Impassioned speeches & muddy fields: WP's 1st rally of GE2025 at Sengkang

The Workers' Party (WP) held their first rally for the 2025 General Election on Apr. 24.

Located at a field along Anchorvale Crescent, a large crowd turned up despite having to stand and trudge through the mud.

Quite a number of people were clad in various shades of blue, toting WP flags, umbrellas and yellow inflatable hammers.

The crowd comprised a mix of young and old, across different races.

Folks staying at the surrounding buildings were also seen spectating from their balconies.

Large crowds of people could still be seen near the rally site and heading there, even after the rally had started.

Meanwhile, business was booming for a lok lok stand that had been set up outside the field.

Rousing speeches

At around 7:45pm, the entire slate of WP candidates — save for WP chief Pritam Singh — appeared on stage to loud cheers.

New face Eileen Chong was the emcee for the event, while speeches were given by a mix of familiar and new faces — Yee Jenn Jong, Gerald Giam, Dennis Tan, Alexis Dang, Siti Alia Mattar, Jackson Au, Harpreet Singh, Andre Low, and Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik.

Sengkang GRC incumbents Louis Chua, Jamus Lim and He Ting Ru also gave rousing speeches, which the crowd responded to with enthusiastic cheers.

Rising costs of living, GST and housing were the issues that dominated the speeches.

Au, who will be standing in Punggol GRC, gave a particularly impassioned speech.

Au started off by sharing that he was drawn to the WP, and he stopped being a "keyboard warrior".

He also commented on the way he believed the People's Action Party (PAP) treats "differing but well-meaning voices".

"They say you shouldn't be nativist. While many Singaporeans feel increasingly deprioritised and anxious about their jobs.

They say the Singaporean dream is about more than material success, while many young families struggle to buy their first home or start a family.

They say they welcome feedback, but only if it's constructive. They say they want a diversity of views, as long as your views align with theirs."

Au also responded to the PAP's narrative of losing too many seats in Parliament, describing it as a "threat".

"They tell you there is too much at stake," he said.

"Herein lies the messaging problem I spoke about earlier. The PAP is sending you a message of fear. [...]

I do not believe in the politics of fear, I believe in the politics of hope."

Au concluded his speech with a reference to the hit show "Game of Thrones":

"Can a man still be brave if he is afraid? That is the only time a man can be brave.

So I say this to you, my fellow Singaporeans, let us be brave. Let us vote without fear and vote for hope. Vote for the Workers Party!"

Surprise appearance

Meanwhile, Singh made a surprise appearance on stage to raucous cheers at around 8:50pm.

However, it wasn't to give his speech. Singh said he would deliver his speech later, but that there was a "hazardous situation outside" with rallygoers crowding along the pavements.

Singh disappeared after calling on people to move further into the field, so that everyone can have a "good rally [and] a safe rally".

He then reappeared to round off the rally with a 15-minute speech.

Singh noted how the WP has been a "force for good".

"We coalesce as one people with Singaporeans in the face of danger. The Workers' Party has proven itself to be a loyal opposition in Parliament, loyal not to the PAP. Loyal to Singapore and the people of Singapore."

As Singapore transitions into a new world order, Singh said that the WP will provide independent ideas "to break through the group think of the PAP".

Singh also took shots at the ruling party:

"When elections come, the PAP brings out Labubu, teddy bears, ice cream, fish eggs, and the latest, toothbrushes.

But if the PAP wins big, and you have a parliament with only opposition NCMPs, the PAP won't need to listen to Singaporeans.

The PAP will claim to have a strong mandate, by which it means it can do whatever it wants."

He then highlighted the PAP's decision to "turbocharge" GST in a time of inflation.

"It can make such serious errors of judgment in timing and then give out teddy bears, ice cream and toothbrushes," Singh said.

As such, how can residents show they disagree with the PAP, Singh asked rhetorically. They can vote for the WP, he answered.

Top photo by Khoo Wen-en and Workers' Party/YouTube