I had the opportunity to be a part of Singapore’s General Elections 2020 in a very different way this year. Prior to 2020, I covered our country’s general elections from the confines of the CNA newsroom. This year, I got to be the host and moderator for a series of conversations with the PAP in an online series titled, STRAIGHT TALK with PAP. In this series, I interviewed senior ministers, 4G ministers and the party’s new candidates about a wide range of issues and topics concerning Singaporeans. This was part of the PAP’s online campaign efforts during the hustings.
One of the first conversations looked at how Singapore can navigate an increasingly fractious geopolitical landscape and its impact on our economy and social harmony, with senior minister Teo Chee Hean. While another discussion with minister Masagos Zulkifli centred around Singapore’s plans for sustainability and environment, which will see the roll out of a 30 by 30 express and a Zero Waste Masterplan creating 55,000 jobs over the next decade.
With SM Teo Chee Hean, Christopher De Souza, Saktiandi Supaat and Gan Siow Huang 
With Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Dr Amy Khor and Hany Soh
On 2nd July, I had the opportunity to conduct three conversations and unpacked a whole suite of ideas and initiatives from PAP ministers and candidates.
The first with SM Tharman, Alvin Tan and Sharael Taha centered around how Singapore must respond to a changed global economy and how we can “create our own future” with this new slate. SM Tharman is someone I’ve held in high regard for a very long time so it was an honour to get to speak to him at length during this conversation.
The next interview with NTUC sec-gen, NG Chee Meng and Mohammad Fahmi focused on what the government is doing to support the employability of its workers in different sectors. And we wrapped the evening with a topic close to the hearts of many Singaporeans – housing. Minister Lawrence Wong, Alex Yam and Rahayu Mahzam and I sat down to discuss what the government is doing to improve public housing for all, as HDB turns 60 this year. It was a power-packed day of three weighty topics but that’s one of the challenges I love about this job.
As the conversations continued, we delved into the ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ issues facing Singapore.
I spoke to Minister Chan Chun Sing, Liang Eng Wah and Mariam Jafaar about the current investment climate, how Singapore can continue to attract FDI and what that means for our job market. Followed by a discussion on the opportunities and pathways leading to Singapore’s digital future with Minister Iswaran, Tan Kiat How and Tin Pei Ling. Finally, together with Speaker Tan Chuan-jin and Ng Ling Ling, we explored how Singapore as a nation can step forward and help those in need, and truly foster a spirit of care.
The conversations came fast and furious just as we crossed the halfway mark into GE2020. The past few days felt like an absolute whirlwind for me, in terms of the number of people I met and spoke to at length, and the numerous topics we had to discuss LIVE; I couldn’t imagine what it must have been like for all candidates who were not only canvassing for votes on the ground but who were also constantly being filmed putting out videos, online speeches and rallies just to get their message out there. It was a truly exciting time and a general election like never before.
As we went into the second half of campaigning, I would have to say that one of the best bits about hosting #straighttalkwithPAP was the conversations we had behind the scenes; when there’s a chance to talk to candidates and ministers about the everyday and get a rare glimpse into how they were doing, and how they were taking this general election in their stride.
In the last 4 sessions, I spoke to Minister K Shanmugam, Jessica Tan and President of Singapore Council for Women’s Organisations, Junie Foo, on what protection and laws were being enhanced to protect women & the vulnerable in society. I also sat down with senior minister of state, Chee Hong Tat, Zaqy Mohammad and Edward Chia to discuss what support is being rendered to SMEs and the attributes of a fit and viable business.
Another session centred around youth with Minister Indranee and Sim Ann, two great examples of strong female leadership in Singapore politics. Speaking of female leadership, the PAP fielded the most number of female candidates for this general election. Minister Grace Fu, together with PAP’s new candidates Carrie Tan and Mariam Jaafar also spoke to me about pushing boundaries of women participation in politics in Singapore.
The conversations didn’t stop there! I also had the opportunity to get Minister Gan Kim Yong in the hot seat to talk about healthcare affordability and well-being, together with Dr Lam Pin Min and Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim. And to round off the series, I was joined by Minister Lawrence Wong, together with Dr Tan See Leng and Xie Yao Quan to discuss how Singapore has dealt with the Covid-19 pandemic.
What an incredible ten days that was. Intense, challenging, yet exhilarating all at the same time.
When I left CNA a year ago to start my own company, I never thought I’d be navigating COVID-19 as a new business owner, nor would I have imagined myself being involved in #GE2020 in this way (a year from the day!) but life is FULL of surprises.
To the team that roped me in for this project with the PAP, Thank You! I’ve learned so much and also grown a lot as a person. And what an absolute treat it was to have a front row seat during GE2020.
Till the next GE, it’s a wrap from me!
