Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong openly threatened Singaporeans to not criticise his PAP candidates, warning that “an investigation on every allegation” will follow:
“But I don’t think that should be the end of the matter because we can’t let such serious things be said about somebody and have somebody live with the cloud permanently hanging over him (with) a question mark… After the elections, the party will investigate the veracity of allegations against Ivan and we will come to a view on the matter.”
Dictator Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is notorious for filing defamation lawsuits, bankrupting his critics or jail them through police investigations. He is named a “predator” alongside Kim Jong Un according an international press organisation RSF.
The world’s richest politician said he has “no time” to defend against criticisms during the election period:
“We don’t have time to settle it now.”
Lee Hsien Loong said he is confident in the PAP selection process, but did not explain why he approved Ivan Lim’s withdrawal since he is “confident”.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong then blamed the internet for his candidates’ unpopularity:
“With social media, it is easy for criticisms to be spread and possibly gain currency, whether or not they are founded.”
The Singapore dictator said, PAP MP Tin Pei ling was “flamed” during her candidacy in 2011 and she “proved herself” after winning in the 2015 General Election:
“This is not a new thing. Tin Pei Ling’s candidacy in 2011, drew flak from the members of the public. When we fielded her, there was an enormous controversy and she had a very tough time. She was really flamed. But she held her ground in the last election amply.”