an Office of Ombudsman to investigate complaints and publish annual reports.

    • Set up Select Committees for each ministry to oversee operations.

    • Form a non-partisan Parliamentary Budget Office to evaluate policy proposals.

    • Reform the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR) to be non-political with fixed terms.

    • Enhance the Ministerial Code with independent assessments by the Auditor-General and judges.

    • Regulate lobbying with a public register.

  • Voice and Agency:

    • Lower the voting age to 18 to increase youth participation.

    • Safeguard the independence of institutions like the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), Elections Department (ELD), and Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) under multi-partisan oversight.

    • Prohibit close relatives or political appointees from holding key positions in these institutions.

  • Anti-Corruption and Elections:

    • Reconstitute the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) as the NACC, led by an independent Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and CEO, overseen by a multi-partisan Parliamentary Committee.

    • Ensure ELD and EBRC operate independently from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

  • Electoral Reforms:

    • Abolish Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP), and Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) schemes.

    • Revert all GRCs to Single Member Constituencies (SMCs).

    • Require parties to field multiracial slates.

    • Amend Article 49 to hold by-elections within 3 months for vacant SMCs.

  • Presidency Reforms:

    • Revert to a ceremonial President appointed by Parliament.

    • Establish a separate Senate for discretionary powers.

    • Allow Parliament to overturn Senate veto with a three-quarters majority.

  • Local Governance: Abolish the Office of the Mayor and devolve its roles to other structures.

  • Advertising Transparency:

    • Require public sector and political advertising to declare sponsored content, disclose spending, measure effectiveness, and apply ROI tests.

    • Mandate political parties and candidates to disclose payments to digital content creators.

  • Labor Rights:

    • Allow independent trade unions.

    • Review the tripartite system.

    • Permit workers to form non-NTUC associations.

  • Information Access:

    • Institute a Freedom of Information Act for citizen requests.

    • Declassify National Archives after 25 years, with “Secret” material subject to requests.

    • Release Cabinet papers after 40 years.

    • Publish government population projections for 2040 and 2050.

Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
GovernanceOmbudsman, independent oversightIncrease accountability
Electoral SystemAbolish GRCs, revert to SMCsEnsure fairer elections
TransparencyFreedom of Information Act, lobbying registerEnhance public trust
Labor RightsIndependent unions, non-NTUC associationsEmpower workers

5. Security and Geopolitics

The WP proposes reforms to strengthen judicial independence, enhance public safety, promote environmental sustainability, and bolster national defense and diplomacy.

  • Judicial Reforms:

    • Enhance judicial oversight of ministerial decisions under acts like the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) and Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), with court appeals and in-camera proceedings for national security.

    • Protect judicial independence by removing fixed-term Judicial Commissioners.

    • Amend the Administration of Justice Act to remove government immunity.

    • Restore the “real risk” threshold for scandalizing the judiciary.

    • Separate the Attorney-General’s roles into Public Prosecutor and Government Legal Advisor.

    • Raise judges’ retirement age from 65 to 70.

    • Have capital cases decided by a tribunal of two judges with unanimous decision.

    • Remove the mandatory death penalty.

  • Policing and Scams:

    • Enhance scam protections with an insurance scheme, a $500 consumer liability cap, and a Scam Victim Restitution Fund.

    • Have the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) enforce standards.

    • Safeguard arrested persons’ rights with legal information, early lawyer access, and video-recorded interviews.

    • Establish an Independent Police Complaints Commission.

  • Community Organizations:

    • Depoliticize taxpayer-funded organizations.

    • Abolish the Grassroots Advisor (GRA) position in the People’s Association (PA), led by neutral civil servants.

    • Foster ground-up National Sports Associations (NSAs).

    • Create an independent arts body for licensing and grants.

  • Environmental Sustainability:

    • Balance urban development with stronger environmental laws.

    • Monitor land use and designate secondary forests as reserves.

    • Conduct public Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

    • Increase renewables to 30% by 2030, 40% by 2035, and 50% by 2040.

    • Track natural capital in national income.

    • Preserve forests and mangroves.

    • Address greenwashing.

    • Make public EIAs and Environmental Management and Monitoring Plans (EMMPs).

  • Anti-Discrimination:

    • Legislate against discrimination.

    • Survey workplace harassment.

    • Criminalize uncovered behaviors.

  • National Defense:

    • Strengthen countermeasures against grey zone tactics.

    • Increase surveillance.

    • Enhance defense agreements.

    • Promote media literacy in schools and National Service (NS).

    • Protect subsea interests.

    • Enhance repair capabilities.

    • Implement psychological fitness assessments like the US Army General Assessment Tool (GAT).

    • Provide resilience training.

    • Defend digital space with Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) integration.

    • Establish a vulnerability equities process.

  • Security Budgets:

    • Raise National Servicemen Full-time (NSFs)’ salaries to the median $1,600 per month, renamed “NS salary” with CPF contributions.

    • Ensure equal opportunities in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

    • Provide fair representation.

    • Increase transparency in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) budget, currently $23.44 billion for FY2025, with $22.0 billion for military expenditure, broken down into equipment, maintenance, allowances, and salaries.

    • Grant Public Accounts Committee access.

  • Internal Resilience:

    • Maintain domestic manufacturing for essentials.

    • Grant legislative powers for emergencies.

    • Increase local farm uptake to 30% of nutritional needs by 2030.

    • Establish long-term contracts with institutional buyers.

    • Repeal the Internal Security Act (ISA).

    • Replace ISA with an anti-terrorism law with limited detention and court trials.

  • Diplomacy and Trade:

    • Strengthen ASEAN with majority voting, enforcement, collaboration, and people-to-people exchanges.

    • Support Myanmar stability via the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus.

    • Enforce arms export bans.

    • Support maritime peace in East Asia.

    • Encourage adherence to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

    • Finalize the South China Sea (SCS) Code of Conduct.

    • Recognize the State of Palestine and support a two-state solution.

    • Establish a Singapore Agency for International Development for Official Development Assistance (ODA), focusing on Southeast Asia.

Policy AreaKey ProposalIntended Impact
Judicial IndependenceSeparate AG roles, remove mandatory death penaltyStrengthen rule of law
Public SafetyScam protections, police complaints commissionEnhance consumer and citizen protections
EnvironmentIncrease renewables, preserve forestsPromote sustainability
DiplomacyStrengthen ASEAN, recognize PalestineFoster regional and global stability

Conclusion

The WP’s manifesto builds on its 2020 manifesto, retaining unimplemented proposals and introducing new ones based on resident feedback.

The party emphasizes that its policies are developed independently of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), focusing on gaps in existing systems.

While the WP’s proposals are ambitious, their feasibility depends on parliamentary support and economic conditions.

For instance, the wealth tax and GST exemptions may face resistance due to fiscal implications, while electoral reforms like abolishing GRCs could spark debate over representation.

The WP’s focus on affordability and equality resonates with public concerns, but implementation would require careful prioritization and collaboration.

Read next article ⬇️

China, Israel's foreign agents may conduct disinformation campaigns for S'pore's GE2025

China aims to dominate ASEAN by leveraging Singapore’s diplomatic influence and cultural ties, while Israel seeks to preserve its strategic alliance with Singapore - one of very few countries still allied with Israel in ASEAN.

|6 min read
China, Israel's foreign agents may conduct disinformation campaigns for S'pore's GE2025

Disclaimer: This analysis is a speculative exploration based on geopolitical trends, historical patterns, and open-source intelligence.


Foreign interference isn’t a conspiracy theory; it’s a global reality, from Russia’s 2016 U.S. election hacks to China’s whispered influence in Australia.

Singapore, a tiny island with outsized influence, is a high-value target. Its role as a global financial hub, with approximately S$5.4 trillion in assets under management makes its electoral outcome a matter of international consequence.

China

China, Singapore’s largest trading partner with S$150 billion in bilateral trade in 2022, has strong incentives to influence GE2025.

As ASEAN’s diplomatic anchor, Singapore influences regional policies critical to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and South China Sea claims.

A government aligned with Beijing would enhance its dominance in Southeast Asia, where Singapore’s neutrality is a linchpin.

Moreover, Singapore’s military training partnerships with Taiwan make it a target for China’s efforts to suppress Taiwanese independence narratives.

Past disinformation campaigns

China has a well-documented history of disinformation:

  • Taiwan: Beijing has used deepfakes and propaganda to discredit Taiwanese leaders and deter voters from supporting independence, targeting Chinese-speaking communities to sow division, as reported by regional security experts.

  • Philippines: China has promoted narratives portraying itself as a constructive regional actor while casting doubt on U.S. reliability, aiming to weaken U.S.-Philippine ties, per the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

  • Singapore (2017): A notable incident involved Huang Jing, a U.S. citizen and academic at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, who was expelled in August 2017 for acting as an agent of influence for a foreign country, widely understood to be China. Huang used his position to share privileged information with foreign intelligence operatives and attempted to influence Singapore’s foreign policy, per MHA.

Potential impact in Singapore

Singapore’s 74% ethnic Chinese population and economic ties with China create vulnerabilities to disinformation.

AI-generated deepfakes on platforms like Meta and Tiktok could depict candidates disparaging Chinese culture, alienating voters.

Cyber operations might target journalists of alternative and mainstream media outlets, while covert funding through Chinese business networks or clan associations could support pro-China candidates.

The October 2024 deepfake video targeting former President Halimah Yacob, falsely showing her criticizing the government, underscores this threat.

The 2020 case of Dickson Yeo, a Singaporean sentenced in the U.S. for spying for Chinese intelligence, further highlights Beijing’s use of local operatives, though Yeo claimed no disloyalty to Singapore.

Why Singapore?

Singapore’s diplomatic leadership in ASEAN and military ties with Taiwan make it a strategic target.

China’s ambition to dominate ASEAN relies on influencing key players like Singapore, whose neutral stance could shift regional dynamics if manipulated.

Disinformation could erode public trust or promote candidates aligned with Beijing’s goals.

Israel

Israel, a key defense partner supplying Singapore with technologies like the Iron Dome, seeks to maintain a government supportive of bilateral ties.

As one of Singapore’s few ASEAN allies alongside Thailand, and with neighbors like Malaysia and Indonesia holding anti-Israel stances, Singapore’s pro-Israel policies are crucial.

A change in government could disrupt defense cooperation or weaken Israel’s Southeast Asian foothold, where Singapore is a diplomatic and technological hub.

Past disinformation campaigns

Israel’s disinformation efforts, particularly since the Gaza war, have aimed to shape global narratives:

  • U.S. Lawmakers (2024): Israel funded a $2 million campaign through Stoic, a Tel Aviv-based firm, using 600 fake social media accounts to target 128 U.S. Congresspeople with pro-Israel messaging. Active as of June 2024, it employed AI tools like ChatGPT and fake news sites to attack UNRWA and influence policy (The New York Times, June 2024).

  • Gaza War propaganda: AI-driven bot farms spread false narratives to dehumanize Palestinians and pressure policymakers, as reported by The Intercept in February 2024 (Gaza: Israel, Netanyahu, propaganda, lies, Palestinians).

  • Meta censorship: Israel secured the removal of 38.8 million pro-Palestinian posts on Meta platforms by April 2025, aligning with efforts to suppress criticism (Dropsite News).

  • Specific falsehoods: Misleading claims, such as audio evidence in the Gaza Baptist Hospital massacre, highlight tactical disinformation (Euronews, February 2024).

Potential impact on Singapore

Israel’s cyber capabilities, exemplified by tools like Pegasus and Graphite used in Singapore pose a threat.

While the 2024 Graphite spyware from Paragon Solutions was reportedly halted, Israel’s history with Pegasus—sold to various governments—suggests that comparable tools remain active.

Disinformation campaigns might target Singapore’s Malay-Muslim community (15% of the population) to counter anti-Israel sentiments, using bots on platforms like Meta.

Covert lobbying through defense or tech partnerships could subtly influence policy.

Why Singapore?

Singapore’s status as a rare ASEAN ally makes it a linchpin for Israel’s regional strategy.

A pro-Israel government ensures sustained defense cooperation and counters regional hostility.

Disinformation could protect these ties by shaping elite perceptions or neutralizing anti-Israel narratives.

Singapore's defense capabilities

Singapore has fortified its electoral process against disinformation:

The FICA law was in the news recently when four members of one of Singapore's richest families were designated as "politically significant persons" for their membership to a China political advisory body. MHA had emphasised that the four individuals had not engaged in any “egregious activity”. As such, their designation can be seen as a pre-emptive move to guard against any potential vulnerabilities to foreign interference.

Also last year, FICA was invoked to block 95 social media accounts linked to self-exiled Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, the first time that the account restrictions directions under FICA were being deployed.

Foreign disinformation poses a significant threat to GE2025.

China aims to dominate ASEAN by leveraging Singapore’s diplomatic influence and cultural ties, while Israel seeks to preserve its strategic alliance.

Singapore’s FICA, cybersecurity, and public resilience provide a strong defense, but sustained vigilance is critical.

Enhanced cyber audits, monitoring of foreign networks, and public education will ensure Singapore’s vote remains untainted.

As GE2025 approaches, the nation’s commitment to sovereignty will determine its success in countering these threats.