Cost of living and economic concerns are understandably at the top of voters' minds this general election, but discussions should focus on solutions, not just debating points, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan on April 25.
Speaking to The Straits Times after a walkabout near Holland-Bukit Timah GRC where he is incumbent PAP MP, Dr Balakrishnan said these are real issues, but not unique to Singapore. Singapore needs to remain united and strong to navigate these challenges, he added.
Asked for his take on the points raised by opposition parties on the rising costs of living, the economy and housing during the rallies on April 24, Dr Balakrishnan said that it was a "completely reasonable assessment" for parties to assume that these were issues of concern for voters.
But debates should focus on solutions, he said.
"We need to expand economic opportunities for Singapore companies and Singaporeans. We need not only to deal with the current uncertainties, but we also need to deal with the medium- to long-term challenges," said Dr Balakrishnan, adding that there are both risks and opportunities on the horizon.
The primary risk is that Singapore becomes uncompetitive or irrelevant to the world, said the minister, who has helmed the Foreign Affairs portfolio for almost a decade.
He added: "Opportunities (arise) because in this kind of uncertain, turbulent world, actually a safe haven, a reliable place, a confident, united people, is all the more necessary, and all the more attractive to investors around the world.
"We mustn't be paralysed by fear. We musn't be divided by anger."
During their rallies on April 24 - the first ones held on the campaign trail - parties such as the WP, PSP and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) also called for more opposition voices in Parliament to act as a check to the Government.
Responding to their views, Dr Balakrishnan said: "My view is that the opposition is here to stay. There will be (alternative) voices in Parliament."
The central question this election is not whether there will be opposition voices, he said.
"The fundamental question (is) who is going to be the Prime Minister of Singapore? Who is going to be available to be part of his team? Who is going to be generating the solutions, and negotiating the agreements and opening up new business and opportunities?" Dr Balakrishnan added.
In this election, Dr Balakrishnan is leading an unchanged slate comprising Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and National Development Sim Ann, and MPs Christopher de Souza and Edward Chia.
The team will have to defend their seat against opposition party Red Dot United (RDU), which is making their first attempt to contest a constituency that the SDP tried to wrest from PAP in the last three elections.
The RDU team consists financial consultant Fazli Talip, piano teacher Emily Woo, assistant engineer Sharad Kumar, and operations manager Nizar Subair.
On the third day of hustings, Dr Balakrishnan and the incumbent MPs was seen greeting the breakfast crowd at Ghim Moh Road Market and Food Centre on a joint walkabout.
Accompanied by Dr Balakrishnan's wife and about 20 volunteers, the Holland-Bukit Timah GRC PAP team gave out flyers and canvassed for residents' support.
After the walkabout and a round of house visits at Bukit Panjang, Dr Balakrishnan boarded the LRT to Bangkit to greet residents before their Friday prayers at the Al-Iman mosque.
The area is under Bukit Panjang SMC, where incumbent MP Liang Eng Hwa is facing his same opponent in the 2020 election - SDP chairman Paul Tambyah.
During the last election, the Holland-Bukit Timah PAP candidates showed their support for Mr Liang, and in some instances threw their weight behind him as they campaigned as a team.
When asked for his thoughts on his campaign in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC so far, Dr Balakrishnan - who has been in the ward for two decades - smiled and said: "I'm on home ground."
He said he believes in building relationships and trust with residents on the ground, and what counts in the end is being available and committed to residents.
"(As) Foreign Minister, I have been travelling a lot. But I would like to believe that my residents know me, and they know that I am always available to the best of my abilities," he said.
