From Sylvia Lim’s innocuous ‘heavenly taste of Fengshan’ to Daniel Goh’s ‘poison pen’ saga, here are the 11 most memorable quotes said so far. (And campaigning for general elections has only just begun!)
1. ‘The taste of Fengshan – heavenly! #reasontowin’
Workers’ Party Chairperson Sylvia Lim in her first Instagram post (14 August)
If Ms Lim’s intention was to provoke the People’s Action Party (PAP), it worked brilliantly. Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Teo Chee Hean responded to the Instagram post with stinging criticism of how the WP only cared about winning constituencies, without being genuinely concerned for the residents. He must have felt tricked when Sylvia did not contest Fengshan.
2. ‘Crocodile tears’
DPM Teo on WP Chief Low Thia Khiang (14 August)
Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew’s resignation was so stunning and unexpected that its fallout reached WP chief Low Thia Khiang and DPM Teo.
Mr Low had extended sympathy and well wishes for Mr Lui, and mentioned that he felt that his resignation might signal a changing culture in the PAP. DPM Teo then accused Mr Low of crying “crocodile tears” to try to take political advantage of the situation.
The irony is, many PAP candidates and leaders like former minister Lim Boon Heng really did cry.
Moral of the story: One’s words are a double-edged sword that can also pierce his own party members.
3. ‘We are not soundbite people’
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) press conference (20 August)
Mr Shanmugaratnam is many a Singaporean’s favourite minister, and his performance at the PAP press conference for the Jurong GRC team further endeared him to the public.
He was referring to how walking the ground is done without the glaring lights of the camera and reporters—in other words, without “soundbites.” Ironically, his became the catchiest one of the entire press conference.
4. ‘Shake it off’
PAP’s Tin Pei Ling, after announcing her candidacy (21 August)
Tin Pei Ling was Public Enemy #1 in 2011 for her perceived immaturity and being parachuted into a GRC. However, she has since managed to earn credibility so much such that the PAP now entrusts her with fighting for a Single Member Constituency (SMC) in MacPherson.
Nobody can accuse her of riding on the back of anchor ministers, as many did when she and then-Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong won Marine Parade GRC four years ago.
If Ms Tin wins MacPherson SMC, it will be to her credit and hers alone.
5. ‘The trolls have won’
National Solidarty Party’s (NSP) Steve Chia in a Facebook statement (23 August)
The NSP performed an amusing U-turn on whether or not to contest the MacPherson SMC. The party had agreed in the opposition parties’ meeting not to contest the constituency, only to change its stance after member Steve Chia’s appeal.
It was then even more stunning when Steve announced that he was pulling out of the race, attributing his decision to “the trolls.” This drew many unfavorable comparisons to Tin Pei Ling’s ability to withstand the critique she has received to become the MP that she is today.
6. ‘Please support me and my team’
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the National Day Rally (23 August)
If PM Lee had said it at a PAP rally, no one would have batted an eyelid.
We all knew that the National Day Rally would have some ulterior political motives, but not many would have expected them to be so thinly-veiled.
7. ‘Replace me in Marine Parade? Let them try’
Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on facing the opposition (26 August)
In criticising the WP’s arrogance, ESM Goh only succeeded in displaying his own.
Moral of the story: Be careful what you say, for those words might easily be turned against you.
8. ‘Poison pen letter’
WP’s Daniel Goh on the rumours of his infidelity (27 August)
If (and it’s a big if) Daniel Goh manages to win a seat, there will be a new phenomenon called the “Daniel Goh Effect”—someone attempts to untruthfully smear a candidate, but instead gives the candidate a platform to show his ability to handle difficult situations, thus winning hearts (and votes). We’ll find out come 11 September.
9. ‘The suicide squad’
The media on the PAP team for Aljunied GRC (28 August)
The PAP team for Aljunied GRC in GE 2011 had two serving ministers in George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua; while the 2015 team consists of a serving MP and four unknowns.
Since the 2011 team lost to the WP, it remains to be seen how much of a chance the much less-heralded 2015 PAP team will do.
10. ‘Katonggate’
NSP’s Facebook page (28 August)
While the NSP had every right to lodge a police report over the supposed break-in into their Katong offices, they could have done without the sensationalistic “KATONGGATE” (sic) headline on its Facebook post.
11. ‘Even if you jeer [at] us, we will improve your lives’
PAP’s Dr Ng Eng Hen on Nomination Day at Raffles Institution (1 September)
From the speech also infamous for new candidate Chee Hong Tat’s fist clenching and chest thumping, this remark by the Bishan-Toa Payoh candidate reeked of overconfidence.
To be fair, Bishan-Toa Payoh indeed seems to be quite safe for the PAP. Many other constituencies aren’t so secure. While Minister for Defence Ng was trying to show how strong PAP is, his words prove that they are indeed feeling the heat.
Check out the second part of our memorable GE 2015 quotes so far!
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