GE2025: SM Lee said – “Downplaying the loss of PAP ministers is WP’s ridiculous argument”
Singapore, 29 April 2025 – Singapore’s Senior Minister and former Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday described the recent remarks of Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh as “ridiculous”. These remarks were given in the context of General Election 2025, where the political battle between WP and PAP is heating up rapidly.
SM Lee said that Mr. Singh gave an argument that is far from reality – he implied that if some senior ministers of People’s Action Party (PAP) lose the election, it will not make much difference to governance. Lee strongly rejected this logic and said that this is “absolutely useless” reasoning.
What did Pritam Singh say?
Over the weekend, WP leader Pritam Singh gave a statement in which he said:
“If PAP is saying that they need 90% seats for proper governance, it means that PAP is already weak.”
He also said that even if key ministers lose, the system will still run. He gave an example that when George Yeo, who was the Foreign Minister at that time, lost the 2011 General Election, even then Singapore’s foreign policy did not lose its direction.
Pritam Singh was saying all this in response to a rally speech by PM Lawrence Wong. Lawrence Wong had said during a rally in Chua Chu Kang on Saturday night that if more opposition MPs come, some potential ministers could be lost, which would weaken the strength of the PAP.
SM Lee’s reply: “We have to say such things because their target is Gan Kim Yong”
On Sunday, SM Lee warned in his rally that if key ministers like Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong lose the election, Singapore could face “a lot of trouble”.
Gan Kim Yong has now been deployed in the newly created Punggol GRC, where he is facing an impressive line-up of WP along with a strong PAP team. Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh is also contesting the election on behalf of WP.
On Tuesday, SM Lee was on a visit to Aljunied GRC (which has been with WP since 2011). When reporters asked him for his response to Mr. Singh’s statements, he immediately replied: “This is a ridiculous argument.”
“Every team has a key player”
Lee said that in every political or professional team, some people play critical roles and some play complementary roles. He said:
“If it doesn’t matter who is in the team, then a strong government should be formed with anyone. Then you don’t need talented people.”
He clearly pointed out that Pritam Singh is saying all this because his aim is to “knock out” Kim Yong. SM Lee said:
“They cannot say that Kim Yong is a valuable minister, but still vote for me. That is why they have to say that the presence or absence of a minister does not matter.”
2025 Elections: Ministers vs Opposition
This time in the General Election, many ministers are in the field, who are contesting in some new GRCs. In areas like Punggol GRC, where PAP has deployed experienced leaders, the opposition has also fielded top lawyers and professionals. This has become a high-stakes political battle.
Lawrence Wong said in his speech that ministers do not just play ceremonial roles – their presence or absence directly impacts national policies and decision-making.
SM Lee also emphasised that losing ministers means their experience and leadership will be lost from Singapore’s political system, which can be dangerous for any modern government.
WP’s counter: “Singapore is run by a system, not just people”
WP says Singapore’s strength is not just in ministers, but in the system. Pritam Singh said:
“If one minister loses, the whole ministry or the country will collapse.”
They said that having an opposition in Parliament is important – it provides checks and balances, and is essential for a healthy democracy.
What do voters say?
Public opinion is divided at this time. Some people believe that having experienced ministers is important, especially in uncertain global conditions. On the other hand, some people believe that strengthening the opposition is also important for democratic balance.
Some people also say that if ministers are really valuable, then their election victory should be natural – without any fear-based appeal.
As GE2025 gets closer, this debate is going to get even more intense. This exchange between SM Lee and Pritam Singh is not just a political statement, but a sin.