Advertisement
Singapore election: PM Lee Hsien Loong signals he and senior leaders will stay until Covid-19 abates
- Lee says he will hand over the country ‘intact and in good working order’ as he appealed to voters to give the ruling PAP a strong mandate
- Issues of race and religion, fake news and the government’s Covid-19 response are in focus as the campaign enters final stretch
Reading Time:5 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, contesting what is likely his last general election as the country’s leader, has signalled he will hand over power only after the Covid-19 crisis abates.
Advertisement
During an online rally on Monday, Lee said he was “determined to hand over Singapore, intact and in good working order, to the next team”.
“At this critical moment, Singapore needs a capable government, with the full support of a united people, more than ever,” he said.
Lee’s remarks came as acrimony ratchets up ahead of Friday’s polls, with the long-ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) bearing down on its opponents over a range of issues.
In particular focus is an escalating row over remarks on social media about race and religion made by Raeesah Khan, a 26-year-old candidate in the election standing on the opposition Workers’ Party ticket, with police investigating after a report was filed.
Advertisement
Lee did not address this side plot, but reserved sharp criticism for the 10 opposition parties contesting the polls.
Advertisement