GE2025: WP retains strongholds in Aljunied and Hougang despite national swing to PAP
GE2025: WP retains strongholds in Aljunied and Hougang despite national swing to PAP
Follow our live coverage here.
SINGAPORE – The WP retained its traditional strongholds of Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC with little drama, returning its core leaders secretary-general Pritam Singh and chair Sylvia Lim to Parliament.
Despite a national swing towards the ruling party, the WP five-member team in Aljunied GRC maintained its hold over its PAP challengers to take the constituency with 59.68 per cent of the votes, to the PAP's 40.32 per cent.
This is in line with its previous showing during the Covid-19 polls in 2020, when it won the five seats with 59.93 per cent of the votes.
WP candidate Dennis Tan, 54, was also re-elected for his second consecutive term in WP's storied home base, Hougang SMC – a seat the party has held since 1991.
He was the rare opposition MP to buck the national trend and improve his winning margin. His 62.17 per cent is a 1 percentage point increase from his 2020 victory of 61.19 per cent.
His rival, PAP newcomer Marshall Lim, 38, secured 37.83 per cent of the vote.
The elected Aljunied GRC MPs are Leader of the Opposition Mr Singh, 48; Ms Lim, 60; Mr Gerald Giam, 47; Mr Fadli Fawzi, 44 – who had contested Marine Parade GRC in 2020 – and newcomer Kenneth Tiong, 36.
The losing PAP slate was led by second-time Aljunied GRC candidate Chan Hui Yuh, 48, and included four PAP new faces. They are Mr Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; Mr Adrian Ang, 42; Mr Jagathishwaran Rajo; 37, and Mr Daniel Liu, 40.
Mr Singh thanked supporters at Serangoon Stadium, saying: 'Your support has been so important in the mission of achieving and working towards a more balanced Parliament. That work also continues.
'As the team committed to you, we serve everyone equally. I look forward to working with you to make Aljunied our best home yet.'
Speaking to The Straits Times after the sample count for Aljunied GRC was announced at 10pm, the PAP's Mr Liu said at Bedok Stadium that he was proud of his team.
He said: 'The five of us have never been parliamentarians. It's a big accomplishment for us.'
PAP team lead Ms Chan said in her concession speech: 'This past campaign has been amazing – blood, sweat and tears from all of us. It was not easy, but we persevered. We went with our eyes open, and we did our best with no regrets.'
The WP had wrenched Aljunied GRC from the PAP in 2011, making history by becoming the first opposition party to win a GRC since the system was introduced in 1988.
During hustings, it focused its campaign mostly on party-wide, national issues.
A constant refrain was the need for a more balanced political system with credible opposition, with it having proven its mettle in both parliamentary and municipal issues.
Mr Singh's conviction earlier in 2025 over lying to a parliamentary committee under oath went largely unmentioned, except by the PAP's Ms Chan at her team's final rally on May 1. Mr Singh has said he would be appealing against the verdict.
With the PAP moving Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to Punggol GRC, WP's Ms Lim also sought to use the party's 2011 victory over the PAP team in Aljunied GRC as a precedent for how losing PAP ministers need not be exaggerated.
Then, the PAP team included two ministers, George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua.
Ms Lim had said: 'Since the PAP lost, has Singapore been weakened? Life goes on and guess what? One of the Workers' Party's unknowns is now the Leader of the Opposition.'
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean accompanied the PAP Aljunied GRC slate on its walkabouts, though overturning WP's hold on the constituency ultimately proved too much of an ask.
Members of the PAP Aljunied GRC team had brushed aside questions of it being without an anchor minister and being a 'suicide squad'.
They argued this allowed them more time to walk the ground, and they were focused on serving residents.
As for Hougang SMC, the WP has frequently cited it as one of the finest examples of voters' resistance to PAP's former policy of upgrading opposition wards last, proving that voters cannot be bought.
The party also produced Hougang The Documentary, released in November 2024, which charted how former WP chief Low Thia Khiang – who spoke fluent Teochew – convinced voters to take a chance on the WP.
The WP's Mr Tan was mostly content to allow his party's leadership and newer candidates to take the limelight during hustings, but said during WP's May 1 rally that Hougang must remain a beacon of democracy in Singapore.
Mr Michael Lai, 75, who was among those celebrating the WP's victory at Serangoon Stadium, said he had hoped for a lower vote share for the ruling PAP.
The director of an engineering company said the WP MPs had fulfilled their duties well.
He said: 'They've argued against the GST (goods and services tax) and COE (certicate of entitlement) increase in Parliament. The estate is also clean and well maintained.'
Businessman Joel Tan, 34, said he took issue with Mr Lim's comments about himself being a fighter and that Hougang did not belong to the WP.
Said Mr Tan: 'I didn't really like his attitude when he spoke about Hougang. It's a stronghold, so I expected 68 per cent for the WP.'
There were 144,298 voters in Aljunied GRC and 29,464 voters in Hougang SMC in 2025.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Japan to ease overseas student enrolment caps at universities in bid to attract talent
As part of the review, the ministry will consider whether international students can adequately cover their enrolment costs. TOKYO – To attract highly talented international students, the education ministry has decided to ease the cap on university enrolment through implementing a special measure to start from the 2026 academic year. In the case of large departments or faculties with an admission quota of 300 or more, international student enrolment will be allowed to exceed the fixed capacity up to an amount less than 110 per cent, according to the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry. Under the current system, large departments are subject to a strict overall enrolment cap of less than 105 per cent capacity to ensure educational quality. If universities exceed this limit, they face penalties such as cuts to government subsidies. The special measure will apply to universities that have met specific criteria over the past three years, including having no legal violations, an overall enrolment capacity rate of 90 per cent or higher, and sound financial conditions. Universities are required to submit their plans on increasing the number of international students. The ministry will review the plans and examine how they manage enrolment, particularly focusing on the dropout rate of such students, to grant certification on a per-faculty basis. As part of the review, the ministry will consider whether international students can adequately cover their enrolment costs. To promote diversity, emphasis will be placed on plans to increase student enrolment from the Group of Seven nations, India and South-east Asia – regions that have been designated as government priority areas. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes A survey by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development found that undergraduate international students made up 16 per cent of the student population in the Britain and 14 per cent in Canada, while in Japan it remained at only 3 per cent in 2021. In April 2023, the government's Council for the Creation of Future Education recommended raising the cap on international students to 400,000 by 2033. The council also called for more flexible university enrolment management. On July 25, the ministry began soliciting public comments regarding the introduction of this special measure. THE JAPAN NEWS/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Thailand, Cambodia weigh peace talks after Trump's tariff threat
Both sides have blamed the other for further renewed aggression. WASHINGTON – Thailand and Cambodia may hold talks as soon as July 27 to bring an end to their deadly border clashes after US President Donald Trump warned Washington would not make a trade deal with either country while the conflict continued. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said foreign ministers on both sides could soon talk, but any ceasefire agreement would be subject to conditions such as resolving the dispute bilaterally, and withdrawing troops and the use of lethal weapons. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who has welcomed Mr Trump's bid to end the conflict, has already assigned his foreign minister to talk with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to coordinate peace talks with Bangkok. After separate calls with the Thai and Cambodian leaders on July 26, Mr Trump said they agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire,' according to posts on Truth Social. Mr Phumtham said he told Mr Trump that Thailand wanted assurances the terms of any ceasefire agreement will not be reversed. Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Mr Rubio are also scheduled to hold talks, he said. 'Bilateral negotiations, a genuine desire for a ceasefire, and the withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons from where they are now, will help assure us of their sincerity in pursuing a ceasefire agreement,' Mr Phumtham told reporters. Heavy artillery shelling was reported on July 27 from multiple locations across the 800-km shared border. Both sides blamed the other for further renewed aggression. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road South sinkhole removed; road remains closed for repairs Singapore Workers used nylon rope to rescue driver of car that fell into Tanjong Katong Road sinkhole Life Vet Talk: Pet owners and vets need to work together to prevent infectious zoonotic diseases Singapore Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE Singapore For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee Asia S'porean trainee doctor in Melbourne arrested for allegedly filming colleagues in toilets since 2021 Singapore Mum at 15: More teens in Singapore gave birth in 2024 Business Already owning 5 properties, woman wanted elderly dad's 4 homes The Thai army said Cambodian forces launched rockets and artillery into civilian areas including homes and hospitals in the early hours of July 27. It also warned Phnom Penh could potentially deploy long-range missiles. Cambodia in turn said that Thai troops were the first to launch attacks early on July 27. Cambodia remained committed to an immediate ceasefire and to resolving all disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, said Ms Maly Socheata, a spokeswoman at Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense. Clashes between Thailand and Cambodia , which erupted on July 24 after monthslong tension along the border, has killed more than 30 people and displaced over 150,000 civilians on both sides. It remains to be seen if Mr Trump's threat of trade as a tool to end hostilities – a tactic he claims to have successfully used in halting India-Pakistan clashes in May – could lead to a lasting agreement. The Trump administration has threatened 36 per cent tariffs on both Thailand and Cambodia. We 'do not want to make any Deal, with either Country, if they are fighting – And I have told them so,' Mr Trump said on Truth Social. Both parties 'are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS,' he said. Thai officials have previously said they are nearing a deal with the US to lower the tariff with offers of greater market access to American products to narrow the US$46 billion (S$58.9 billion) trade surplus with Washington. The Thai government is under pressure to strike a deal before the Aug 1 deadline, especially as neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have secured trade agreements with the Trump administration. The US is Thailand's largest export market with shipments valued at US$63 billion in 2024. Thailand has put the death toll on its side at 21 including eight soldiers, with at least 36 civilians injured. Cambodia has so far reported 13 deaths including five soldiers, and injuries to 70 others. Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of border tensions, though ties have remained mostly stable since a deadly clash in 2011 that killed dozens. The last major escalation focused on the Preah Vihear temple, a historic flashpoint rooted in disputes dating back to the French colonial period. Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina. Fighting erupted last week after Thailand expelled Cambodia's ambassador and recalled its own envoy from Phnom Penh in response to landmine explosions that maimed at least two Thai soldiers and injured several others. The clashes have involved fighter jets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery with Thailand using its navy to repel Cambodian attacks near the Gulf of Thailand. BLOOMBERG
Business Times
10 hours ago
- Business Times
PAP has to retain its position for Singapore to keep doing well: SM Lee
[SINGAPORE] With the opposition here to stay in Singapore politics, the ruling party will have to retain its position, and win the support of voters in order for the Republic to 'keep on doing well', said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Otherwise, it will become harder to govern Singapore well and get support for policies required to make the country work and progress, said SM Lee. Speaking at a National Day dinner in Serangoon on Sunday (Jul 27), SM Lee said the People's Action Party (PAP) government continues to deliver good results and enjoys the confidence of Singaporeans. 'But at the same time, after all these years of peace and prosperity and progress, the desire for more alternative voices in Parliament has become stronger,' he said. 'The number of opposition MPs in Parliament has also grown, and the sentiment - I think it is quite natural, it is quite understandable,' he added. Following the 2025 General Election, Singapore's 15th Parliament - which will sit for the first time on Sep 5 - will have 12 opposition MPs including two Non-Constituency MPs. The opposition had also secured 12 seats in the 2020 General Election. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Said SM Lee: 'So my attitude is: the opposition is here to stay in Singapore politics. But in order for Singapore to keep on doing well, the Government has to continue to hold its own, and to win votes and to win seats in elections. 'Because otherwise, beyond a point, it will become harder for us to form a team, harder for us to govern Singapore well, harder for us to get support for policies which we need, in order to make the country work and progress.' He warned that when that happens, the quality of the Government will 'go down' and that the country's future will be affected. 'You can elect more opposition MPs to check the government, to bold it to work better, but once you are set on that path, you are heading in the wrong direction,' he said. Instead, he called for striking the right balance between having stronger alternative voices in Government, and supporting and electing an effective one. 'One which will deliver high standards and good results, which Singaporeans have gotten used to and have come to expect from the Government; one which will take the tough but necessary decisions to secure our long-term future, particularly in today's troubled world,' he added. SM Lee said he was glad that Singaporeans understood this and gave the PAP government a clear mandate during the elections in May. The PAP secured 65.57 per cent of the popular vote, up from the 61.24 per cent it garnered in the 2020 General Election. SM Lee was addressing a crowd that included the PAP candidates that had run in Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC at the 2025 General Election in May - namely Ms Chan Hui Yuh, Daniel Liu, Faisal Abdul Aziz, Adrian Ang, and Jagathishwaran Rajo for Aljunied GRC; and Marshall Lim for Hougang SMC. Despite the overall swing towards the PAP, both teams lost to the Workers' Party, which retained its hold over these constituencies. The ruling party's candidates have stayed on as non-elected PAP representatives in their respective divisions. 'Now the elections are over, it does not matter who you voted for in the election,' said SM Lee, assuring Singaporeans that the PAP Government 'will continue to take care of all citizens, no matter which constituency you live in, or which party you voted for.' SM Lee added that grassroots advisers and leaders in Aljunied and Serangoon 'do not have an easy job' as they are not elected MPs who oversee the town councils in these divisions. 'But they will always do their best,' he said, pointing out that they will continue to serve residents through explaining Government policies and measures, implementing support schemes, and organising programmes for seniors, youth and families. THE STRAITS TIMES