Generate not just heat but light, incumbent upon us to provide solutions: Chan Chun Sing on campaigning

Education minister Chan Chun Sing has offered his two cents' worth on negative politics.

Over the past two nights, jabs flew between the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Workers' Party (WP), with each side admonishing the other at rallies and doorstop interviews for supposedly engaging in negative politics.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a walkabout at Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market, Chan advised a return to the core issues in this election campaign, namely, what the election's about and how the candidates can help Singaporeans overcome challenges and seize opportunities in a troubled world.

"I think there will be arguments back and forth," said Chan.

"But I really hope to see that, throughout these debates, discussions, we will generate not just heat, but light."

Light, said Chan, refers to solutions that can help Singaporeans decide who they want as their representative in Parliament.

"To me, positive campaigning is about presenting the electorate with the options...It's not just about generating heat without light."

Using the example of a Chinese phrase, 怒气三丈 解方全无 (to increase one's anger without providing tangible solutions), Chan said, "That's not positive campaigning."

Top image: Loh Hui Si