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Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
PAP has to retain its position for S'pore 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 July 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 Sept 5 - will have 12 opposition MPs including two Non-Constituency MPs. The opposition had also secured 12 seats in the 2020 General Election. 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, Mr Daniel Liu, Mr Faisal Abdul Aziz, Mr Adrian Ang, and Mr Jagathishwaran Rajo for Aljunied GRC; and Mr 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.
Straits Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Man to be charged after he allegedly damaged PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Members of the Singapore Police Force seen taking evidential photographs of vandalised PAP flags in the early hours of May 4. SINGAPORE – A 57-year-old man will be charged in court on July 4 for a litany of offences that he committed on Polling Day. In a statement on July 3 , the police said the man had allegedly damaged campaign materials belonging to a political party in Hougang Avenue 5 on May 3 . He allegedly broke flag poles and tore down campaign posters, which The Straits Times understands belonged to the PAP . The area where the incident took place falls under Hougang SMC, where c riminal lawyer Marshall Lim represented the ruling party against the WP's Dennis Tan , who is also a lawyer. Mr Tan, who was the incumbent MP of Hougang SMC, secured a second consecutive term in Parliament after securing 62.17 per cent of the vote during the general election. Mr Lim had been late to arrive at Bedok Stadium on the night of May 3, where PAP supporters had gathered to await the election results. He said he had been held back by some acts of vandalism at the PAP's branch in Hougang. The man who allegedly committed them had torn up the party's flags and posters attached to a perambulating vehicle, and Mr Lim said he stayed back to make sure that his volunteers were well taken care of. No injuries were reported. In their statement, the police said the man was also alleged to be verbally abusive towards party volunteers who were present at the scene, and had allegedly pushed two of them. They added that the man appeared to be intoxicated during the incident, and was subsequently arrested. He faces multiple charges, which consist of committing mischief, intentional harassment, using criminal force and causing annoyance while drunk. If found guilty of committing mischief, a person can be jailed for up to t wo years, fined, or both . Those found to have committed intentional harassment can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to $5,000, or both. Using criminal force carries a jail term of up to three months, a fine of up to $1,500, or both. If convicted of causing annoyance while drunk, a person can be jailed for up to six months, fined up to $1,000, or both for first-time offenders.
New Paper
05-05-2025
- Politics
- New Paper
GE2025: WP chief Pritam Singh to remain Leader of the Opposition
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.
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: WP chief Pritam Singh to remain Leader of the Opposition, says PM Wong
PM Lawrence Wong (right) said Mr Pritam Singh will continue as Leader of the Opposition, with staff and resources to perform his duties. PHOTO: LAWRENCE WONG/INSTAGRAM GE2025: WP chief Pritam Singh to remain Leader of the Opposition, says PM Wong SINGAPORE - 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. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
03-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
WP's Dennis Tan wins Hougang SMC with 62.17% of votes over PAP's Marshall Lim, Singapore News
Results for Hougang SMC in GE2025 Dennis Tan (WP) 62.17% Marshall Lim (PAP) 37.83% The Workers' Party (WP) has won Hougang SMC against the People's Action Party (PAP). WP's Dennis Tan received 16,900 votes while PAP's Marshall Lim received 10,285 votes. Hougang SMC has 29,464 electors. In the 2020 general election, WP won Hougang SMC with a vote share of 61.19 per cent against PAP. The constituency is a WP stronghold, having been under the opposition party's hold since its former chief Low Thia Khiang won in the 1991 general election. During his only rally on April 30, Lim argued that residents should not be beholden to this history and reputation, and that they have a chance to change this every five years. WP chief Pritam Singh also suggested that Lim had appropriated Hougang's "fighting spirit" in his campaign, a notion the latter rejected. For our GE2025 microsite, visit here. tp@
