
PAP leads GE2025 campaign spending with $9.4m, more than double opposition's combined $3.6m
Candidates spent slightly over $13 million at 2025's general election in a bid to garner votes from Singaporeans, with almost half of this going to non-online advertising such as posters and banners.
Online advertising made up about 16 per cent of total costs, while political parties spent a combined $1.7 million - or about 13 per cent - on physical rallies, which made a return after being ruled out at the last general election due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The remaining spending went to other costs such as office rental, equipment, supplies and transport.
Overall, spending by parties increased by about 42 per cent from the 2020 General Election, where total expenditure was $9.2 million.
A total of 211 individuals contested the May 3 polls, and the full list of election expenses was posted on the Elections Department (ELD) website on June 27 for public inspection.
The ruling People's Action Party spent the most - $9.4 million in its contests for all 97 seats in the House - against a combined $3.6 million from the 10 opposition parties and two independent candidates.
The Workers' Party spent the most out of opposition parties, forking out a total of $1.6 million for its 26 candidates.
Next up was the Singapore Democratic Party, which spent $583,440 for its 11 candidates, followed by the Progress Singapore Party, which spent $441,548 for 13 candidates.
ELD had earlier released two tranches of election expenses for public inspection online.
All parties spent below the limit of $5 per voter, which was raised from $4 at the last election to account for inflation.

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

Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
South Korea's President Lee names finance minister, makes other picks
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung has announced his picks for several positions across the goverenment. PHOTO: REUTERS South Korea President Lee Jae Myung has chosen a former vice-finance minister, Koo Yun-cheol , to be his finance minister, his office said on June 29 . Mr Koo is widely known as a policy expert, serving different positions across the government and authoring books on South Korea's innovation and growth, most recently on artificial intelligence, Mr Lee's chief of staff, Mr Kang Hoon-sik , told a briefing. Among other ministerial positions, Mr Lee named Dr Kim Jung-kwan , president of power plant builder Doosan Enerbility and a veteran bureaucrat in economics, energy and public policy, to be industry minister. Dr Kim fits the role to realise President Lee's 'energy mix philosophy', Mr Kang said, referring the new leader's aim to balance nuclear power and renewable energy. The former head of South Korea's disease control agency, Dr Jeong Eun-kyeong , was nominated for health minister. She was highly praised for her response to the Covid-19 pandemic, becoming one of the Time Magazine's 100 most influential people of 2020. Cabinet nominations in South Korea must be vetted by hearings in parliament. But presidents may appoint their nominees even without parliament approval, and Mr Lee's Democratic Party has a majority in parliament. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Straits Times
S'pore increased its security posture amid rising tensions from Iran-Israel conflict: Shanmugam
Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam speaking on the sidelines of a community event in Nee Soon on June 28. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO SINGAPORE – Singapore has increased its security posture amid rising tensions from the Iran-Israel conflict, said Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of a community event in Nee Soon on June 28, he said: 'There is a ceasefire, but we don't know exactly what will happen after this.' People in this region, other regions, or extremist organisations might want to make a point against Israeli, American or other Western assets, he said, adding that there could be attacks from the far right on Muslim assets. If Singapore is ever attacked, it will make international headlines, he said. There is a possibility of attacks on both sides, he said, either by the far right attacking Muslims, or representatives of Muslim countries including Iran, and attacks on Western assets – American, European, or Israeli. 'So we have increased our security posture, working off different scenarios, but you know, you can never be absolutely sure,' he added. When asked by the media if there have been more suspicious activities or extreme activities since the US air strikes on Iran nuclear facilities, Mr Shanmugam, who is also Home Affairs Minister, said the authorities have not detected anything here yet. 'But they need to succeed only once,' he said, adding that security is a joint responsibility and Singaporeans will need to be more aware of potential security threats. Addressing the conflict between Iran and Israel, Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing recently also told the media on June 25 that retaliation from Iran may not be limited to targets in America or Israel. Mr Chan said that the retaliation could be anywhere else, and could stoke up emotions in the region. These conflicts have resulted in greater security concerns, he had said. Mr Shanmugam on June 28 also said that the Government is looking at the possible 'outflows' to Singapore, in response to Thailand recently recriminalising cannabis. 'The nexus between drugs and crime, and terrorism, also needs to be looked at.' 'We try to maintain our openness and our connectivity, and our business-friendly environment,' he said. 'It is a bit early to say what is going to happen, but we have to be more careful.' Thailand's health ministry on June 24 issued an order prohibiting the sale of cannabis for recreational use and requiring a doctor's prescription for any retail purchase. Mr Shanmugam said that when Thailand decriminalised cannabis previously, there were many people with more liberal views who asked if Singapore was going to change as well. 'I said the Singapore Government decides not based on what other countries do. We take a hard look, we look at the science, we look at the social impact, and the actual impact and we run the government of Singapore and the policies in the best interests of Singaporeans,' he said. 'And I am absolutely convinced, the Cabinet is absolutely convinced that the right policy is to be strict on drugs, and you can see, the people who asked for liberalisation, are shutting their eyes deliberately to what is happening around the world and the immense harm.' 'We work in the best interests of Singaporeans, and it was the right policy to keep it criminalised, not soften our stance, and that remains the right policy,' he added. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Over $2.4 million raised for humanitarian aid in Gaza
(From left) Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF) CEO Adnan Abdul Hamid, RLAF chairman Abdul Razak Maricar, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim and Unicef partnerships specialist Kenneth Wong at the cheque presentation ceremony. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN SINGAPORE – More than $2.4 million was raised from Feb 24 to April 6 for Aid for Gaza 2025 in an SG60 community fund-raising initiative together with M³@Towns. The contributions will go towards providing food, clean water, medical supplies, healthcare and education for affected families in Gaza. The fund-raiser was organised by Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF), in collaboration with the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), the Egyptian Red Crescent and local humanitarian partner Humanity Matter s. M³@Towns are community-based platforms in Singapore that bring together volunteers and professionals from the Malay/Muslim community to serve the needs of residents, particularly in areas like social and educational support. A mock cheque for $1 million was presented to Unicef in a ceremony at the Singapore Islamic Hub on June 27, but the UN agency will receive the full sum raised. Speaking at the event, Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim said: 'Today's cheque handover represents more than just financial aid. It reflects our common humanity and deep desire to alleviate the suffering of those in Gaza.' RLAF said it was heartened to share that the funds raised through the campaign reflected 'the continued outpouring of generosity from Singaporeans'. Donors included a hospital; food and beverage, home renovation and travel and tour businesses; temples and individual donors. The foundation, with the support from the community and partners, has raised more than $15 million for Gaza across four campaigns since November 2023. Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas have been at war since October 2023. Despite agreeing to a six-week ceasefire in January 2025, the violence and death toll have escalated. On June 25, the Associated Press reported that Israeli forces opened fire on hundreds of Palestinians waiting for aid in separate incidents in southern and central Gaza early on June 24 , killing at least 4 4 . Gaza health authorities said the number of Palestinians killed in the war has risen above 56,000. Associate Professor Faishal said: 'We are hopeful of any indications or signal that shows a movement towards peace in the Middle East. 'So what we hope is that all the different parties will look at opportunities to bring people together... to see how they can help to promote and at the same time, achieve peace among themselves.' Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.