In the afternoon of Nomination Day (June 30), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the secretary-general of People's Action Party (PAP) held a press conference along with other party leaders.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and first assistant secretary-general, Heng Swee Keat, second assistant secretary-general, Chan Chun Sing, and vice-chair Masagos Zulkifli are also present at the press conference.

The press conference took place after the nomination deadline, and Lee addressed a few questions after all the candidates had been unveiled.

Urged Singaporeans to scrutinise candidates and parties carefully

PM Lee noted that every seat is being contested during this election, and the stakes are very high.

He added that while there might be a chance for people to adopt a "flight to safety" mentality during difficult times, he also acknowledged that the ground sentiments are not at their best:

"This is not the happiest of times, people are feeling the pain and uncertainty. The opposition is making the most of that, they are prepared and will not roll over or go away."

At the end of his speech, PM Lee urged people to "scrutinise the parties and candidates carefully" and vote for who can do the best job, instead of "compromise candidates."

"Everything depends on which government you choose and the mandate you've given," he said.

PM Lee also explained that a strong mandate is measured qualitatively, not just determined by the election results.

He described that a strong mandate should make people "feel good" and that they "did the right thing".

"Last election, we (had) a good mandate," PM Lee said.

On deployment of Heng to East Coast

This time round, the PAP has deployed Heng to East Coast GRC, which caught many by surprise. In response to media queries, PM Lee said that he is confident that Heng can deliver in East Coast GRC.

"You fight to win but you'll never ever be certain that you'll win," Lee said in response to deploying Heng to East Coast GRC which garnered a mixed reaction, with some among the public viewing this is a "safer seat" while others think otherwise.

PM Lee also said that Heng's move to East Coast is not a "manhood thing", and that he does not necessarily have to be in the "fiercest battle", but that he is going to where he makes the best contribution to the campaign.

"We never take any voter for granted, every contest is a serious contest," Heng added.

During the press conference, Heng also reiterated that he is thankful for the residents in Tampines who have voted for him for the past two terms.

He expressed confidence in Masagos and his team who will be contesting in Tampines GRC as well.

On new candidates fielded in SMCs

Another notable deployment is that two new candidates are facing off opposition parties in SMCs.

They are Gan Siow Huang, 45, standing in Marymount SMC as well as Yip Hon Weng, 43, standing in Yio Chu Kang SMC.

He also elaborated that the deployment is planned in such a way where the party can "best redeploy [their] chess pieces to bring good service to the residents and put up a good fight at the campaign".

"I spoke to both of them this morning... and I think they are both ready to go," Lee said.

On having two ministers in West Coast

Separately, Lee also addressed the issue of having two ministers in West Coast GRC, S Iswaran and Desmond Lee.

Lee was previously a Jurong GRC MP, but was sent to West Coast GRC this round. This move has driven speculations that this is a move in response to Tan Cheng Bock.

PM Lee said that having two ministers or heavyweights in a GRC is "not a totally surprising thing" as he cited two examples with Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Speaker Tan Chuan Jin and Senior Minister of State for Law and Health Edwin Tong in Marine Parade GRC.

He also cited Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Manpower Minister Josephine Teo standing in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the past.

On opposition

PM Lee also shared that the opposition deployment does not come as a surprise to him as it is "in line with what the tea leaves have shown".

In addition, PM Lee said that while Heng's move to East Coast came as a surprise to members of the public, it is actually part of the party's tactical deployment they had to keep to themselves and wait for the right moment.

Heng will be facing a Workers' Party (WP) team which includes Nicole Seah, who has been in the limelight ever since she was unveiled as a WP candidate.

Lee also mentioned that the increase in the number of NCMPs from nine to 12 in the next term and therefore a "significant opposition presence is guaranteed".

He added also added that he expects NCMPs to participate actively, and in some cases they could even overshadow other MPs.

Top photo via PAP