Just days before Singaporeans head to the polls for GE2025, a scandal has landed squarely in the opposition’s lap. Screenshots of vulgar Telegram messages allegedly written by Workers’ Party candidate Andre Low went viral on social media, forcing a public apology that now puts the party’s credibility under the microscope.

Candidate: Workers’ Party (WP) Jalan Kayu ·
Apology Date: 30 Apr 2025 ·
Platform: Telegram ·
Screenshots Surfaced: 29 Apr 2025 ·
Key Issue: Vulgarities and inappropriate remarks

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Over 30 profanity-laden Telegram messages allegedly by Andre Low surfaced April 29, 2025 (Must Share News)
  • Low issued apology statement within two hours on the same date (Must Share News)
  • He is WP’s candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC in GE2025 on May 3, 2025 (Mothership)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • Screenshots dropped April 29 — one day after Low spoke at WP rally about “transparency and accountability” (The Online Citizen)
  • GE2025 polling scheduled May 3, 2025 — five days after the leak (The Online Citizen)
4What’s next
  • Low continues campaigning in Jalan Kayu despite backlash (The Online Citizen)
  • Voters face question of whether this affects their choice on May 3 (The Online Citizen)
  • WP has not issued a formal party statement as of April 30 (The Online Citizen)

What are Andre Low’s leaked Telegram messages?

The controversy centers on a cache of over 30 screenshots from a private Telegram group chat that allegedly surfaced online on April 29, 2025. The messages, reportedly exchanged during the COVID-19 period, contained repeated profanities and demeaning language directed at various groups and individuals.

According to Mothership, one screenshot showed Low writing about residents who called his personal number: “IMO, these people can f*ck off.” The leaked messages reportedly included swearing about civil servants, the government’s TraceTogether contact-tracing system, CNA, Grab drivers, resale flat owners, fighter jets, and various named individuals including celebrities and business leaders.

The messages appear to have originated from a chat with Low’s business school classmates during the pandemic lockdown period. Netizens who viewed the screenshots noted that expletives were highlighted throughout, which some observers suggested indicated the leaker had an agenda against Low (Must Share News).

Editor’s note

The screenshots circulated widely on Facebook and Reddit beginning April 29, 2025, placing the leak just four days before Singapore’s general election on May 3, 2025.

“I am not proud of the way I expressed my views, and I am deeply sorry for the language I used.”

— Andre Low, written apology statement, April 29, 2025 (Must Share News)

Why did Andre Low apologize?

Within approximately two hours of the screenshots appearing online on April 29, Low released a written apology statement acknowledging the messages. “I am not proud of the way I expressed my views, and I am deeply sorry for the language I used,” he stated (Must Share News).

The 33-year-old candidate described the messages as “completely inappropriate” and said they came from a private group chat during COVID-19 when “friends and I were cooped up at home and just ranting to each other” (YouTube Video).

On April 30, Low apologized in person to media during a walkabout in Jalan Kayu SMC, offering what he called his “deepest apologies” to residents. He also posted a longer apology on his Facebook page in the early hours of April 30, 2025 (The Online Citizen).

Apology statement

Low’s public apology centered on taking responsibility for his language while framing the context as private conversation among friends during an exceptionally stressful period. He did not dispute the authenticity of the screenshots in his public statements.

Reasons given

The candidate cited the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown as context, describing the messages as casual venting among classmates that was never meant for public consumption. However, he acknowledged that the content was still his own words regardless of the private setting.

“Completely inappropriate — that is the only way to describe it. I take full responsibility for what I said.”

— Andre Low, video apology, April 30, 2025 (YouTube Video)

Bottom line: Andre Low admits writing the messages and expresses regret, but the timing—four days before GE2025—means voters must weigh his apology against the content itself.

Where did screenshots of Andre Low’s messages appear?

The screenshots first appeared on social media platforms on April 29, 2025, according to multiple reports. They circulated primarily through Facebook and Reddit, gaining rapid traction as users shared and discussed the content.

Social media spread

The leak spread quickly across Singapore’s online community, with Facebook posts and Reddit threads amplifying the screenshots throughout the day. The timing coincided with active political campaigning ahead of the May 3 election.

Reddit discussions

Discussions on Reddit’s r/SingaporeRaw and other Singapore-focused subreddits generated significant engagement, with users debating the authenticity of the messages and their implications for the upcoming election. Some Reddit users claimed to know Low personally, adding layers of commentary to the online debate.

Why this matters

The leak occurred just one day after Low spoke at a WP rally on April 29, where he emphasized “transparency and accountability”—a detail not lost on critics and voters on social media.

What is the Reddit reaction to Andre Low’s messages?

Reddit discussions reflected the polarized views typical of Singapore’s online political discourse. Some users expressed strong disapproval of Low’s language, particularly his remarks about ordinary residents. Others noted the timing of the leak and suggested it appeared strategically placed ahead of the election.

Key threads

Major threads on r/Singapore and r/SingaporeRaw focused on whether the leak undermined WP’s credibility ahead of GE2025. The conversation touched on questions of private speech versus public accountability, especially for political candidates.

User comments

Among the comments, several users claimed personal knowledge of Low, adding context or expressing surprise at the messages. The overall tone ranged from condemnation to calls for voters to focus on WP’s broader platform rather than this incident alone.

How has this affected WP’s GE2025 campaign?

The scandal presents an immediate challenge for the Workers’ Party as it campaigns in marginal constituencies including Jalan Kayu SMC. Low’s position as a WP candidate means the party cannot easily distance itself without potentially losing a contested seat.

Party response

As of April 30, 2025, the Workers’ Party had not issued a formal statement addressing the leaked messages or indicating any disciplinary action against Low (The Online Citizen). The party’s silence has left voters to form their own conclusions about its position on the matter.

Broader implications

The incident adds a layer of uncertainty to GE2025 results, particularly in swing constituencies where candidate credibility can sway undecided voters. For WP, which has built its reputation on incorruptibility and integrity following the Town Council scandals involving former party leaders, this episode tests whether voters will hold individual candidates accountable for personal conduct outside of office.

The catch

WP faces a dilemma: backing Low could invite criticism that the party tolerates disrespect toward residents, but withdrawing his candidacy days before polling could fracture the Jalan Kayu campaign entirely.

The implication is clear: WP’s response—or lack thereof—will signal whether the party prioritizes loyalty to its candidate or distance from controversy in the final days before polling.

Key details of the controversy are summarized in the table below.

Label Value
Full Name Andre Low
Political Party Workers’ Party (WP)
Candidacy Jalan Kayu SMC
Age 33
Incident Date 29-30 Apr 2025
Primary Platform Telegram
GE2025 Polling Date 3 May 2025

Upsides

  • Low responded quickly with apology within two hours
  • Apology was public and included in-person component
  • Messages dated to COVID period, not current campaigning

Downsides

  • Content included disrespect toward ordinary residents
  • WP has not issued party-level response or disciplinary action
  • Leak occurred days before election, maximizing political impact
Bottom line: Andre Low has apologized for private messages that surfaced publicly days before Singapore votes. The Workers’ Party has not commented officially, leaving Jalan Kayu voters to decide whether the apology is sufficient or whether the content—particularly remarks about residents—reflects poorly on Low’s fitness to serve.

Frequently asked questions

What platform were Andre Low’s leaked messages on?

The messages were from a private Telegram group chat that allegedly included Low’s business school classmates during the COVID-19 period.

Who leaked Andre Low’s messages?

The identity of the leaker remains unclear. The screenshots appeared on Facebook and Reddit on April 29, 2025.

What specific remarks did Andre Low make?

One screenshot showed Low writing about residents who called his number: “IMO, these people can f*ck off.” The messages reportedly also contained profanities about government agencies, TraceTogether, Grab drivers, resale flat owners, and various named individuals.

Has WP distanced itself from Andre Low?

As of April 30, 2025, the Workers’ Party had not issued a formal statement or indicated any disciplinary action against Low.

What is the GE2025 connection?

Andre Low is WP’s candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC in the general election scheduled for May 3, 2025. The leak occurred four days before polling day.

Are there official investigations?

No official investigations have been announced. The matter is currently a public controversy rather than a legal or electoral commission issue.

How widespread were the screenshots?

The screenshots circulated on Facebook, Reddit, and other platforms, generating significant discussion in Singapore online communities in the days leading up to GE2025.

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