Workers' Party (WP) leader Pritam Singh urged voters of the newly-created Tampines Changkat and Jalan Kayu SMCs to vote for WP candidates, instead of their PAP opponents who hold top positions within the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC).
Speaking at the WP rally at Temasek Junior College on Apr. 26, Singh noted the high number of PAP Labour members in the last parliament, and asserted it would "not make a difference" to have two fewer such members.
He also opined that Labour MPs who lose their election campaigns could then find a position within NTUC.
PAP members in NTUC
Ng Chee Meng, NTUC secretary-general, is running in Jalan Kayu against the WP's Andre Low, while Desmond Choo, an assistant secretary-general, is running in Tampines-Changkat against Kenneth Foo.
Singh asserted that there are "no shortage" of PAP labour MPs, and voting in those two PAP candidates "will not make a difference."
Instead, Singh invited voters to choose a "more balanced Parliament."
Shamsul Kamar
Singh then highlighted Shamsul Kamar as one such example.
Shamsul, a former PAP candidate, competed in a team against the WP in Aljunied GRC in the general elections in 2015 and lost.
He then took up a role within NTUC. Pritam said:
"He was a school teacher before the elections, and he resigned to contest elections, but after losing the elections (in Aljunied GRC), he found employment in NTUC."
He added, to the laughter attendees, "NTUC is a safe harbour for losing PAP candidates. Just ask Ng Chee Meng!"
However, Ng was elected as secretary-general of NTUC in 2018 by the organisation's central committee, before his GE loss in 2020. He continued in his position as secretary-general.
Singh: Not a single PAP NTUC Labour MP filed a question on proposed Allianz-Income deal
Singh also took aim at the NTUC labour Members of Parliament (MP) for not filing any questions about the proposed deal between German insurance company Allianz and homegrown insurer Income Insurance.
Allianz had made an offer to acquire a majority stake in Income Insurance, but this was called off after the Singapore government opposed the decision following a public outcry.
Singh notedthat "not a single" PAP MP, who was part of the NTUC Labour movement, had filed a question on the issue when it was brought up for discussion in August 2024.
He said:
"My fellow Singaporeans, can you believe that? How is that even possible?
Elected PAP MPs who champion (the) NTUC union and workers, who represent them, should fight hard in Parliament when NTUC issues are raised, particularly issues that Singaporeans are concerned about.
Why were they silent?"
Singh also highlighted how those who ended up in NTUC could continue to champion workers' causes and work for their interests, even when they are not in government.
Singh's follow-up elicited a reaction from the crowd:
"So, Singapore, let us help the PAP candidates in Jalan Kayu and Tampines-Changkat, who are the top leaders in NTUC, to be full-time NTUC union leaders. We should save them from spending time in Parliament and from managing town councils.
If they wish to, they can still lobby the PAP government by virtue of NTUC's symbiotic relationship with the PAP."
Large attendance at JC
The WP rally was marked by a huge crowd that filled up much of the school's stadium and field.
WhenMothership went down to the rally site at about 5:50pm, a queue had already formed outside the JC.
They were allowed to enter the school once it was 6pm.
As the public continued streaming towards the school's field and bleachers prior to the start of the rally, cheers of "Workers' Party! Workers' Party!" could be heard.
At one point, a man could also be seen running beside the bleachers, hyping up the crowd to do a Kallang wave of sorts.
Even when the rally kicked off at 7pm, crowds were still seen streaming in from Tampines East MRT station.
At one point during the rally, people were also seen watching the rally from the nearby flats, as well as the overhead bridge outside the school.
One attendee was also seen painting the scene.
What else was said at the rally?
Faisal Manap: I thank President Tharman and Minister Ong Ye Kung for saying we should have a strong opposition
Faisal, who is one of the candidates for WP's Tampines GRC team, quoted President Tharman Shanmugaratnam's comment about how a strong opposition is good for the PAP and Singapore.
He also noted that in March 2025, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said elections are about producing an effective system of government.
"I would like to thank our president, Mr Tharman, and Minister Ong Ye Kung for acknowledging the need for a strong opposition for the betterment of Singapore," he said, to cheers from the crowd.
He also affirmed his commitment to serve Tampines GRC residents on an equal basis, regardless of race or religion, just as how he had done so for the Kaki Bukit division of Aljunied GRC.
Faisal also made a reference to how he had undergone a medical procedure for a heart attack in 2023.
In a moment that roused the crowd, he said:
"After a while, I realised that the tingling feeling might be due to a medical condition known as 'melting heart'. You have heard about this medical condition? No, it is a condition where I believe any heart started to melt because of so much warmth, support and patience showed by the residents of Tampines in the last few days, welcoming me and my teammates.
It makes me feel like thebalik kampungfeeling!"
"I'm looking forward to making Tampines GRC as my second home for the next five years!" he added.
Michael Thng: The WP has never accepted the "false choices" put forward by the PAP
Another of the Tampines GRC candidates, Michael Thng, spoke about how the WP has never accepted the "false choices" put forward by the PAP.
Thng highlighted:
"The PAP once said that we could not support single mothers, or it would undermine the family unit. We said we can do better, right?
They once said that we that low-wage workers must stand on their own two feet, otherwise they would develop a handout mindset. We said we can do better, right?
They once said that political diversity would threaten political stability, but I know, and you know, that we can build a system that is diverse without breaking it."
Thng added:
"I want a political system where issues can be raised early, openly and constructively, one that has compassion and where Singaporeans see themselves reflected in it, not one where data is withheld from us."
He then made his call for the attendees to vote for the WP.
"We can only win if we do this together, if you get your friends together, your family together, people you kind of know who live in Tampines together, and get everybody to vote for the Workers Party!" he said.
Top image via WP Facebook and Canva
