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Letter to Aljunied GRC voters

Dear Voters of Aljunied GRC,

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve you as your MP over the past five years. Getting to know you has been the privilege of my life.

Over these years, you’ve faced a global pandemic, rising prices and daily pressures. But through it all, I’ve seen your resilience, your warmth and your hope — not just for yourselves, but for the next generation. That gives me hope too. Hope that, as we walk forward together, our best days are still ahead.

I’ve given my best to live up to the trust you placed in me. If I’ve fallen short in any way, I seek your understanding — and your honest feedback, so I can keep learning and serve you better.

Today is the final day of this campaign. I sincerely ask for your vote on 3 May.

With your support, my teammates and I can continue caring for your neighbourhood, and continue being your voice in Parliament.

Your vote is secret. So please vote with your heart. Vote with confidence. Vote for the future you want to see.

Yours faithfully,
Gerald Giam

GE 2025 Rally: Town Council Management

I wish all workers of Singapore a happy Labour Day! Residents’ of Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang, five years ago, you gave the Workers’ Party the privilege to serve you. To all our dear residents — thank you for walking with us.

Tonight, I would like to report on what we have achieved together and explain why we are ready to go further, to serve in Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines-Changkat — if you give us that chance.

All the candidates for Aljunied and Hougang — Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, Dennis Tan, Fadli Fawzi, Kenneth Tiong and myself — have served as town councillors in Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC). Abdul Muhaimin, our candidate for Sengkang, is currently a senior property manager for projects and lifts.

Unlike most PAP town councils, AHTC and Sengkang Town Council are directly managed by our town councillors and staff — not a managing agent. We are hands-on, with real experience solving daily challenges of town management.

Despite rising costs across the board, both Town Councils ended the last term on solid financial footing. Both also received all-green ratings in MND’s latest Town Council Management Report.

These results are not just numbers. They reflect the hard work and professionalism of our town council staff, and the cooperation of residents who care deeply about their neighbourhoods.

We have plans to upgrade linkways, playgrounds and lifts – and make our town more liveable for all.

To voters outside Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang — come take a walk through our towns. Talk to your friends living here. You will find that WP-run estates are clean, orderly and quietly well-managed.

Moreover, when you vote for WP candidates, you are not just choosing town managers. You are electing voices who will speak up for you in Parliament, without being bound by the Government Whip.

The Government Whip requires PAP MPs to vote with their party, even if they personally disagree.

You may have heard one of the PAP candidates say Aljunied has had “14 years without a PAP voice”. But let’s get real — Singaporeans already hear the PAP voice every day. The PAP held almost 90% of elected seats in the last term of Parliament. Their Ministers are featured daily in the news. The PAP voice is loud and ever-present.

What’s missing is your voice. A voice that asks tough questions. That proposes alternatives. That speaks up for you, even when it is inconvenient for the government.

That is the voice the Workers’ Party offers.

In Parliament, we have spoken up on the issues that matter to you — cost of living, job security, housing affordability, healthcare, and caregiver support. We have called for stronger worker protections, greater transparency, and more accountability. And some of these efforts have eventually helped shape policy.

Before I go on, let me address something that still weighs on some voters’ minds — the secrecy of your vote.

I want to assure you: your vote is secret. I’ve contested four general elections, and I’ve followed the entire voting process end to end — until the incineration of the ballot papers. At every stage, safeguards are in place to protect the secrecy of your vote.

So when you go to the polling station on May 3rd, vote with your heart. Vote with confidence. No one will ever know how you voted.

Let me address three more fallacies you may have heard during this campaign, so you can vote with greater clarity.

Fallacy No. 1: A stronger opposition will weaken the government.

A weak government is one that cannot pass laws without opposition support — that means winning fewer than half the seats in Parliament. Is that even possible in this election?

In GE2020, the PAP won 83 out of 93 seats. WP won 10. No other opposition party has won an elected seat after 2006.

This time, WP is contesting 26 seats. Even if we win them all, the PAP would still hold a supermajority, with 71 seats — well above the 49 seats needed to form the government.

Singapore will not end up with a weak or unstable government.

Fallacy No. 2: More opposition means more fighting in Parliament.

We do not fight, shout or name-call in Parliament. We debate with facts and logic. Yes, debates may take longer, but that’s how Ministers are held accountable and policies improved.

Even with a stronger Workers’ Party presence, the PAP will be able to pass any law or constitutional amendment. What a stronger Workers’ Party gives you is better scrutiny and a more responsive government.

Fallacy No. 3: The opposition is only talk.

WP has been running town councils for 34 years. For the past five years, we have cleaned and maintained all HDB estates in Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang. We run house visits, Meet the People Sessions and events with our dedicated volunteers – many of whom are here tonight.

We do this all without the $634 million budget of the People’s Association that PAP MPs and defeated candidates can tap on.

During the Covid-19 crisis, we stepped up to work with the government and kept our residents informed and supported.

That is not “just talk”.

Yes, we do talk — in Parliament. That’s our job. And we have punched above our weight in numbers.

In the last five years, our eight WP MPs asked more than 2,300 parliamentary questions, debated 45 bills and motions, and sought clarifications on 34 ministerial statements — including the Ridout Road case, the ACRA-NRIC issue, and the Income Insurance bid from Allianz.

This is what you get when you elect a serious, responsible opposition.

Now, we are ready to do more.

We are fielding candidates who are qualified, grounded and committed to serving you. Give them your trust, and they will serve with dedication and heart.

If you have friends or family who are still undecided, share with them what you have seen, heard and felt tonight. Forward our social media posts. Tell them why a vote for the Workers’ Party is a vote for a more balanced Parliament — and a better Singapore.

Let us build on what we’ve achieved in Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang — and take the next step up to send a clear message from Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines-Changkat:

That Singapore wants a Parliament that listens – and a rational, responsible and credible opposition.

And that the Workers’ Party is ready to serve.

On May 3rd, let’s make history together.

Vote for the Workers’ Party.

Vote for the party that is Working for Singapore.

Is Your Vote Secret?

There is one concern I hear from voters that I want to address head-on — the fear that your vote isn’t secret.

I’ve contested four general elections and I can assure you with full confidence: Your vote is secret. 投票是秘密的。

When you go to vote and present your IC at the polling station, you will hear the election official call out your serial number and name. Don’t worry. This is to allow polling agents — who are volunteers from both WP and PAP — to tick off your name to record your presence — not your vote. This prevents double voting.

When you vote, you walk to the polling booth alone. You put a “chop” on the box next to your preferred party. No one can see your vote.

At the counting centre, candidates and counting agents from all contesting parties are present to observe the count to ensure that everything is done correctly.

Once the count is complete, the ballot boxes are sealed and locked in the Supreme Court vault. Only a court order can release them — and this has never happened in Singapore’s history.

Six months later, representatives from all the contesting parties return to the vault to witness it being unlocked. We inspect the seals and confirm they haven’t been tampered with. Then we accompany the boxes to Tuas Incineration Plant, where they are burned — in full view.

“But the ballot paper has a serial number,” some may ask. That number is there to prevent fraud like ballot stuffing. Your vote remains secret because there is no opportunity for anyone to match your marked ballot paper with the electoral register, because the only time the ballot papers are seen by anyone is at the counting centre.

Ballot papers are placed face-up so that only the vote is visible. The serial number stays hidden.

I know there are many well-meaning opposition supporters who have doubts about the secrecy of the vote and do not hesitate to tell you so. Not only is this untrue, but could scare people from voting for the party they prefer.

Your vote is secret. And every vote matters.

If you are a civil servant, NTUC member, or simply worried that voting opposition will land you or your family members in some trouble, I will say this to you: Vote with confidence, not fear. Vote for what you think is right, and for the candidate and party that you believe will best serve your family and your nation.

I believe these are the candidates that the Workers’ Party has fielded in General Election 2025.

This was adapted from my speech at the Workers’ Party election rally on 24 Apr 2025. I would like to thank the thousands of civil servants who are doing their best to ensure Singapore has a free and fair election.

MCCY: Raising World-Class Athletes

Committee of Supply debate 2025, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth

I declare my interest as a parent of a child in a high performance sports programme run by Sport Singapore (SportSG).

I congratulate Yeo Jia Min and Loh Kean Yew on their stellar performance in the recent German Open badminton tournament. They and other Team Singapore athletes have blazed a trail for many more young athletes to follow.

The level of competition in world-class sport is fierce, with elite athletes dedicating their youth to training and competing. Winning at the highest level requires early talent identification, top-tier coaching and strong athlete support.

These student-athletes take a different path from their peers in mainstream schools. Training 20 to 30 hours a week and travelling frequently for competitions while studying is extremely demanding. Not all can enrol in the Singapore Sports School because its 10 academy programmes may not match the athletes’ sport. SportSG and National Sports Associations (NSAs) must work more closely with mainstream schools to give student-athletes greater flexibility in their schedules while ensuring they keep up academically.

Finances are a major hurdle to developing world-class athletes. Most costs, especially in the early years, fall on parents. Joseph Schooling’s parents reportedly spent some $1 million on his training, education, accommodation and travel on his road to winning an Olympic gold. How many families can afford that? Without external funding, we risk limiting our talent pool to the wealthiest households. Funding need not come solely from the government; corporate and private sponsors can help. SportSG and NSAs should play a bigger role in securing and connecting athletes with sponsorship opportunities. Even modest sponsorship of equipment, clothing or travel can help to develop potential talent.

Young athletes and their parents need clearer guidance and structured pathways so that they don’t navigate the system alone. More support should be provided to help parents make informed decisions about their child’s sporting and academic future.

Smaller NSAs may lack the expertise and resources for world-class coaching and athlete development. In such cases, SportSG should provide more guidance and oversight to support athletes and help them achieve their full potential.

World-class athletes are developed through years of rigorous training, not talent alone. If we are serious about competing on the world stage, we must put the right structures, pathways and financing in place for our athletes to train, develop and win.

MSF: Compensating Family Caregivers

Committee of Supply debate 2025, Ministry of Social and Family Development

Family caregivers provide unpaid care, often at great personal cost. Many sacrifice their careers, drain their savings, and push through exhaustion and sometimes even abuse to care for their loved ones, often at the expense of their own well-being. Without them, the healthcare burden on the state would be far greater.

The total value of informal care for seniors aged 75 and above is estimated at $1.28 billion annually, equivalent to 11% of government healthcare expenditure, according to a study by researchers from Duke-NUS Medical School.

I appreciate that the Home Caregiving Grant is being increased to up to $600 per month. However, the current system still assumes that caregiving is a private responsibility, with the government only coming in to provide relief.

We need a fundamental shift in recognising family caregiving as essential work that deserves proper compensation, not just relief. Caregiving should be a shared responsibility between individuals, families and society, with its costs partly socialised rather than falling mainly on caregivers.

To put this into action, I propose a tiered caregiver payment for those who reduce their work hours or leave employment to care for a family member, provided they meet a minimum caregiving threshold. They should also receive CPF contributions to safeguard their long-term financial security.

Caregiving should also be recognised as skilled work. A national certification framework should be introduced to provide formal training and better employment opportunities for caregivers, especially after they return to the workforce.

Caregivers are the backbone of our long-term care system. If we truly value their contributions, we must compensate them fairly. This is not just about doing more, but doing things differently to prepare Singapore for an ageing society.

MOH: Preventive Dental Care

Committee of Supply Debate, Ministry of Health, 7 March 2025

MediSave generally does not cover dental treatments unless they involve surgery and are medically necessary. Non-surgical procedures like extractions, crowns, dentures, and braces are not MediSave-claimable.

Singaporeans are not seeing their dentists regularly enough. Over 50% of Singaporeans visit a dentist at least once a year. However, 40% of these visits are for reactive treatment rather than preventive care. This means many seek dental care only when they experience pain, often leading to more complex and costly procedures.

I’m also concerned about tooth loss among seniors. About 13% of those over 60 years old are completely toothless. Edentulism impacts the nutrition, social confidence and overall well-being of our seniors.

The Ministry of Health launched Project Silver Screen in 2018 to provide functional screening, including oral health checks, for seniors aged 60 and above. How effective has this programme been in addressing dental health issues among older Singaporeans? Are there plans to expand or improve it?

Oral health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet it is not included in the Healthier SG programme. Studies have shown that poor dental health is linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes complications. Preventive dental care should be encouraged to reduce these long-term health risks.

I urge the Ministry to review how dental subsidies are structured, expand MediSave coverage for essential treatments and integrate dental care into Healthier SG. More public awareness efforts are also needed to ensure that all Singaporeans seek regular check-ups instead of waiting for problems to arise. Making dental care more affordable and accessible will improve the well-being of all Singaporeans.

MOE: School Sports for All

Committee of Supply Debate 2024, Ministry of Education

Getting into a school sports team can be very competitive these days. Schools usually hold trials to select only the best athletes to represent them at the National School Games.

Many students want to take up sports like badminton, basketball or football as their co-curricular activity (CCA) in school, only to be disappointed that they can’t get a place in the CCA. Some are left with no choice but to join a CCA they have little interest in.

To cater to students who want to play sports for leisure but lack formal training, schools should open up more recreational sports CCAs for popular sports. Many schools already do this, but some still don’t.

To manage limited resources, schools could adjust the number of CCA places to match demand. This way, schools can ensure that every student who wants to participate in sports at their skill level has the opportunity to do so.

On the other end of the spectrum, top performing student-athletes who have the potential to represent Singapore at international competitions are often still required to train with their school sports teams.

High-performance sports training usually takes place outside of school at training programmes run by National Sports Associations or private academies. These student-athletes should have the option to be excused from school training and competition so as to better focus on becoming world-class athletes who can compete on the world stage and win medals for Singapore. They should still be allowed to earn LEAPS 2.0 points while doing so. I will discuss the sports aspect of this further in my cut at the MCCY Committee of Supply debate.

MFA: Navigating US-China Relations

Committee of Supply Debate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
3 Mar 2025

Singapore’s most pressing foreign policy challenge today is managing the escalating rivalry between the United States and China. As a small state with an open economy, Singapore is highly vulnerable to disruptions from this great power competition.

Balancing strong military and economic ties with the US, with deep economic links with China requires careful diplomacy, strategic autonomy and economic adaptability.

To mitigate these risks, Singapore should diversify its economy by strengthening trade and investment ties with ASEAN and the EU, as well as with India, Japan, South Korea and other growing economies, ensuring these relationships are based on stable and predictable legal and institutional frameworks.

Changes in US engagement in Asia and rising military tensions with China create new security challenges for Singapore. To strengthen its defence resilience, Singapore should strengthen its defence partnership with the US while expanding security cooperation with more countries, including with our some of neighbours in Southeast Asia. At the same time, Singapore must continue building up the capability and competence of the SAF to ensure it remains a credible deterrent against emerging threats.

Building diplomatic goodwill through bilateral engagement and assistance will also be important in winning international support for Singapore in times of crisis.

MFA should expand efforts to educate businesses, NGOs and the public about our strategic interests through town halls and closed door briefings. It could also make better use of social media, podcasts and short videos to ensure foreign policy messaging reaches wider domestic and international audiences.

Could the Minister outline what MFA is doing in these areas and how it plans to strengthen such efforts?

MSE: Free or Low-cost Drinking Water

Committee of Supply Debate 2025, Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment

4 March 2025

More restaurants now charge for plain water, and some price bottled water the same as sugary drinks. This nudges consumers towards sugar-laden beverages, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes.

Free or low-cost drinking water should be made more widely available across F&B outlets, shopping malls, heartland coffeeshops and public spaces. This supports healthier choices and reduces unnecessary costs for consumers.

I urge MSE to encourage and work with F&B outlets, coffeeshops, and malls to provide free or low-cost drinking water as a best practice.

MSE should also promote a culture of carrying reusable water bottles as part of Singapore’s sustainability efforts. Refilling reusable bottles cuts down our reliance on single-use plastics.

By nudging businesses, building owners and the public towards these norms, we can help Singaporeans stay hydrated while making choices that benefit their health, their wallets, and the environment.

MINDEF: Making NS Value-accretive

Committee of Supply debate in Parliament, 3 Mar 2025

National defence is the primary goal of National Service (NS), but NS should also be an investment in human capital. MINDEF should transform NS into a value-accretive experience for our National Servicemen by ensuring appropriate remuneration, relevant training, and stronger education and career integration.

First, Full-time National Servicemen’s (NSFs) pay should reflect their contributions to national defence. The median NS allowance should be raised to at least $1,600 per month. NSFs in their second year are fully trained, performing operational roles essential to Singapore’s security, yet they continue to receive an “allowance” rather than a salary with CPF.

The argument that duty and employment are mutually exclusive is flawed. SAF regulars are paid market salaries while serving the same national defence mission. NSFs make personal sacrifices, delaying their education, career and—consequently—sometimes even marriage and children, because of NS. Pay that acknowledges these realities will strengthen their commitment to national defence.

MINDEF should also help NSFs transition smoothly to further education by coordinating with universities to reduce delays between their ORD and the start of their studies.

Finally, NS training should, where possible, incorporate training that can benefit NSFs’ future careers, including skills training that can be applied in both military and civilian settings. This way, NS can serve as a launchpad for future opportunities rather than an educational and career detour.