GE2015: People's Action Party's second party political broadcast

SINGAPORE — People's Action Party's (PAP) Lee Hsien Loong today (Sept 10) delivered the party's second political broadcast. Here is the full transcript:

My Fellow Singaporeans

Tomorrow, you will cast your vote. You will be deciding our future as a nation.

During the campaign, you would have heard many views and proposals from many parties. Before you vote tomorrow, please consider: What future do you want for yourself and your children?

This  year,  we celebrate  50  years  of  independence and progress. Together, we brought Singapore from Third World to First. At SG50, we are starting a new chapter. Now we must decide which way we want Singapore to go. Are we satisfied with where we are now, or do we take Singapore higher, and create something lasting for our children?

I believe all of us want to climb higher, because that is the Singapore spirit. Singaporeans do not settle for less than the best. If our pioneers had not resolved to build a better Singapore, we would not be here today. We must never be content just to get by. If ever Singapore is no more than ordinary, we will be bypassed and forgotten. We must keep faith with one another and with our children, so that our next 50 years will be even better than the last 50 years.

As a “little red dot”, we have to keep a watchful eye on the outside world. ISIS and terrorism are at our doorstep. The bomb attacks in Bangkok last month could very well happen to us. The Bangkok attacks may have links to Indonesian terrorist groups, and some of these Indonesian groups have shown interest in attacking Singapore. Next week, there will be an anti-Bersih rally in Malaysia, with serious racial undertones.  If Malaysia is unsettled, we will be affected. In the South China Sea, if Chinese and American planes collide by accident, tensions will rise. We will be in a difficult spot if we are forced to choose between our friends.

I cannot promise you an easy journey. But I am confident we can navigate safely through the storms. Together, we have overcome tough odds throughout our history. Despite the challenges, our lives got better with each passing year.

Whom do you trust to make this journey with you? Over the past nine days, across Singapore, PAP candidates have knocked on doors, held rallies, engaged you and asked for your support. You know us because we have been on the ground working with you and for you, for many years, often decades. I thank you for the many kind words of support we have received. Your support and encouragement boosts our confidence that we are on the right track, and making a difference to you.

What is the Singapore that the People’s Action Party wants to build with you? A nation where elderly lead dignified lives; where the middle-income have their burdens lightened; where the needy and disadvantaged are given an extra  hand; and where tomorrow is always better than  today. One of the leading cities in the world, where the human spirit flourishes, and Singaporeans, young and old, can chase rainbows and build a better world.

I am confident we can achieve this together. Whatever the PAP promised to do, we have done. For seniors, we have reduced medical bills through the Pioneer Generation Package and MediShield Life, to give you greater peace of mind. For young couples, we launched 100,000 flats, enhanced housing grants and the marriage and parenthood package, and provided affordable, high quality childcare. For the young, we are making every school a good school, and opening up more pathways and opportunities. We strengthened our social safety nets – ComCare, Workfare, Silver Support – so that no one is left behind. We are helping workers to upgrade through SkillsFuture. Singaporean wages have risen across the board, unlike in most developed economies.

We have a full and exciting agenda ahead. We are building new hospitals – Sengkang Hospital, and Yishun and Outram Community Hospitals. SIT’s new campus will add buzz and character to Punggol Town. By 2030, 8 in 10 people will live within a 10 minute walk of an MRT station. Jurong Lake District is being transformed into a vibrant business hub, to bring more jobs closer to where you live. When Tanjong Pagar Port moves to Tuas, we will build the Southern Waterfront City, three times the size of Marina Bay, where Singaporeans can live, work and  play. After Paya Lebar Airbase moves to Changi, the entire Eastern part of Singapore will be transformed. Your support will help us to make all this happen.

As the People’s Action Party, we put people at the heart of all that we do. The PAP will always serve the best interests of Singaporeans, both for today and for tomorrow. Unlike some opposition parties, we do not write ourselves cheques that our children will have to pay.  We do not make empty promises that we cannot fulfil.

The PAP will always stand for clean and honest politics.  We take a hard stand against corruption and wrong-doing. When we discover anything wrong, we will bring it out into the open, and take steps to put things right.