With PM Lee’s last major speech before handover, election campaigning ‘has started’: Analysts

FUNDAMENTALS AMID CHALLENGES

The Prime Minister also devoted much of his speech to outlining that the three imperatives of social cohesion, long-term planning, and political stability and trust would remain crucial to Singapore in a future riven with geopolitical rivalries and economic uncertainty.

His intention here was to assure the people that the fundamental principles that have served Singapore would continue to carry it forward, analysts said.

“The PAP’s election strategy has from time to time (been) to appeal to voters that in difficult times, they should elect the tested party who have delivered in the past and that they should not rock the boat by voting for the opposition,” said Mr Singh.

He added that Mr Lee wanted to deliver the message that voters “should trust the PAP to help us ride through the difficult time expected ahead”.

Assoc Prof Tan said it was significant for Mr Lee to emphasise “the virtuous circle that has kept Singapore thriving”.

The message was that “in a more precarious future, we must not fall for political fads and political entrepreneurs but instead stay grounded on what truly matters for a small state like Singapore”.

Independent political observer Felix Tan said Mr Lee was also telling Singaporeans to not assume things would stay the same.

He was stressing that in the face of crises, people can depend on the PAP “to bring Singapore to the next level”, said Dr Tan.