Three seasoned political observers analyse and offer talking points.

Synopsis: The Usual Place now moves to a half-hour daily livestream at noon from April 24 till May 1 - a day before Cooling-off Day - with Singapore's general election on May 3.

Host and ST correspondent Natasha Ann Zachariah invites candidates, analysts and hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people. 

The People’s Action Party held the first lunchtime election rally of GE2025 at noon on April 28 at the promenade area beside UOB Plaza. The PAP’s secretary-general and Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, along with other party members, addressed Singaporeans.

The Fullerton rally, named for its venue being close to Fullerton Square, has in the past attracted thousands of office workers. The area has been a venue for political rallies since 1959, when the earliest Singapore political parties took to the podium there.

Chatting with Natasha at The Usual Place are Dr Gillian Koh, senior research fellow from the Institute of Policy Studies, Dr Rebecca Grace Tan, a political science lecturer from the National University of Singapore, and Dr Felix Tan, an independent political observer.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:35 How the new PAP candidates fared in their speeches at the Fullerton rally

6:17 Was there a lack of specifics from new PAP candidates on their motivation to join politics?

15:57 Thoughts on PAP’s opposition to the opposition parties

22:50 Is DPM Gan Kim Yong in danger of losing Punggol GRC?

25:47 Did GST turbocharge inflation in Singapore?

40:35 Will the PAP get a clear mandate from the ballot box on Polling Day?

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha’s articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65 

ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Shorts edited by: ST Video

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Danson Cheong and Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/wEr7u

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

ST Podcasts website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

ST Podcasts YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

#tup #tuptr