Some surprises, pointed jabs at opponents as hustings cross midpoint

After six days of hustings, and with four days to go before Singaporeans cast their votes on May 3, some surprises have emerged.

- Goh Yan Han Political Correspondent Ng Wei Kai

With high stakes and the clock ticking, candidates have also turned the intensity up a notch, making quippy back-and-forths, sharp-tongued rebuttals and pointed jabs at their opponents.

Heading into GE2025, pundits had expected fiery rematches in East Coast and West Coast-Jurong West GRCs. After all, these had seen the closest margins of victory for the ruling party in the last election.

Instead, it's heating up in Punggol and Tampines GRCs and Jalan Kayu SMC. Other areas being watched include the single-seat constituencies of Tampines Changkat and Bukit Panjang.

GRCs and SMCs aside, several issues — municipal and national — have also come to the fore since Nomination Day on April 23.

Some examples: The ruling PAP's call for a strong mandate that will put Singapore on solid ground to navigate an increasingly troubled world, foreign interference and identity politics, and the failed sale of Income Insurance to German insurer Allianz.

BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS

It's worth noting where the big guns have appeared and where parties seem to be focusing their resources.

On the PAP side of the house, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean has made his rounds, with several appearances, including at the Punggol and West Coast-Jurong West GRC rallies.

At the Marsiling-Yew Tee rally on April 24 and lunchtime Fullerton rally on April 28, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong took special care to highlight the importance of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to his team — not just for his experience in Cabinet and in managing Covid-19 or the economy, but as his "right-hand man".

On the Workers' Party side, party chief Pritam Singh has fronted doorstops with the media every day so far, standing alongside the nominated line-ups.

The parties' big guns have also come forward to give their candidates a boost in Punggol, where unexpected Nomination Day deployments have been the root of the excitement.