GE2025: President Tharman has issued the Writ of Election, but what does it even mean?
Political lingo can be confusing, especially if you’re not someone who regularly keeps up with the topic.
But with Singapore officially heading to the polls, now’s a good time to demystify some of that jargon.
Today (April 15), President Tharman Shanmugaratnam has dissolved Parliament and issued the Writ of Election on the advice of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
But what exactly does that mean—and why should you care?
What is the Writ of Election?
The Writ of Election is a formal legal document issued by the President, which kickstarts Singapore’s election process.
It outlines key dates such as Nomination Day, when prospective candidates submit their nomination papers, election deposits and certificates, and Polling Day, when voters cast their ballots.
By law, Nomination Day must be held at least five days (excluding Sundays and public holidays) or at most one month after the issuance of the Writ. Polling Day must take place between 10 and 56 days after Nomination Day.
This year, Nomination Day will take place next Wednesday (April 22), while Polling Day has been set for Saturday (May 3).
In short, the countdown to the polls has officially begun.
You’re going to start to see posters going up around your neighbourhood, campaign rallies, and candidates hitting the ground to engage with voters as parties try to win your support. (We’ve also put together a detailed breakdown of what you can expect in the weeks ahead here.)
If you’re a first-time voter or just need a refresher, now’s the time to start paying attention. The decisions made in the next few weeks will shape Singapore’s future and your everyday life.
Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and who’s running where on the election battleground here.
Also Read: YouGov: Singapore’s PAP leads in early GE2025 poll
Featured Image Credit: President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Elections Department via Facebook/ Graphic designed by Vulcan Post
[JUST IN] GE2025: Parliament’s dissolved, Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3
Parliament was dissolved today (April 15), and the Writ of Election was issued by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at the request of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
Nomination Day will be next Wednesday (April 23), and Polling Day is set for Saturday (May 3).
The announcement comes about a month after the announcement of the electoral boundaries, which saw major changes to several constituencies—only five Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and four Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) unchanged from the previous election.
Here’s a timeline of what to expect in the lead-up to the formation of the new government, including key dates and what voters should take note of:
Nomination Day
Nomination Day must occur between five days and one month from the Writ of Election, and in this case, it has been set for eight days after the writ was issued.
On Nomination Day, hopeful candidates must submit their nomination papers and certificates to the Returning Officer in person between 11 am and 12 pm.
The Returning Officer for this election is Mr Han Kok Juan, director-general of the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore.
They must also pay an election deposit (8% of the total allowances paid to MPs in the preceding year) before submitting their nominations.
At 12 pm, candidates get half an hour to study one another’s applications and raise any objections they have to the Returning Officer.
When nomination is closed, SMCs that have more than one candidate nominated and GRCs with more than one group of candidates nominated will be contested for.
If only one candidate or group of candidates remains nominated in any SMC or GRC, they win by default. This is also called a walkover.
Notice of Contested Election
With all candidates confirmed, the Returning Officer will issue a Notice of Contested Elections.
This informs the public about the candidates who are running for each SMC and GRC, the date of Polling Day, and the locations of all polling stations.
Polling Day has to fall between 10 and 56 days after this notice is issued.
Campaigning
Candidates can start campaigning immediately after the notice of contested election is issued.
During this time, they can seek permits from the Commissioner of Police to hold rallies. They are also allowed to campaign online through platforms like apps, websites, forums and social media.
Campaigning will stop one day before Polling Day. This is known as the Cooling-off Day, a 24-hour silence period meant to allow voters to reflect on issues that were raised.
Polling Day
On Polling Day, qualified voters go to their polling stations to cast their votes at any time between 8 am and 8 pm. Polling Day is a public holiday by law.
Singaporeans who are overseas and have registered as overseas electors will also cast their votes.
Due to time differences, they might start voting earlier than electors in Singapore, but overseas polling must be closed before polling ends in Singapore.
Counting of votes
After polling stations are closed, ballot boxes are sealed and transported to their respective counting centres.
The counting process starts with a sample count to provide an early indication of the possible outcome for each electoral division.
The counting of votes is conducted in the presence of the candidates or their counting agents. In the event that the difference in the number of votes between two parties is 2% or less, candidates may request for a recount.
After the votes are consolidated, the Returning Officer concludes whether overseas votes will have any impact on the results.
If overseas votes may potentially change the result in a particular SMC or GRC, the Returning Officer will declare that the results for that division are inconclusive until overseas votes have been brought back to Singapore and counted.
In divisions where overseas votes will not impact the result, the Returning Officer can immediately declare which candidate or candidates have been elected.
The final results will be published in the Singapore Government Gazette.
Elected candidates form the Parliament
Elected candidates for every electoral division will take their seats as Members of Parliament (MP).
If one political party holds more than 50% of the seats in Parliament, the MPs of that party will form Singapore’s Government.
If there is no political party holding more than 50% of the seats in Parliament, two or more parties may form a coalition government, or a smaller party may form a minority government.
Check out our GE2025 microsite for the latest election-related news, find out which constituency you belong to, and who’s running where on the election battleground here.
Also Read: The road to GE2025: Will PAP continue to be the “sure win” option?
Featured Image Credit: Elections Department via Facebook/ Graphic designed by Vulcan Post
Tariffs this, tariffs that—What does M’sia actually export & what would even be affected?
In quite the turn of events, US President Donald Trump has put a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs that were scheduled to be imposed on April 9, 2025.
As a quick recap, we were to be on the receiving end of a 24% reciprocal tariff for imposing a 47% tariff on imported goods from the USA.
(Remember that number, we’ll come back to that soon.)
That does bring us to an interesting question, though. What do we export and what were we about to be tariffed for?
Here’s a list of Malaysia’s top 10 exports in January 2025, as reported by the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
10. Processed foods
According to MATRADE, part of what makes Malaysia’s processed food industry as big as it is, would be our “globally recognised halal standard.”
Products include processed seafood, meat, dairy, cocoa, and confectioneries, just to name a few.
There’s also of course an age-old classic from our history books, spices.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM2,755,000,000
- Exported to: Singapore, Indonesia, USA, Thailand, Australia
- Example Malaysian companies: Various SMEs
9. Palm oil-based manufactured products
To spoil things a little bit, palm oil actually makes it on this list twice. This specific placement covers palm oil-based manufactured products.
This includes soaps and margarine.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM3,287,500,000
- Exported to: China, Netherlands
- Example Malaysian companies: Iffco Malaysia, Adeka Foods
8. Optical & scientific equipment
As per EximPedia, a Singaporean export-import data provider dedicated to international trade, this category involves quite a bit that I personally never thought we were involved in.
Optical exports include telescopes, binoculars, and lenses.
As for scientific equipment, microscopes, spectrometers, and laboratory equipment make up the category.
We also export imaging equipment like X-rays and MRIs in addition to surgical instruments and prostheses.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM4,242,100,000
- Exported to: Taiwan, Chile, Ukraine, Colombia, UK, USA
- Example Malaysian companies: ZK Instruments, Ophthalmic Instruments, Tay Scientific Instruments, Interscience
7. Metal products
By metal, this category specifically refers to iron and steel.
Steel in particular plays an integral part in infrastructure projects such as bridges, roads, railways, and the like.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM5,002,300,000
- Exported to: Turkey, Hong Kong, Singapore
- Example Malaysian companies: Malaysia Steel Works, Ann Joo Resources
6. Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
In June 2024, the International Gas Union reported that Malaysia was the fifth largest exporter of LNGs, losing only to Russia, Qatar, Australia, and the US.
They’re used primarily as a fuel source for generating electricity, cooking, and heating homes.
That said, they can also be used to make paints, medicines, fertilisers, as well as to fuel commercial vehicles.
- Total exported in January, 2025: RM5,245,400,000
- Exported to: Japan, China
- Example Malaysian companies: Petronas
5. Chemical & chemical products
Malaysia’s primary exports when it comes to chemicals are petrochemicals, which are obtained from refining petroleum and natural gases.
These are used to make plastic, synthetic fibres, and cosmetics, to name a few.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM5,506,400,000
- Exported to: Thailand, China, Netherlands, Singapore, India
- Example Malaysian companies: Petronas
4. Machinery, equipment, & parts
For this entry, our local exports can be broken down into two categories, manufacturing and construction.
In manufacturing, exports include data processing machines, printers, air conditioners, and specialised equipment for automotives, electronics, and textiles.
Construction includes bulldozers, excavators, and cranes.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM5,921,000,000
- Exported to: Singapore, USA, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand
- Example Malaysian companies: Muar Ban Lee, Vitrox, Greatech, Favelle Favco, UWC
3. Palm oil & palm oil-based agriculture products
Here’s the second appearance of palm oil mentioned earlier.
This time around, the focus is on palm oil itself as well as agriculture products. The easiest way to put it is that palm oil-based manufactured products are made from palm oil-based agriculture products.
Examples include palm kernel oil which is used to make soaps and food as well as palm sugar, a natural sweetener.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM6,688,100,000 million
- Exported to: India, China, Kenya, Phillippines, Pakistan
- Example Malaysian companies: Sime Darby, IOI Group
2. Petroleum products
Coming in at second place are our petroleum products, specifically refined petroleum and crude petroleum.
Refined petroleum refers to gasoline diesel, jet fuel, and lubricants.
As for crude petroleum? Well, that’s simply petroleum as it occurs naturally.
- Total exported in January 2025: RM9,759,200,000 million
- Exported (crude) to: Thailand, Australia, Japan, Brunei, India
- Exported (refined) to: Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, Vietnam, Bangladesh
- Example Malaysian companies: Petronas, Hibiscus Petroleum
1. Electrical & electronic products (E&E)
And last but not least, here’s our biggest export by a long shot. Over four times larger than our petroleum products, we have E&E.
Half of our E&E exports are made up of semiconductors, the lifeblood of all modern electronics.
As for the other half, that includes integrated circuits (ICs) and printed circuit boards (PCBs).
- Total exported in January 2025: RM50,525,700,000
- Exported to: Singapore, USA, China, Japan, Europe
- Example Malaysian companies: Inari Amerton, Vitrox, Frontken
A small side note
Circling back to the topic of tariffs, we don’t actually have a 47% import tariff on American products.
That’s at least according to Tengku Zafrul Aziz, our Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Malaysia, who stated that the actual average is closer to 5.6%.
Now, I don’t know about you, but that seems like quite the leap.
Lucky for us, the United States Trade Representative was happy to show how they got their numbers.
Note that ε × φ, that is 4 × 0.25, actually cancels each other out. And so the equation can be simplified to this, explanations included:
Now, take that final number produced by the equation, 47 in our case, and divide it by two, rounding it up if there’s a decimal.
That’s where the 24% that was to be imposed on our exports to the US comes from.
Here’s hoping that once the 90 days are over, this won’t be the reality that we find ourselves waking up to.
- Read other articles we’ve written about Malaysian startups here.
Also Read: Why Brisbane & Gold Coast should be M’sian travellers’ top Aussie destinations in 2025
Featured Image Credit: The White House / Global Track Lines
This M’sian is carrying on her family’s 42 Y/O incense legacy with aromatherapy retreats
It’s widely known that the right smell could invoke cherished memories, bringing back strong emotions or a moment lost to time, triggered by a familiar scent or a long-forgotten one.
Even despite my withering sense of smell due to years of sinusitis, even a whiff of vanilla is bound to bring a smile to my face, or saffron and cardamom bringing back childhood memories of my mum’s cooking.
And so it makes sense why one Vanessa Chong has dedicated her life and career to the scents.
Old roots
Since birth, Vanessa has been surrounded by the delights of good scents.
Started by her dad in 1983, the family business Foo Kwai Heong had its humble beginnings in Ipoh as an OEM incense manufaturer, before becoming a top manufacturer in Southeast Asia.
Despite the brand’s status, Vanessa said she was never pressured into joining the family business, instead spending time abroad, especially in New Zealand, where she lived for five years as a permanent resident.
“It all sort of clicked when I worked in duty-free retail in New Zealand, selling perfumes. That’s where my love for fragrance truly grew,” said Vanessa.
“I was living my own life there, but when my brother passed away during the MCO period in 2020, I made the decision to come back and help my dad with the business. That’s when I really went deep to study the fragrance and incense world more seriously,” she added.
And indeed, since those early days, Vanessa has been helping to take it to the next level, modernising the business by building a social media presence and their branding, bringing in more automation, and overall improving efficiency.
She has also been helping out with another family business, S W Aroma, a fragrance distribution business aimed at bringing high-quality, raw fragrance materials, mainly from France, to the local market.
A family business since 2007, the B2B venture continued to grow as Vanessa took over as CEO, offering IFRA-compliant (International Fragrance Association) fragrance ingredients to personal care, home care, air care, and scented incense OEMs in Malaysia.
Making her own way
“Franoe, my other venture, came about from a personal passion for creating experiences around scent. I was really interested in how scent can influence moods and emotions, and I wanted to bring that to others through workshops and impactful events.”
Established in 2020, Franoe provides customers with an expansive range of natural essential oils with the goal of promoting a balanced and harmonious lifestyle.
But not just that, via retreats and workshops, Vanessa builds communities, centred around improving one’s wellness through aromatherapy.
“For Franoe, it’s all about creating wellness experiences through essential oils—aromatherapy. We do everything, from aromatherapy workshops to bigger wellness retreats and special collaborations with wellness and lifestyle brands.”
“The first events were pretty small, but as we’ve grown, we’ve added more layers to our events, bringing in sound healing, scent-blending workshops, wine yoga, floating sound bath, and all sorts of interactive and creative elements.”
Their latest retreat, a two-day, one-night getaway in Bentong, featured activities like a group yoga session, mandala art therapy, and of course, an essential oil workshop where participants learned about the safe use of essential oils and were given the opportunity to create their own specialised blends.
And although this retreat was no light expense for participants at RM788, the slew of complementary therapies may just make it worth it, if that’s your thing of course.
Big dreams
Vanessa claims that although competition is strong right now, her business’s future is promising, with all three companies doing financially well.
For the family businesses, Vanessa hopes to keep expanding their distributor network, bringing in new clients and expanding their market share both locally and across Southeast Asia.
“My vision is to make our incense a household name, ensuring consistent quality while reaching more customers who appreciate both traditional and modern incense, turning it into a lifestyle product.”
“For Franoe, however, my vision is for it to grow into a well-known name in the wellness industry, recognised for its unique retreats and holistic experiences. By offering workshops and wellness retreats in 4-star and above hotels, we get people to experience scent in a way they might never have before while building a collaborative wellness community.”
Also Read: This HP smart printer proves that M’sian SMEs don’t have to break the bank for reliability
Featured Image Credit: Franoe
