Opposition has done nothing of significance for S'pore in a crisis, PAP's leaders have proven themselves: Jeffrey Siow

People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Chua Chu Kang GRC and former civil servant Jeffery Siow spoke at a rally in Chua Chu Kang GRC on Apr. 26, where he said that the opposition had "no experience".

Siow said that opposition parties that had accused the PAP of "overblowing" the current global trade crisis were "wrong", and warned that a "storm is coming"

He also advocated for the leaders of the PAP, touting their experience during times of crisis, saying that not only had they led the country through them, but that Singapore had "emerged stronger every time".

A "storm" coming

Siow started by saying that he would tell attendees why their vote in the upcoming election was so important.

During his house visits, Siow said, residents were concerned about United States president Donald Trump raising trumps, the state of the economy and the possibility of a recession.

Siow related that he had seen "these shifts in the world" happen gradually over time, but that things were moving significantly faster now than before.

He related his experience in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, how global trade was unravelling, and how the international laws that had protected small countries like Singapore were becoming less effective.

Siow said SME leaders had shared their concerns with him, and he warned that when businesses were pessimistic, it meant less investment, which led to lesser and slower growth and fewer jobs.

Siow appealed to the audience to "please do not listen to the opposition when they tell you that 'all this is overblowing it and there is nothing to worry about".

"They are wrong.

This is serious, a storm is coming, and that is why your vote in this election matters so much".

No experience and done nothing

He asked whether other countries would respect Singapore if the PAP government did not get a mandate from Singaporeans.

"Do you think leaders like Trump and Xi Jinping will negotiate or even bother with us?"

Responding to shouts of "no" from the attendees, he said "That's right, 'no' is the answer. After all, Singapore is just a small red dot."

Siow said that Singapore required "strong leadership and steady hands" and recounted his experience working with and for ministers such as the then PM Lee Hsien Loong, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, and Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng.

These leaders, Siow said, had made "tough decisions", but were only able to do so because they had the trust and support of Singaporeans.

He then turned his guns on Singapore's opposition.

"The opposition has no experience, has done nothing of significance for Singapore in a crisis." 

Mandate

Siow said the PAP's leaders, by contrast, had time and again proven themselves in multiple crises, such as September 11, the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, SARS, and Covid.

"Not only did they lead us through these crises, Singapore emerged stronger every time."

Siow promised that the PAP's team in Chua Chu Kang would do their best to build a better home with residents.

He asked voters to give PM Lawrence Wong's new team their support and to "give us a strong mandate so that the world can see that Singaporeans are united and will not be easily shaken."

Top image via Zaobaosg/YouTube