GE2025
Shanmugam also spoke highly of the new Nee Soon team.
Tan Min-Wei
April 29, 2025, 11:30 PM
Minister for Law and for Home Affairs K Shanmugam spoke at the People's Action Party (PAP) rally for Nee Soon GRC candidates on Apr. 29.
There, he spoke about the challenging international economic situation that Singapore faces in the near future and heavily praised Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong's contributions to the government.
Not waiting for trouble
Shanmugam acknowledged the concerns that many residents of Nee Soon had, suggesting that there were significant worries about the cost of living, jobs, and the current situation in the international economy, such as the tariffs imposed by the United States.
The uncertainty surrounding the tariffs meant that companies were choosing to wait and see what would happen rather than invest, which would, in turn, negatively affect job creation.
Singapore, Shanmugam said, was not a country that waited for trouble, but instead intended to "prepare beforehand".
"This is a serious business. In this rally, you don't get fun and games, you get serious issues talked about."
Quiet, but very effective
It was in light of this uncertainty that the Prime Minister had formed an inter-ministerial committee, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, Gan Kim Yong.
Gan was moved to Punggol GRC on nomination day where he faces a strong contest from the Workers' Party (WP).
PAP leaders and WP candidates have traded barbs about Gan since campaigning began in earnest.
The WP suggested that it was unnecessary for Gan to be returned to parliament, and the PAP praised Gan's effectiveness and his vital role.
Shanmugam did not directly address the contest that Gan was facing but he did talk up Gan.
Shanmugam called Gan a "quiet but very effective" man with whom he had worked closely during the Covid pandemic.
Good talks, and trust
He pointed to the work that Gan had been doing as part of the interministerial committee, saying that Gan, as the head of MTI, had spoken with his U.S. counterpart Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Gan and Lutnick had discussed tariffs on "important exports" from Singapore to the United States, such as computer chips and pharmaceuticals.
"I can say, without going into details, the first few discussions between DPM Gan Kim Yong and Secretary Lutnick have been good, because there is trust."
Those discussions were the beginning of a long road where both men would try to "find a solution" and, if successful, would ultimately save jobs and businesses.
"So we can all hope that if DPM Gan remains in government after the third of May, he can play the role of saving jobs in Singapore."
Healthcare hub of the North
Shanmugam listed the growth of Nee Soon under his stewardship, such as the area becoming the "healthcare hub of the North".
He also touted the expected improvements that the area would enjoy in the upcoming years, such as the proposed Seletar MRT line, 27 km of cycling paths, and even free jacuzzis at Nee Soon East Oasis water park.
Shanmugam also spoke highly of the team that he had assembled for the 2025 GE, which had four new faces.
In particular, he noted Syed Harun and Goh Hanyan, saying that he had "high hopes" that they would be appointed officeholders in time.
"So if this team gets elected, and if the Prime Minister has space and he thinks like I do, which sometimes is the case, then you will have three officeholders in Nee Soon."
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Top image via Mothership
