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Netizens scrutinise potential “vote-buying” as Lee Hsien Loong distributes goodies to AMK residents

Ahead of Chinese New Year, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with residents of Ang Mo Kio GRC on 12 January, presenting around 400 low-income seniors with a red packet containing S$150 in cash and S$50 in Sheng Siong supermarket vouchers.

However, some netizens have raised concerns, questioning whether the distribution could be seen as a form of “vote-buying” ahead of the 2025 General Election (GE2025).

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SINGAPORE: Ahead of Chinese New Year, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong met with residents of Ang Mo Kio GRC on Sunday (12 January).

More than 400 seniors from low-income households gathered at Teck Ghee Community Club from 8 am to receive red packets from him.

SM Lee, who is an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, presented each senior with a red packet containing S$150 in cash and S$50 in Sheng Siong supermarket vouchers.

The seniors also received a bag with chicken essence and mandarin oranges.

SM Lee wished residents a prosperous Chinese New Year in English, Mandarin, and Malay during the Teck Ghee Hongbao Presentation Ceremony, where he also chatted with seniors.

Following the event, he spent nearly two hours engaging with stall owners and residents at 409 Ang Mo Kio Market and Food Centre.

In a Facebook post, SM Lee commented that the latest tranche of CDC vouchers released last week should be just in time for CNY.

“I hope you will find the vouchers useful and continue to support our neighbourhood merchants, ” Lee added.

Netizens Criticise Potential “Vote-Buying” Tactic Ahead of GE2025

However, comments on The Straits Times Facebook post have seen some netizens raising critical questions, scrutinising the ang pao and voucher distribution as potentially a form of “vote-buying” aimed at securing support for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) ahead of the 2025 General Election (GE2025).

Some have questioned the source of the funding for such distribution, calling for transparency and wondering whether the funds came from Lee Hsien Loong’s personal allowance or from the town council’s budget.

Others have expressed concern over the escalating cost of living, with some noting that retirees are facing significant financial difficulties.

A comment highlighted how their retirement savings had been severely devalued, leaving them able to purchase far less than before.

The next General Election must be held by November 2025, as Parliament must be dissolved by 23 August 2025 due to the constitutional five-year limit on its term.

According to the Constitution, a General Election must be held within three months of Parliament’s dissolution.

Earlier, the Elections Department (ELD) announced on 2 January 2025 that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) has not yet been formed.

The EBRC plays a crucial role in every election cycle, reviewing and adjusting Singapore’s electoral map based on population changes and housing developments to ensure equitable voter distribution across electoral divisions.

While some experts anticipate a mid-year election, the timing of Singapore’s 14th general election will likely align with significant national events, including the country’s 60th anniversary of independence (SG60) in August 2025.

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