logo
GE2025: WP chief Pritam Singh to remain Leader of the Opposition

GE2025: WP chief Pritam Singh to remain Leader of the Opposition

New Paper05-05-2025
WP chief Pritam Singh will remain the Leader of the Opposition with staff and resources to carry out his duties, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
"The WP fielded a strong slate of candidates, and put up a tough fight in this election," said PM Wong, who added that he had spoken to Mr Singh.
WP has also consolidated and increased its presence in Parliament, the Prime Minister added in a Facebook post on May 5.
WP consolidated its hold over Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang SMC, returning 10 elected MPs to Parliament.
As the "best losers" at the polls - narrowly losing to the ruling PAP in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC - the party also has the option to take up two Non-Constituency MP seats in the 15th Parliament.
In the five constituencies that it did not win, the party's candidates came close, polling above 40 per cent.
PM Wong said: "I look forward to the contributions of the Workers' Party members in Parliament," he added.
Mr Singh was appointed Leader of the Opposition by former prime minister Lee Hsien Loong after the last general election in 2020, which saw the WP win its second GRC - Sengkang.
The Leader of the Opposition's role is to lead the opposition in presenting alternative views in parliamentary debates on policies, Bills and motions.
His duties also include leading and organising scrutiny of the Government's positions and actions in Parliament.
On May 3, WP triumphed in its traditional strongholds of Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC, returning its core leaders - including Mr Singh, its secretary-general - to Parliament.
Despite a national swing towards the ruling party, the five-member WP team in Aljunied GRC maintained its hold over the constituency, with 59.68 per cent of the vote.
In Hougang, WP polled 62.17 per cent. The party also held on to Sengkang, winning 56.31 per cent of the vote.
While the party did not win any new constituency, it polled above 40 per cent wherever it contested, including in Punggol, East Coast and Tampines GRCs, as well as Jalan Kayu SMC.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling
Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Over 40% of Singaporean seniors have claimed SG60 vouchers: Low Yen Ling

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Each Singaporean will receive an SG60 postcard in the mail designed by differently abled artists, containing a message from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and a QR code to claim the vouchers. SINGAPORE - More than 450,000 Singaporeans aged 60 and above have claimed their SG60 vouchers since July 1 . This means more than 40 per cent of the 1.1 million seniors have already done so, said Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry Low Yen Ling in a Facebook post on July 2. The SG60 vouchers, which are a one-off initiative, were released on July 1 to celebrate Singapore's 60th year of independence. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in a social media post on July 1 that the vouchers are 'our way of recognising the contributions of all Singaporeans in our nation-building journey'. Those aged 60 and above can claim $800 worth of vouchers, while those aged between 21 and 59 will be able to claim $600 worth of vouchers from July 22. Unlike the CDC vouchers issued to households , the SG60 vouchers are distributed to individual Singaporeans, and are part of a broader SG60 package that PM Wong announced at Budget 2025. Some three million adults will receive the vouchers, which are estimated to cost the Government $2.02 billion. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Asia 4 dead, 38 missing after ferry sinks on way to Indonesia's Bali Singapore $500 in Child LifeSG credits, Edusave, Post-Sec Education Account top-ups to be disbursed in July Singapore Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng Singapore 17-year-old youth charged with trespassing on MRT tracks; to be remanded at IMH Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress They can be used at all businesses that accept CDC vouchers and are valid until Dec 31, 2026. Half of the vouchers – $400 for seniors and $300 for adults – can be used at participating supermarkets, and the other half at participating hawker stalls and heartland merchants. In her post, Ms Low said seniors who need assistance claiming the vouchers digitally can seek help at community centres and SG Digital Community Hubs, of which there are 36 islandwide. She added that official updates and information will be disseminated through Ms Low also cautioned against falling for scams related to the vouchers, stressing that no banking information or financial transactions are required to claim them. In the event of uncertainty, she advised the public to call the ScamShield helpline on 1799. If a scam is suspected, she said a police report should be made.

Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng
Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng

Straits Times

time4 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Pedestrian-only path rules to be enforced reasonably; focus on errant cyclists: Baey Yam Keng

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LTA's active mobility enforcement officers advising cyclists to keep to their lane next to a newly converted 200m-long pedestrian-only path in Tampines on July 1. SINGAPORE – Officers will take a reasonable approach when enforcing the proper use of pedestrian-only paths, said Minister of State for Transport Baey Yam Keng, reassuring cyclists that they will not be unfairly targeted and fined. In a Facebook post late on July 2, Mr Baey said the focus is on 'errant cyclists who speed or ride in a reckless manner on paths', putting others in danger. From July 1, cyclists and users of non-motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) such as kick scooters can be penalised for riding on designated pedestrian-only footpaths located in towns across Singapore. These paths, marked with the words 'pedestrians only', are meant for pedestrians and users of personal mobility aids (PMAs), such as electric wheelchairs. Cycling paths have been painted red. The demarcation of paths for pedestrians and cyclists 'provides more certainty' for users and allows them to better anticipate each other's movements, Mr Baey said. 'I understand cyclists are concerned about this change, and are worried about being targeted and fined,' he said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore No train service across entire Bukit Panjang LRT line due to power fault Asia US, India push for trade pact after Trump strikes deal with Vietnam: Sources World Trump tax Bill stalled by Republican rebellion in Congress Business Microsoft cutting 9,000 jobs companywide in second major wave of layoffs this year Opinion How Apple gave 'the gift of fire' to Chinese electronics firms Asia Malaysian nurses following the money abroad for more opportunities Singapore Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade World Iran's nuclear programme degraded by up to two years, Pentagon says He assured them that the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) active mobility enforcement officers (AMEOs) would 'consider the ground situation'. For example, a cyclist who has to momentarily ride on a pedestrian-only path to avoid an obstacle or to safely overtake slower-moving path users will not be penalised. 'But beyond rules, we need to cultivate a culture of gracious path sharing and protect the safety of the most vulnerable, especially with our ageing population,' Mr Baey said. Bicycles and non-motorised PMDs remain permitted on shared footpaths. More than 200km of footpaths next to cycling lanes have been turned into pedestrian-only paths since the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced the initiative in August 2024. First-time offenders convicted of riding on a pedestrian-only path can be fined up to $2,000 or jailed for up to three months, or both. Pedestrians who stray into cycling paths will not face these penalties, though they should keep to the pedestrian-only path for their own safety, LTA said. Speaking to reporters on July 1, Mr Baey said that while the AMEOs will give people 'benefit of the doubt', they cannot be too lenient. 'Otherwise, the law has no teeth,' he added, saying that a signal must be sent to those who repeatedly flout the rules.

Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade
Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade

Straits Times

time20 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Singapore and Cambodia to expand collaboration in renewable energy, carbon markets and agri-trade

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE - Singapore and Cambodia will deepen their collaboration in several areas, including renewable energy, high-quality carbon credits and trade in food products, as the two countries mark 60 years of diplomatic relations. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said this on July 2 in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, the latest in his series of introductory visits to Asean capitals. At a luncheon hosted by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet at the Peace Palace , PM Wong thanked Mr Manet for his invitation to visit and said the two countries' relationship had continued to grow from strength to strength over the last 60 years. 'Our built on the strong foundation laid by then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and His Majesty King-Father Norodom Sihanouk,' PM Wong said in a toast speech. 'It is a foundation of mutual respect, trust and friendship that continues to guide our relationship today.' He noted that Singapore is one of Cambodia's largest investors and trading partners. In 2024, the Republic was Cambodia's third-largest foreign investor, with bilateral trade between the countries increasing 7.1 per cent year on year to $4.83 billion. Earlier in the day, PM Wong called on Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni at the Royal Palace. He also called on Senate President Hun Sen. At his meeting with Mr Manet, the two leaders discussed several priority areas of cooperation. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Singapore The romance continues: Former 'Singapore girl', 77, returns to Osaka Expo after 55 years Singapore 2 men face charges over fatal maritime accident near Pedra Branca island Singapore Police looking into claim by driver who caused teen's death that he was an NUS student Singapore 3 weeks' jail for man who touched himself on train, flicked bodily fluid on female passenger The first such area is renewable energy, and the two countries' cooperation will help build a greener and more interconnected Asean, said PM Wong. He cited a project for Singapore to import one gigawatt of low-carbon electricity from Cambodia, which will be a key building block towards an Asean Power Grid. This is a plan to link up the electricity networks of the group's member countries and enable cross-border power trading by 2045. Some progress has already been made on this front, with Singapore's Keppel having inked a pact in 2023 with Cambodia's Royal Group Power for the long-term import and sale of one gigawatt (GW) of low-carbon electricity. On high-quality carbon credits, the countries are working together on an implementation agreement for an earlier memorandum of understanding. 'This will mobilise financing for clean-energy projects, uplift rural communities and improve livelihoods, while enabling both our countries to hit our net-zero goals,' said PM Wong. With Cambodia being a key agricultural exporter and Singapore importing almost all its food, the two countries will also deepen their cooperation in this field . 'We are also keen to diversify our sources of food imports, so closer collaboration in this area will be mutually beneficial for both our countries,' said PM Wong. Both countries also agreed to continue working to strengthening Asean centrality and unity to keep the grouping relevant and to advance the region's collective interests. 'In this uncertain global environment, it is more important than ever for Asean to stay cohesive, uphold open channels of dialogue, and work together to resolve our differences peacefully,' said PM Wong. He added that Singapore and Cambodia continue to be steadfast partners in human development, with nearly 19,000 Cambodian officials having received training in areas like public health, digital governance and public administration under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). Much of this training is conducted right in Phnom-Penh at the Cambodia-Singapore Cooperation Centre, noted PM Wong. The centre is one of three Singapore Cooperation Centres that the SCP has been operating since the Initiative for Asean Integration was launched under Singapore's chairmanship of Asean in 2000. The other centres are in Laos and Vietnam. PM Wong said Cambodia has made remarkable strides over the past six decades to transform from a post-conflict society to a rapidly developing nation, and that under Mr Manet's leadership it has charted an ambitious strategy to become a high-income nation by 2050. 'Singapore will continue to walk alongside Cambodia in this development journey,' he said. He added: 'I am confident that with Prime Minister Manet's support and leadership, we will continue to deepen our bilateral partnership and expand our cooperation for win-win outcomes, and deliver meaningful benefits for both our people.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store