Singapore's Political Future: Risky to Oust Progressive Action Party Candidates Who Will Drive the Nation Forward, Asserted Prime Minister Wong in GE2025 Context
Rewritten Article:
Looking at Singapore, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong posed a question to voters on Saturday, April 26. He asked if this is the optimal time to take risks by potentially losing future leaders who could steer Singapore for the next 10 to 20 years.
At a People's Action Party (PAP) rally for the Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and Bukit Gombak Single Member Constituency (SMC), Mr. Wong, who is also the party's secretary-general, pointed out that the opposition would persuade voters to disregard providing more seats to the opposition, insisting it would push the ruling party to work harder.
However, Mr. Wong stressed that an increase in opposition seats would actually "erode the PAP team's strength."
He mentioned several prominent Cabinet ministers who have retired, such as Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean, Maliki Osman, and Ng Eng Hen. Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam had also stepped down earlier, he noted.
While it is common knowledge that Heng Swee Keat resigned from his position as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister in April 2021 due to age and health-related reasons as well as stepping down as the PAP's 4G leader, there have been indications from Teo, Osman, Eng, and Shanmugaratnam that they may step aside or retire from politics in the near future, particularly after the 2020 General Election or in 2023-2024. Shanmugaratnam notably left his cabinet post in 2023 to run for President of Singapore in 2023 and subsequently won the presidency, necessitating his resignation from Cabinet.
For the most accurate and current information about these ministers retirement or stepping down, official announcements from the Singapore government or recent reports in the media would be the authoritative sources.
- Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized during a rally that an increase in opposition seats might weaken the PAP team, as several prominent members like Heng Swee Keat, Teo Chee Hean, Maliki Osman, Ng Eng Hen, and Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam may retire or step down from politics in the coming years.
- Mr. Wong explained that the opposition would attempt to persuade voters to grant more seats to them, thereby compelling the PAP to work harder, but he warned that this could erode the PAP's strength.
- In the General Election of 2025, the implications of potential losses for future leaders could pose serious risks to Singapore's policy-and-legislation and politics.
- Due to the possible retirement or stepping down of senior Cabinet ministers like Chua Chu Kang, Bukit Gombak, and Parliament issues in the near future, it is crucial for voters to make informed decisions based on accurate and current information from official Singapore government announcements or general news sources.
