GE2025: PPP’s Goh Meng Seng accuses WP of betraying voters over Marine Parade walkover

SINGAPORE: At a campaign rally held on 24 April 2025 at Temasek Junior College in Tampines, People’s Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng sharply criticised the Workers’ Party (WP) and its leader Pritam Singh. Goh accused the WP of betraying voters in the Marine Parade-Braddell Heights Group Representation Constituency (GRC) by not fielding a team there. This decision led to a walkover win for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). “There is no good strategy for WP contesting Tampines GRC,” said Goh during his speech. He added, “I was very angry… because they have abandoned 130,000 voters in Marine Parade. On what good grounds? To come to Tampines for a four-cornered fight?” Goh pointed out that the contest in Tampines GRC now involves four parties: PAP, WP, PPP, and the National Solidarity Party (NSP).

Implying strategic obstruction

Suggesting an ulterior motive, Goh claimed, “They want to make sure Goh Meng Seng does not go into Parliament.” He implied that WP’s decision to contest Tampines might have been aimed at blocking his entry into Parliament. Goh also argued that PPP was the only party to raise concerns about the national Covid-19 vaccination campaign. He referred to past controversies, including multiple Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) orders issued against him for exaggerating vaccine dangers. He continued by criticising WP chief Pritam Singh, accusing him of failing to apologise to Marine Parade voters. “Bro, when I was contesting 2006, where were you?” said Goh. He added that his greatest regret was “to build the platform for these people”.

Pritam Singh responds to criticisms

Earlier on 24 April morning, during a doorstop interview on Nomination Day, WP leader Pritam Singh addressed the accusations made by Goh. “Mr Goh should focus on the campaign in Tampines,” Singh stated. He explained that the decision not to contest Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC was based on party strategy and calculations. Singh responded to the suggestion that WP should have coordinated with other opposition parties to avoid walkovers. He emphasised that such coordination was not standard practice. “It’s not as if some of these alternative parties… approach us to ask, ‘Can I stand here, can I stand there?’” Singh said. “We respect them, we respect their agency. They make decisions in their enlightened self-interest and so do we.” When questioned again by media on 25 April regarding Goh’s remarks, Singh reaffirmed his position, stating, “Mr Goh Meng Seng is Mr Goh Meng Seng. Nothing’s going to change.”

Residents’ concerns addressed

Singh had also earlier said that he had visited residents in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights after Nomination Day to explain the party’s rationale. “I acknowledged and validated their disappointment,” Singh said. “But after I explained to them the reality of boundaries being withdrawn, and our own calculations as a party, I think they understood.” Addressing claims that WP’s campaign planning was last-minute, Singh noted that strategies evolve as the situation changes. “There’s nothing untoward about our decisions,” he said. “Even the PAP didn’t confirm its slate until the end. We were quite clear what we wanted to do.” Singh concluded by affirming WP’s broader goal: “We put forward the best slate of candidates we can for Singapore. We want a more balanced political system.”