PAP leaders pledge to draw lessons from GE2025, focus on unity and global risks
SINGAPORE – A day after the PAP was returned to power with 65.57 per cent of the vote, its elected leaders said the country must draw lessons from the election, remain united, and stay alert to the risks and uncertainties in the external environment.
Speaking at walkabouts and victory parades to thank voters on May 4, several PAP ministers said the results reflected support for the party. But they also pointed to the importance of strengthening trust with Singaporeans and preparing the country to navigate an increasingly challenging global climate.
The PAP won 82 out of 92 contested seats, retaining all the constituencies it previously held. One group representation constituency, Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC, was uncontested, bringing the total number of PAP-held seats to 87 out of 97 in the 15th Parliament.
The WP retained its foothold in Aljunied and Hougang and successfully defended Sengkang, winning a total of 10 elected seats. The PSP did not win any constituencies and lost both Non-Constituency MP seats it had held since 2020.
At Holland Village Market and Food Centre, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said the real competition for Singapore lies not within the country but with the rest of the world. The country must continue to field its best team, backed by the people, he added.
The PAP team led by Mr Chan in Tanjong Pagar GRC achieved the party's best GRC result since the scheme was introduced in 1988, securing 81.03 per cent of the vote against the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR).
Over in Jalan Besar GRC, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, whose team received 75.21 per cent of the vote against PAR, said observers overseas had remarked that Singapore voters had been 'very rational in recognising the risks and uncertainties'.
Speaking at Beo Crescent Market and Food Centre, she added that the Government would explore how to strengthen Singapore's position amid global shifts.
In Nee Soon GRC, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said the PAP's strong win came with significant responsibility, especially given the uncertain economic outlook. His team secured 73.81 per cent of the vote in the five-member constituency against a team from Red Dot United
'We are facing a potentially very difficult time and it looks quite certain that there will be a lot of trouble. There is a lot of uncertainty – investors are not investing, companies are not expanding. These are things we need to deal with,' he said.
At an interview at Blk 630 Bedok Reservoir Road market, WP chief Pritam Singh said the party had done 'very commendably' in consolidating its hold over the three constituencies it currently controls.
'I'm very proud of the results in Hougang, Aljunied and Sengkang, where we have consolidated the position of the party,' he said.
Mr Singh noted that even in the other five constituencies the WP did not win, its candidates 'came really close'. He said the party's ability to shift quickly to contest in new areas such as Punggol GRC showed organisational strength and adaptability.
Asked about the performance of other opposition parties and the lack of coordination to avoid multi-cornered fights, Mr Singh said the WP had its own agenda, and others had theirs. He added that the party's focus was on contesting where it could represent voters faithfully in Parliament.
The party won Aljunied GRC with 59.68 per cent of the vote, Sengkang GRC with 56.31 per cent, and Hougang SMC with 62.17 per cent. It lost in Punggol GRC, Tampines GRC, East Coast GRC, Tampines Changkat SMC and Jalan Kayu SMC, with its teams garnering above 40 per cent of votes.
Based on its results in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC, the party will be able to send two Non-constituency MPs into Parliament. When asked, Mr Singh said the party had not made a decision on the matter.
In a social media post, PSP chair Tan Cheng Bock said the party had 'punched above its weight' despite facing 'an entire machinery who came at us with boundary line changes and limitless resources' . He added that the efforts of the party's supporters were not in vain but a testament to their courage, spirit and sacrifice for the common good.
Across the island on the morning of May 4, candidates from both winning and losing teams returned to the ground to thank residents. Victory parades and walkabouts were held by teams from both the PAP and the opposition.
This included the WP's Sengkang and Aljunied teams, as well as PAP teams in Bishan–Toa Payoh, Marymount, Chua Chu Kang, East Coast, and West Coast–Jurong West.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's team, which contested Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC, greeted residents and stallholders at Yew Tee and Marsiling markets. The PAP garnered 73.46 per cent against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) there.
Newly elected MPs were also seen thanking constituents at hawker centres and MRT stations, accompanied by campaign volunteers and supporters.
Some losing candidates made the rounds as well. WP's Andre Low, who lost narrowly in Jalan Kayu SMC with 48.53 per cent of the vote against former Cabinet minister Ng Chee Meng, toured Fernvale in a vehicle to thank residents for their support.
Some newly-elected MPs also announced on May 4 that they would begin holding Meet-the-People Sessions. These include Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong in Punggol GRC, Mr Jeffrey Siow in Chua Chu Kang GRC, and Mr David Hoe in Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC, who said in social media posts that their sessions would begin on May 5.
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