The Usual Place Podcast

GE2025: PAP’s new candidates on Nomination Day whirlwind, handling online negativity

Join your host - ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah - (extreme right) in ST's podcast at a new time slot.

Natasha Ann Zachariah

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The 2025 Singapore General Election is in full swing. Political parties confirmed their line-ups across the island on April 23 during Nomination Day, with Polling Day next up on May 3.

The Usual Place - a podcast by The Straits Times

- now moves from a weekly show to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1, a day before Cooling-off Day.

I will share a wrap of what happened the night before, as well as what’s to come in the next few days. There will be expert analysts featured.

But first up, on the living room couch with her in today’s (April 24) livestream are three candidates from PAP: Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50, part of the party’s East Coast GRC team, Mr Daniel Liu, 40, part of its Aljunied GRC team, and Ms Valerie Lee, 39, part of its team contesting the newly created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.

On our next livestream on April 25 at 12pm, candidates from an opposition party will drop by The Usual Place.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:37 Most unexpected experiences about Nomination Day for the trio

8:47 Is there a new vision for the ‘East Coast plan’? Mr Dinesh on the new team to potentially build on DPM Heng Swee Keat’s legacy, if elected

11:43 Mr Liu on the PAP’s Aljunied GRC team having the 3Es - expertise, experience and energy - to lead the constituency, if elected

14:44 What should Aljunied voters make of the fact there are no ‘heavyweights’ in the PAP’s contesting Aljunied team?

16:11 Mr Liu on understanding the bonds in Aljunied GRC, navigating issues and connecting with residents

17:45 Ms Lee on how she plans to stand out in the newly-created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC

21:00 How they are handling their initiation to negative online comments after being thrust into the spotlight suddenly

24:00 Sifting out constructive comments to help the neighbourhood and constituency, motivating family and volunteers who may not be prepared for scrutiny

26:07 Ms Lee on her journey to motherhood and why she opened up on her two previous miscarriages

29:14 Mr Liu and Mr Dinesh on showing some vulnerability in politics

31:20 Is there potential in the system for finetuning issues with mental health for women, in relation to miscarriages?

32:31 Get-to-know-you game time! If you could implement one fun law in SG for one day, what would it be?

Host: Natasha Zachariah (

natashaz@sph.com.sg

)

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