Latest news with #Aljunied
CNA
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Commentary: GE2025 cements Workers' Party as Singapore's leading opposition party
The Workers' Party (WP) stood its ground at Aljunied, Sengkang and Hougang, and put up close fights at Jalan Kayu and Tampines, retaining 10 seats and adding two more Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seats. This cements WP as the leading opposition party in Singapore. As the dust settles from GE2025, it has become apparent that opposition parties fall into three tiers. WP is Tier 1, having demonstrated an ability to breach the 40 per cent vote share in the constituencies they contest. Tier 2 parties are the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) who can break past 30 per cent. Tier 3 parties are the rest, including Red Dot United (RDU) and the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR). For political survival, Tier 3 parties need to consider banding together to offer a unified message. Having contested 62 compared to 50 seats by Tier 1 and 2 parties, their courage and commitment are commendable. However, it will be more effective to have fewer parties doing more work together than many parties doing limited work on their own. LACKLUSTRE RESULTS FOR SDP AND PSP Moving up the tiers, both SDP and PSP have expressed disappointment in poorer-than-expected showing. SDP's Dr Paul Tambyah's vote share dropped 7.7 percentage points in Bukit Panjang SMC. This loss may be a result of the PAP's Liang Eng Hwa's ground operations since GE2020. Mr Liang seized the incumbency advantage and worked the ground to swing votes in the PAP's favour. That makes Dr Chee Soon Juan's performance extraordinary, winning nearly 47 per cent when he stood for the first time at Sembawang West SMC against incumbent Poh Li San. Dr Chee may be on a cusp of a breakthrough into parliament as NCMP or MP in the next GE. The disappointment stung most for PSP at West Coast-Jurong West GRC, who cited redrawn boundaries as the key driver for its loss. Boundary changes are a 'known unknown' in every election that could affect vote share either way. It is curious why the A-team of Tan Cheng Bock, Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa did not secure more than 40 per cent of the vote. Could the Biden factor, where old age is a consideration, weigh on voters' minds with regards to Mr Tan? Were voters dissuaded by Mr Leong's belligerence in parliament? While we unpack voter perceptions of the PSP, we cannot discount the PAP's performance in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, and the 'anchor minister effect' provided by National Development Minister Desmond Lee. His ministry's recent HDB policy changes may have blunted criticisms in this regard by the PSP. WP PLAYS THE LONG GAME Much will be debated about the WP's strategy. Were they too conservative by not contesting more wards, or sending more party stalwarts into new territory? I think not. In turbulence, Aljunied GRC voters preferred the status quo where WP's vote share has stabilised to nearly 60 per cent. By keeping the slate of candidates mostly unchanged, it also consolidated its hold on Sengkang GRC. The WP was rewarded with a 4 percentage point bump in Sengkang, suggesting that ground operations and hard work outweighed the Raeesah Khan saga. It is unrealistic to win a GRC on a first try. WP seems to be playing the long game by fielding the best possible teams, without compromising Aljunied and Sengkang, to gauge baseline support in new playing fields. Now that they know, they can anchor and adjust going into the next GE. VOTERS WANT IDEAS, NOT JUST IDEALS What is remarkable is how the independent candidates performed in GE2025. Despite no party platform and machinery, Jeremy Tan punched above his weight in Mountbatten SMC to achieve the vote share of Tier 2 opposition parties. Singapore voters may have appreciated independent candidates for their fresh policy proposals, backed by research. This augurs well for our maturing political landscape where Singaporeans are putting candidate above party. More broadly, parties in the upper tiers leaned into foregrounding their policy ideas in manifestos, and airing them during rally speeches. WP's Andre Low who secured 48.5 per cent of votes in Jalan Kayu SMC spoke passionately about public housing policies. The SDP proffered their single-payer healthcare system across several rallies while the PSP emphasised changes to the Goods and Service Tax. THE NEW PROTEST VOTE? Several observers have sounded the alarm that voter turnout in 2025 was the lowest since 1968 in terms of percentage. If spoilt votes are added, nearly 1 in 10 Singaporeans didn't vote or spoilt their vote in 2025 (excluding voters in walkover constituencies) – a 50 per cent jump from 2020. While some have attributed voter absences to the timing of GE2025 over a long weekend, when Singaporeans could have been travelling, it is worrying if it arises from a broader pattern of political disengagement. Could this be the new protest vote? Previously, a protest vote was framed as a vote for the opposition. As our democracy matures, a protest vote seems to be shifting from an opposition vote to a non-or-spoilt vote. This is more insidious and chips away at our political exceptionalism. Could this present a unique opportunity for opposition parties? Might it be easier to convince undecided, apathetic or disillusioned voters than convert PAP supporters? Regardless, this is a phenomenon that bears watching.
Independent Singapore
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
PM Wong confirms Pritam Singh to remain as leader of the opposition
Screengrab from Featured News Singapore Politics SINGAPORE: In a Facebook post on May 5, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh would stay as the leader of the opposition in Singapore. The role, which comes with improved governmental privileges, extra staffing, and access to private consultations, was first conferred to Singh after the general election in 2020. According to the latest CNA report, PM Wong recognised the WP's performance in the May 3 elections, saying the party 'fielded a strong slate of candidates and put up a tough fight.' Aside from an office, Singh will have institutional support essential to accomplishing his obligations, such as conference amenities in Parliament House and a yearly stipend of S$385,000, double that of a regular Member of Parliament (MP). WP holds ground, retains 10 elected seats and poised to add two NCMPs The WP upheld its parliamentary existence with 10 elected MPs, effectively protecting the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Sengkang GRC, and Hougang Single Member Constituency (SMC). In Aljunied, the WP team, directed by Singh, held a compact 59.68% of the vote. Hougang, a long-time opposition stronghold, saw the WP slash 62.17%, while Sengkang returned a 56.31% vote share. While the party did not seize new electorates, it recorded robust performance in numerous areas, including Tampines and Jalan Kayu, whose contenders came within a prominent distance of triumph. WP newcomer Andre Low got 48.53% in Jalan Kayu SMC, while the Tampines GRC team, controlled by vice-chair Faisal Manap, gathered 47.37% in a four-cornered contest. These outcomes enable the WP to two Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats in the city-state's 15th Parliament, guaranteeing no less than 12 opposition voices under the NCMP structure. Although the group has yet to affirm who will assume the NCMP roles, Singh stated that a decision will soon be announced. Within the Tampines team, members are distinguished experts, such as clinical psychologist Ong Lue Ping, former diplomat Eileen Chong, and technology entrepreneur Michael Thng. A competitive political landscape amid PAP dominance Notwithstanding the People's Action Party (PAP) getting 87 of 97 seats and attaining 65.57% of the general vote, the WP's sustained polling strength indicates a tough opposition within the ever-changing political environment. PM Wong articulated his sincerity to 'the contributions of the Workers' Party members in Parliament,' stressing the value of healthy and vigorous deliberations in Singapore's lawmaking process. The May 3 outcomes strengthen the WP's tactical grip and fortify Pritam Singh's leadership and management as a feature in Singapore's political processes. With official support and a revitalized mandate, Singh is expected to continue influencing nationwide discourse from the opposition worktable.
AsiaOne
04-05-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
'We've done very commendably': WP's Pritam 'proud' despite landslide PAP's GE2025 win, Singapore News
The results of the 2025 General Election showed that the "challenges are real" for opposition parties to make further inroads in Singapore's political system, said Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh. "I keep telling people… that we are a small party, and I hope you have gotten a perspective of why I say that," said Singh at Bedok Reservoir Food Centre on Sunday (April 4). "But the least we can do for fellow Singaporeans is to do our best. And in these elections, I'm actually very proud to say the Workers' Party did its best. And I think everybody associated with the party should be very proud of themselves." These were his first comments to reporters after Singapore took to the ballot boxes the previous day. The ruling PAP recorded a landslide victory with 65.57 per cent of the popular vote, winning 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats. It also had commanding swing from its 61.24 per cent share in the last general election. The WP, meanwhile, managed to retain 10 of the seats from Aljunied and Sengkang GRC, as well as its stronghold of Hougang GRC. Despite fielding what WP leaders described as their "best ever slate of candidates" — some 26 of them in five GRCs and three SMCs — the opposition party failed to win further seats in this election. The WP's vote share, at 50.04 per cent, was also a slight 0.45 dip from 2020. But Singh said that this figure is "incredibly negligible", when compared to the "nationwide swing in favour of the PAP". "I think we've done very commendably," he said, adding that the "wider international environment" might have resonated with some voters. Singh was also asked if the results were what his party had expected after the nine days of campaigning. This was after long lines of people were seen queuing up to take selfies with some of the WP's new faces, and thousands of spectators reported watching their rallies. "We never assumed that just because there's a lot of support online or on the ground, that will translate into votes," said Singh. "That's up to the Singaporean voter to determine, but our job is to make sure we put up a good slate and put up a good proposition for Singaporeans." On his party's strategy, Singh said that he "understood the sentiment" that the WP could have won more seats if it had fielded a stronger team with fewer new faces. The party saw close contests in Punggol GRC, Tampines GRC, as well as the single-seat ward in Jalan Kayu. "But you see, if you put somebody else, then either you weaken another team, or you strengthen another team, and then your overall strategy is not in equilibrium anymore," he said. Singh's five-member Aljunied slate comprising of WP chair Sylvia Lim, Gerald Giam, Fadli Fawzi and Kenneth Tiong retained the constituency with 59.68 per cent of votes, defeating the PAP's 40.32 per cent. There were handshakes, hugs and even offers of beer from supporters during Sunday's walkabout at the coffee shop. Aljunied resident Tong Siew Peng, 67, said that she had been waiting for nearly five hours at the coffee shop to greet Singh. "He's my idol. So warm and friendly," the WP supporter said, who was with her five-year-old grand daughter wielding an inflatable hammer. Following the election results, The WP will also be offered two Non-Constituency MP seats, after its showing in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC, which had the highest vote percentages among losers at the polls. In Tampines GRC, WP won 47.37 per cent of the votes, while in Jalan Kayu SMC, Low secured 48.53 per cent of the votes. After clarifying that the party has not decided on the NCMP appointments, Lim said that she sees the election results not a setback, but an "opportunity". "If you look at the 10 MPs that are elected, actually three of them have not been in parliament before," she said, pointing to Aljunied GRC's Fadli and Tiong, as well as Sengkang GRC's new face Abdul Muhaimin. "So, these are our up-and-coming young leaders that will now have a seat in parliament and demonstrate what they can do and what the party can do for our electorate and for Singaporeans in general," Singh, meanwhile, reiterated that his party is a "force for good" — a line he has repeated throughout the campaigning. "We did our best… the PAP is going to do everything it can to make sure that the tide of the opposition is halted, and it's our job to try and make sure that we can communicate our message to the public and inform them why it is in our self-interest to move towards a more balanced political system," he said. [[nid:717651]] chingshijie@
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
GE2025: A vote for WP is a vote for the future, say its candidates
Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE – A vote for the WP will not just determine the results of this election, but will also shape the future of Singapore, party candidates said on May 1 as they made a final plea to voters. 'Let us build on what we have achieved in Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang and take the next step to send a clear message from Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat, that Singapore wants a Parliament that listens and a rational, responsible and credible opposition,' said WP's Aljunied GRC candidate Gerald Giam. Party chair Sylvia Lim, who is also on the Aljunied slate, said: 'You may only have one vote, but together, our votes can chart the future.' At the party's last rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, candidates spoke about the party's achievements in Parliament and at town councils. WP MPs have 'punched above (their) weight', asking more than 2,300 parliamentary questions and bringing up issues including leaked NRIC numbers on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's digital service portal and the Income-Allianz deal that was eventually aborted, said Mr Giam. The party's town councils are also directly managed and on solid financial footing, he added. Now, the party was ready to do more, he said, calling on voters to vote for the WP for a more balanced Parliament and to chart a better course for Singapore. Several candidates spoke about how the PAP has lost its way. Mr Michael Thng, a WP candidate for Tampines GRC, referred to the authorities spending $400,000 to consult an external agency to rebrand Marina Bay, only to end up reusing its original name. This was in 2004. He also cited the $40 million budget to support the continued use of older ez-link cards after the Land Transport Authority shelved its plans for SimplyGo. He likened the PAP to a multinational company that was once at the top of its game but has now 'stopped imagining boldly, and has started protecting what (it) has'. 'They are not able to deal with the challenges that lie ahead, or creative enough to find new ways to solve them. This is not the PAP of big, bold, forward-looking ideas,' he said. Aljunied GRC candidate Kenneth Tiong, meanwhile, criticised the Government's willingness to sell 'strategic national assets built over decades' to foreign players, pointing to this as a reason Singapore has not produced what he called domestic growth engines. This mentality was apparent in the sale of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in 2009 and shipping company Neptune Orient Lines in 2016, and the attempted sale – later stopped by an Act of Parliament – of Income Insurance to German insurer Allianz in 2024. Associate Professor Jamus Lim, an incumbent WP MP for Sengkang GRC, said it was the WP's 'longstanding' ideas adopted by the Government that have made Singaporean lives better – among others, better financial support for unemployed workers, higher pay for national servicemen and better protection for scam victims. 'Without an opposition presence in Parliament, far fewer inconvenient questions would have been asked, and mistakes made by the Government would not have been held to account in the same way,' he said. The candidates also took the chance to address voters' concerns about voting for the opposition, with some like Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap arguing that voting for the WP would result in more parties serving residents. In Aljunied GRC, residents now have the WP serving them, in addition to the PAP continuing to labour in the wards to win back votes and the People's Association organising events during festivities. WP-held wards have already enjoyed this windfall, such as double celebrations on occasions like Christmas, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, Mr Faisal said. Mr Giam, who has contested four general elections, meanwhile assured voters that their vote is secret. He said he had followed the entire voting process until the incineration of the ballot papers, and guaranteed that safeguards are in place. His fellow Aljunied GRC candidate Fadli Fawzi added: 'Last election, almost one million Singaporeans courageously voted against the PAP in hopes of seeing genuine change. Do you think the Government can monitor everyone in times of global uncertainty?' Urging voters to give their vote to the WP on May 3, Ms Lim said: 'Let's make a promise that come Saturday, we will vote not out of fear but with conviction and hope for the future that we deserve, that years from now, we can proudly say that we stood up and worked for Singapore as we passed the baton to the next generation.' Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
The Star
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore GE2025: A vote for WP is a vote for the future, say its candidates
SINGAPORE: A vote for the WP will not just determine the results of this election, but will also shape the future of Singapore, party candidates said on Thursday (May 1) as they made a final plea to voters. 'Let us build on what we have achieved in Aljunied, Hougang and Sengkang and take the next step to send a clear message from Punggol, Tampines, East Coast, Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat, that Singapore wants a Parliament that listens and a rational, responsible and credible opposition,' said WP's Aljunied GRC candidate Gerald Giam. Party chair Sylvia Lim, who is also on the Aljunied slate, said: 'You may only have one vote, but together, our votes can chart the future.' At the party's last rally at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, candidates spoke about the party's achievements in Parliament and at town councils. WP MPs have 'punched above (their) weight', asking more than 2,300 parliamentary questions and bringing up issues including leaked NRIC numbers on the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority's digital service portal and the Income-Allianz deal that was eventually aborted, said Giam. The party's town councils are also directly managed and on solid financial footing, he added. Now, the party was ready to do more, he said, calling on voters to vote for the WP for a more balanced Parliament and to chart a better course for Singapore. Several candidates spoke about how the PAP has lost its way. Michael Thng, a WP candidate for Tampines GRC, referred to the authorities spendings S$400,000 to consult an external agency to rebrand Marina Bay, only to end up reusing its original name. This was in 2004. He also cited the $40 million budget to support the continued use of older ez-link cards after the Land Transport Authority shelved its plans for SimplyGo. He likened the PAP to a multinational company that was once at the top of its game but has now 'stopped imagining boldly, and has started protecting what (it) has'. 'They are not able to deal with the challenges that lie ahead, or creative enough to find new ways to solve them. This is not the PAP of big, bold, forward-looking ideas,' he said. Aljunied GRC candidate Kenneth Tiong, meanwhile, criticised the Government's willingness to sell 'strategic national assets built over decades' to foreign players, pointing to this as a reason Singapore has not produced what he called domestic growth engines. This mentality was apparent in the sale of Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing in 2009 and shipping company Neptune Orient Lines in 2016, and the attempted sale – later stopped by an Act of Parliament – of Income Insurance to German insurer Allianz in 2024. Associate Professor Jamus Lim, an incumbent WP MP for Sengkang GRC, said it was the WP's 'longstanding' ideas adopted by the Government that have made Singaporean lives better – among others, better financial support for unemployed workers, higher pay for national servicemen and better protection for scam victims. 'Without an opposition presence in Parliament, far fewer inconvenient questions would have been asked, and mistakes made by the Government would not have been held to account in the same way,' he said. The candidates also took the chance to address voters' concerns about voting for the opposition, with some like Tampines GRC candidate Faisal Manap arguing that voting for the WP would result in more parties serving residents. In Aljunied GRC, residents now have the WP serving them, in addition to the PAP continuing to labour in the wards to win back votes and the People's Association organising events during festivities. WP-held wards have already enjoyed this windfall, such as double celebrations on occasions like Christmas, Chinese New Year and Deepavali, Faisal said. Giam, who has contested four general elections, meanwhile assured voters that their vote is secret. He said he had followed the entire voting process until the incineration of the ballot papers, and guaranteed that safeguards are in place. His fellow Aljunied GRC candidate Fadli Fawzi added: 'Last election, almost one million Singaporeans courageously voted against the PAP in hopes of seeing genuine change. Do you think the Government can monitor everyone in times of global uncertainty?' Urging voters to give their vote to the WP on May 3, Lim said: 'Let's make a promise that come Saturday, we will vote not out of fear but with conviction and hope for the future that we deserve, that years from now, we can proudly say that we stood up and worked for Singapore as we passed the baton to the next generation.' - The Straits Times/ANN
