PAP secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong said in a July 1 speech that the government Singaporeans elect must be able to take the country safely through the current Covid-19 crisis and economic downfall.

In a video uploaded by the People's Action Party (PAP), PM Lee stressed that this 2020 General Election (GE2020) is critical for Singapore's future.

Government and people must trust each other

He said that there are two critical elements to get Singapore through this pandemic:

1. The best possible leadership for Singapore
2. A solidly united population that gives the leaders they have chosen full support

"Our success depends on the government and people working together and trusting each other," he said.

PM Lee then went on to applaud the Multi-Ministry Taskforce (MTF) in charge of the Covid-19 crisis for its "heroic" effort thus far.

He explained that he had placed the younger ministers in charge of the MTF to train and prepare them for the future.

"They are directing our response to Covid-19. This is not a dry run nor even a live firing exercise. This is deadly serious real life crisis management in an unprecedented global crisis."

He also said that the younger ministers have proven that they are "up to the task".

Must save jobs and businesses for Singaporeans

An equally essential task for the government, according to PM Lee, is to restart Singapore's economy after this crisis.

The external environment would be unstable, and the the worst of the economic downturn is yet to come, he said, especially since the virus is surging again in the U.S. and elsewhere.

There will be more retrenchments, said PM Lee, and one key focus of the government in the coming months and years must be jobs.

The elected government must be able to save jobs and businesses so that Singaporeans can continue to make a living.

"All these are massive challenges. Our lives, our jobs, and our future are at stake," added PM Lee.

You can watch his full speech here: