In a press conference on June 29 introducing the Ang Mo Kio GRC People's Action Party team, party leader Lee Hsien Loong also responded to questions from the media.

During the press conference, a reporter asked Lee:

"There are opposition parties who have spoken about a potential wipeout, with all 93 seats going to the party (PAP) in parliament. What is your assessment of the PAP's chances in the election and also your response to the argument that maybe voters should try to avoid this situation?"

On June 28, Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh had said in a press conference unveiling the party's manifesto that there was a real risk of a "wipeout" for the opposition this GE.

Talk of 'opposition wipeout' is a tactic: PM Lee

Lee said that he does not see opposition wipeout "as a realistic outcome".

He added that there's a "certain balance" in Singapore and he does not think that the balance will be "completely upset" in this election.

He also called it a "tactic" used by the opposition.

He talked about the Workers' Party being "overconfident" previously, saying that they hope to form the government one day, but "voters showed that they were not ready for it".

This time, Lee said that they are trying to "do the opposite", by saying that "they will lose", and hope that through reverse psychology, people would vote for them to make sure this does not happen.

Calling for election now

PM Lee also explained his decision to call for an election during this period. He said:

"I think this is a hard fight. Because although we are in a crisis, people want a strong government, at the same time, many people are hurting badly."

There are "real problems on the ground" that people are concerned about, which includes the concern that they would not be able to find a job, or keep their source of income.

And that's why they have called for an election now, so that they can do something decisive about it, he explained.

Top photo screenshot via Ang Mo Kio GRC/FB, Mothership