GE2025: Debates on issues like cost of living should focus on solutions, says Vivian

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SINGAPORE - Cost of living and economic concerns are understandably at the top of voters’ minds this general election, but discussions should focus on solutions, not just debating points, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on April 25.

Speaking to The Straits Times after a walkabout near Holland-Bukit Timah GRC where he is an incumbent PAP MP, Dr Balakrishnan said these are real issues, but not unique to Singapore. Singapore needs to remain united and strong to navigate these challenges, he added.

Asked for his take on the points raised by

opposition parties on the rising cost of living

, the economy and housing during the rallies on April 24, Dr Balakrishnan said it was a “completely reasonable assessment” for parties to assume that these were issues of concern for voters.

But debates should focus on solutions, he said.

“We need to expand economic opportunities for Singapore companies and Singaporeans. We need not only to deal with the current uncertainties, but we also need to deal with the medium- to long-term challenges,” said Dr Balakrishnan, adding that there are both risks and opportunities on the horizon.

The primary risk is that Singapore becomes uncompetitive or irrelevant to the world, said the minister, who has helmed the Foreign Affairs portfolio for almost a decade.

He added: “Opportunities (arise) because in this kind of uncertain, turbulent world, actually a safe haven, a reliable place, a confident, united people, is all the more necessary, and all the more attractive to investors around the world.

“We mustn’t be paralysed by fear. We mustn’t be divided by anger.”

During their rallies on April 24 – the first ones held on the campaign trail – parties such as the WP, PSP and

Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)

also called for

more opposition voices in Parliament

to act as a check on the Government.

Responding to their views, Dr Balakrishnan said: “My view is that the opposition is here to stay. There will be (alternative) voices in Parliament.”

The central question in this election is not whether there will be opposition voices, he said.

“The fundamental question (is) who is going to be the prime minister of Singapore? Who is going to be available to be part of his team? Who is going to be generating the solutions, and negotiating the agreements and opening up new business and opportunities?” he added.

In this election, Dr Balakrishnan is leading an unchanged slate comprising Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development Sim Ann, Mr Christopher de Souza and Mr Edward Chia.

The team will have to defend its seats against opposition party Red Dot United (RDU), which is contesting for the first time a constituency that the SDP tried to wrest from the PAP in the last three elections.

The RDU team consists of financial consultant Fazli Talip, music teacher Emily Woo, assistant engineer Sharad Kumar, and operations manager Nizar Subair.

On the third day of hustings, Dr Balakrishnan and the incumbent MPs were seen greeting the breakfast crowd at Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre during the walkabout.

Accompanied by Dr Balakrishnan’s wife, Mrs Joy Balakrishnan, and about 20 volunteers, the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC PAP team gave out fliers and canvassed for residents’ support.

After the walkabout and a round of house visits in Bukit Panjang, Dr Balakrishnan boarded the LRT to Bangkit to greet residents at Al-Iman Mosque before their Friday prayers.

The area is under Bukit Panjang SMC, where incumbent PAP MP Liang Eng Hwa is facing his same opponent from the 2020 General Election – SDP chairman Paul Tambyah.

During the last election, the Holland-Bukit Timah PAP candidates showed their support for Mr Liang, and in some instances threw their weight behind him as they campaigned as a team.

When asked for his thoughts on his campaign in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC so far, Dr Balakrishnan – who has been in the constituency for two decades – smiled and said: “I’m on home ground.”

He said he believes in building relationships and trust with residents on the ground, and what counts in the end is being available and committed to residents.

“(As) Foreign Minister, I have been travelling a lot. But I would like to believe that my residents know me, and they know that I am always available to the best of my abilities,” he said.