https://www.scmp.com/rss/521023/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Kolette Lim,Jean Iau Kolette Lim,Jean Iau Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Wednesday accepted the Workers’ Party’s (WP) rejection of his invitation to nominate a replacement for the Leader of the Opposition (LO) role, saying that it would be left vacant. In a statement hours after the WP turned down the offer, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said: “The office of the LO will therefore remain vacant until such time that the WP is ready to nominate someone to take on this responsibility.” The PMO agreed that the leader of the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340689/singapores-workers-party-rejects-leader-opposition-position?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3340689/singapores-workers-party-rejects-leader-opposition-position?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 21 Jan 2026 09:02:15 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau In an unprecedented move in Singapore, Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh could be stripped of his title as Leader of Opposition and lose his privileges when Singapore’s parliamentarians debate his suitability for the role next week, legal experts say. Singh was the first to be appointed to the official role in 2020 by then prime minister Lee Hsien Loong after the general election that year, when the WP won a record 10 out of 93 seats. On Friday, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah tabled a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339351/could-singapore-remove-pritam-singh-leader-opposition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3339351/could-singapore-remove-pritam-singh-leader-opposition?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:30:14 +0000 Jean Iau,Kolette Lim Jean Iau,Kolette Lim Singapore saw plenty of drama unfold this year, from pickleball courts to the Supreme Court. The city state was gripped by election fever in May, when the People’s Action Party maintained its dominance at the polls. On the trade front, Washington’s imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Singapore elicited a strong reaction from Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The jury is still out on whether US President Donald Trump would introduce levies on pharmaceuticals and semiconductors, which could deliver... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3337732/singapore-2025-election-fever-courtroom-drama-pickleball-mania?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3337732/singapore-2025-election-fever-courtroom-drama-pickleball-mania?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 03:00:09 +0000 Kolette Lim,Jean Iau Kolette Lim,Jean Iau It has been six months since the national polls concluded in Singapore, but the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is not resting on its laurels. A popular line among party faithfuls is that the PAP begins preparing for the next election the day after winning one. But a recent series of salvoes against its main opponent, the Workers’ Party (WP) and leader Pritam Singh suggests a new intensity, if not strategy. Observers point to a calculated PAP approach outside election season as its... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3332868/why-singapores-pap-taking-aim-opposition-wp-so-soon-after-election?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3332868/why-singapores-pap-taking-aim-opposition-wp-so-soon-after-election?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Nov 2025 04:00:10 +0000 CNA CNA In the lead-up to the 2025 general election, Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong received cautionary messages from People’s Action Party (PAP) members and supporters urging him to “be prepared” to lose some seats. Speaking at the PAP Awards and Convention on Sunday, Wong said these well-wishers had shared various predictions, prompting him to mentally prepare for all possible outcomes. “When the results came out, the same people who had messaged me earlier said to me: ‘Sorry, we should have... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3332089/singapore-pm-reflects-election-win-says-pap-faced-very-tough-fights-several-wards?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3332089/singapore-pm-reflects-election-win-says-pap-faced-very-tough-fights-several-wards?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 05:03:02 +0000 Jean Iau,Kolette Lim Jean Iau,Kolette Lim Singapore’s government has reinforced its bottomline of zero tolerance for the politics of race and religion as well as foreign interference, arguing that such elements should be rejected swiftly. In parliament on Tuesday, Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh and Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam disagreed on the “timing” and “substance” of the WP in rejecting election endorsements by a self-styled Islamic preacher Noor Deros and Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party (PAS)... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3329017/singapore-doubles-down-zero-tolerance-identity-politics-foreign-interference?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3329017/singapore-doubles-down-zero-tolerance-identity-politics-foreign-interference?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Oct 2025 13:51:39 +0000 CNA CNA While Singaporeans rejected calls to vote along racial and religious lines in the May General Election, the temptation to play this card will grow as polls become more tightly contested, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Wednesday. He said the country’s unity depends on how it conducts its politics, and that a constructive way forward must include welcoming opposition views in parliament. The government will also do more to engage and involve Singaporeans outside the House, Wong added. He was... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3326699/singapore-pm-lawrence-wong-warns-unity-stake-racial-and-religious-divides-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3326699/singapore-pm-lawrence-wong-warns-unity-stake-racial-and-religious-divides-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Sep 2025 09:57:02 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau The gap in the credibility scores separating Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) and main opposition the Workers’ Party (WP) is narrowing, while an uptick in young conservative voters contributed to the PAP’s triumph at the May election, a survey has revealed. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s first general election as PAP chief on May 3 bucked the trend of new leaders in the city state seeing a decline in the ruling PAP’s popular vote, with his party enjoying a vote-share swing in its favour... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324098/gap-between-singapores-pap-wp-credibility-scores-narrows-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324098/gap-between-singapores-pap-wp-credibility-scores-narrows-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 14:06:27 +0000 Jean Iau Jean Iau Few political parties in the world know dominance the way Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) does, as it looks set to become the longest-running administration in modern history. Following a resounding victory in May’s general election, the city state will on Friday open its 15th parliament that will largely resemble previous party alignments. The ruling party will continue to occupy a supermajority of seats, now at 87 of the 97 elected seats while its main rival, the Workers’ Party (WP),... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323732/will-singapores-pap-rule-forever?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3323732/will-singapores-pap-rule-forever?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 30 Aug 2025 00:00:20 +0000 Kimberly Lim Kimberly Lim Singapore’s newly appointed acting minister-in-charge of Muslim affairs began his first hours in the role by condemning a controversial social-media commentator for attacking former president Halimah Yacob’s support for Palestinians in Gaza – taking a markedly firmer stance than his predecessor. “Many in our Muslim community, as well as Singaporeans from all walks of life, continue to feel deeply about the tragedy unfolding in Palestine. That includes our former president, Mdm Halimah Yacob,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311651/singapores-new-muslim-affairs-minister-lays-down-firm-stance-gaza-issue?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311651/singapores-new-muslim-affairs-minister-lays-down-firm-stance-gaza-issue?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 24 May 2025 05:39:00 +0000 Kimberly Lim Kimberly Lim Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged to chart a course through a world order he described as turbulent and uncertain, while promising a more consultative style of governance as his new cabinet was sworn in on Friday night. Addressing 600 guests who gathered at the Istana lawn for the ceremony, Wong said that amid a turbulent world, “Singaporeans voted for a strong and stable government while re-electing opposition MPs in the constituencies they held”. He described the result of the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311614/singapore-cabinet-sworn-pm-lawrence-wong-vows-steer-country-through-new-world-order?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311614/singapore-cabinet-sworn-pm-lawrence-wong-vows-steer-country-through-new-world-order?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 23 May 2025 13:18:04 +0000 Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim While Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke at length about seeking experience and stability amid uncertain times as he revealed his new cabinet line-up on Wednesday, the changes he made to his team may signal a receptiveness to the people’s mandate. Two weeks after his party’s decisive win at the general election, Wong was expected to announce shifts to replace retiring ministers such as defence chief Ng Eng Hen, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Senior Minister Teo Chee... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311345/singapore-cabinet-changes-show-pm-lawrence-wongs-consultative-approach?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311345/singapore-cabinet-changes-show-pm-lawrence-wongs-consultative-approach?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 22 May 2025 06:43:16 +0000 Kimberly Lim Kimberly Lim The Workers’ Party (WP), Singapore’s main opposition party, has announced that its members Andre Low and Eileen Chong will take up the two Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) seats given to the “best losers” in an election. In a statement on Monday after the announcement by the city state’s election authorities, the WP said it remained “steadfast in our mission of working for Singapore”. “All WP Members of Parliament will carry forward the Workers’ Party’s long-standing mission to... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3310953/singapore-election-workers-partys-andre-low-and-eileen-chong-chosen-ncmps?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3310953/singapore-election-workers-partys-andre-low-and-eileen-chong-chosen-ncmps?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 May 2025 11:59:23 +0000 Kimberly Lim Kimberly Lim As the May 3 election results trickled in, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan found himself again on the wrong side of the electoral ledger – a familiar outcome in a three-decade political journey defined as much by its longevity as its unending losing streak. His fight in the single-seat constituency of Sembawang West, with 46.81 per cent of the vote against a ruling-party candidate, was his best performance in the polls since 1997 and the third-closest of the night, coming... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3310554/inside-minds-singapores-opposition-members-why-do-they-keep-coming-back?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3310554/inside-minds-singapores-opposition-members-why-do-they-keep-coming-back?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 May 2025 07:30:07 +0000 Jean Iau,Nicole Cheah Jean Iau,Nicole Cheah A recent survey after Singapore’s 14th general election has found that while most voters in the city state are satisfied with its outcome, less than half of Gen Z voters expressed approval of the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) resounding victory. The study, conducted by market research firm YouGov and released on Sunday, polled 1,533 Singaporeans aged 21 and above between May 4 and May 9 in the wake of the PAP returning to power with 65.57 per cent of the popular vote and clinching 87 of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3310432/why-singapores-gen-z-voters-are-less-satisfied-election-results?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3310432/why-singapores-gen-z-voters-are-less-satisfied-election-results?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 15 May 2025 06:03:22 +0000 Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau As the dust of Singapore’s 14th general election settles, attention has shifted to the next big reveal: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s first cabinet, which could be in the coming week if previous timelines are any indication. But over the past week, any post-election talk or discussion on what the cabinet could look like has been overshadowed by the publication of two viral photos of a convicted so-called Fujian gang leader with potential ministers. The denials by the ministers of any... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3309495/attention-singapore-cabinet-reveal-sidetracked-ministers-photos-fujian-gang-member?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3309495/attention-singapore-cabinet-reveal-sidetracked-ministers-photos-fujian-gang-member?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 08 May 2025 02:09:56 +0000 Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau Singapore’s opposition parties entered the 14th general election on Saturday buoyed by loud public discontent over rising cost of living and an electorate widely seen as craving political diversity. However, in the quiet of the ballot box, Singaporeans opted not to give the opposition further inroads across several hot wards – with the Workers’ Party (WP) retaining its seats and smaller challengers propping up the ruling party’s landslide vote share. The People’s Action Party (PAP) clinched 87... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3309043/singapore-election-whats-blame-oppositions-failure-make-inroads?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3309043/singapore-election-whats-blame-oppositions-failure-make-inroads?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 04 May 2025 14:29:45 +0000 Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) won the general election on Saturday in a massive victory to secure 65.57 per cent of the vote as the opposition failed to make any breakthrough, in an outcome analysts said reflected voters’ worries about an economy hit by global turbulence. The PAP’s vote share marked a reversal of its 2020 figure of 61.24 per cent, with six group representation constituencies (GRC) and four single seats scoring at least 75 per cent for the ruling party. Three of them... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308992/singapore-election-how-ruling-pap-scored-landslide-win-denying-breakthrough-opposition?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308992/singapore-election-how-ruling-pap-scored-landslide-win-denying-breakthrough-opposition?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 May 2025 20:48:41 +0000 Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Singapore voters on Saturday headed to the polls after taking in the calm of cooling-off day following a frenetic nine days of election campaigning. While hot-button issues such as cost of living and plurality in parliament versus the security of a PAP-led government form the main themes, the electorate cast their ballots with rally catchphrases ringing in their ears and political memes dancing on their minds. Here’s what voters may have been thinking of as they stamped their political choices... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308968/singapore-election-podcasts-memes-chiobu-look-back-hustings-colour?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308968/singapore-election-podcasts-memes-chiobu-look-back-hustings-colour?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 May 2025 12:06:52 +0000 SCMP’s Asia desk SCMP’s Asia desk This live blog has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Some 2.63 million Singaporeans headed to the polls on Saturday in a general election that served as a defining test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership, just less than a year after he took over from Lee Hsien Loong. A total of 92 parliamentary seats were contested across 32... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308943/singapore-election-nation-awaits-peoples-verdict-voting-closes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308943/singapore-election-nation-awaits-peoples-verdict-voting-closes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 May 2025 12:02:51 +0000 Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim,Agencies Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim,Agencies Singaporeans began voting on Saturday in a general election where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong faces his first major test against the opposition, with the rising cost of living among major issues debated by parties in the past week of campaigning. Wong’s People’s Action Party (PAP) has won every election since the city state gained independence in 1965. Wong, who took office last year, hopes to clinch a stronger mandate. Voters trickled in to schools and other designated polling stations to cast... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308920/singaporeans-vote-election-overshadowed-cost-living-pressures?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308920/singaporeans-vote-election-overshadowed-cost-living-pressures?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 May 2025 00:05:48 +0000 Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau Kimberly Lim,Jean Iau A charged election campaign ended in Singapore late on Thursday after nine days of the ruling party and the opposition trading accusations about negative politics, forging an uneasy truce to denounce race politics and arguing the need for a strong cabinet versus a plural parliament. Then there were memes about how one was not gay, how the sun always rose whatever one felt about it and foul-mouthed rants of a hot-headed candidate, along with the serious topic of an aborted sale of home-grown... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308733/singapore-election-competing-narratives-weakened-cabinet-if-pap-loses-seats-vs-balanced-parliament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308733/singapore-election-competing-narratives-weakened-cabinet-if-pap-loses-seats-vs-balanced-parliament?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 May 2025 14:33:50 +0000 Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim With three days until Singapore’s general election and political parties scrambling to seize on the star power of popular candidates as they bet big on multi-seat constituencies, the battle for the city state’s single-member constituencies (SMCs) could yet produce some of the poll’s most surprising results. Electoral boundaries in the country comprise SMCs and group representation constituencies (GRCs). The GRCs are made up of between three and six candidates per contesting party, including a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308498/singapore-election-why-single-ward-battles-are-ones-watch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308498/singapore-election-why-single-ward-battles-are-ones-watch?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Apr 2025 07:26:25 +0000 Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Singapore’s nine-day election campaign reached its halfway mark on Monday, with visceral issues such as cost of living, racial politics and foreign interference dominating the agenda as Prime Minister Lawrence Wong warned that his ability to form a strong government to navigate turbulent times was at stake. Wong is seeking a strong mandate in his first election as prime minister after taking office last May. His People’s Action Party (PAP) is looking to block any breakthrough the opposition can... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308250/singapore-election-race-foreign-meddling-hot-topics-hot-seats-too-close-call?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308250/singapore-election-race-foreign-meddling-hot-topics-hot-seats-too-close-call?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Apr 2025 13:03:04 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Singapore’s ruling party recruited a younger, more female slate of candidates ahead of the May 3 election in a bid to connect with a changing electorate, but across the political spectrum, efforts to showcase diversity only go so far. Of the 32 new candidates running next week for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), 13 are women – the highest proportion of new female candidates since independence in 1965. Including existing lawmakers, the PAP is fielding 32 women, also a record. In addition,... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3308219/singapore-election-pap-fields-record-female-candidates-diversity-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3308219/singapore-election-pap-fields-record-female-candidates-diversity-push?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Apr 2025 09:49:37 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Singapore’s political leaders are warning against foreign attempts to influence voters in an election campaign, under measures introduced four years ago to guard against external meddling. Lawrence Wong, leader of the city state’s ruling People’s Action Party, said at a rally on Saturday that foreign actors, including a political party in Malaysia, had tried to influence the outcome of Singapore’s elections. He warned that the mixing of religion and politics, as well as calls to support... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3308165/lawrence-wong-flags-malaysian-election-influence-attempts-ahead-singapore-polls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3308165/lawrence-wong-flags-malaysian-election-influence-attempts-ahead-singapore-polls?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 28 Apr 2025 05:49:07 +0000 As Singapore’s election season heats up ahead of the May 3 polls, some parties and politicians have vowed to walk with voters while others have been accused of abandoning them. But this rhetoric of accusing politicians of abandoning voters when they switch constituencies to better their chances of getting into parliament will easily backfire, political analysts say. “It would be asking too much of politicians and parties to continue contesting in the same constituency, especially when they have... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308023/singapore-election-do-politicians-abandon-residents-when-they-contest-elsewhere?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3308023/singapore-election-do-politicians-abandon-residents-when-they-contest-elsewhere?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Apr 2025 10:00:19 +0000 Singapore has ordered Facebook parent Meta to block Singaporeans’ access to posts made by foreigners, ahead of an election under rules restricting their social media posts. The Infocomm Media Development Authority issued the orders after some posts by foreigners were deemed as “intended to promote or prejudice the electoral success or standing of a political party or candidate”, the Elections Department and Ministry of Home Affairs said in a statement on Friday. The city state’s election on May... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3308030/singapore-orders-curb-3-foreigners-facebook-posts-election-interference?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3308030/singapore-orders-curb-3-foreigners-facebook-posts-election-interference?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Apr 2025 07:45:07 +0000 Kimberly Lim Kimberly Lim In 1980, a rain-soaked Lee Kuan Yew stood defiant at Singapore’s Fullerton Square in the central business district, rallying a crowd through downpour and thunder – a moment etched into Singapore’s public consciousness as a symbol of grit and persuasion. But the first lunchtime rally that Singapore’s first prime minister spoke at was in 1959, shortly after the republic became a fully self-governing state. It was held in the heart of the business district and aimed at reaching English-educated... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3307987/singapore-election-rallies-are-back-will-they-sway-voters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3307987/singapore-election-rallies-are-back-will-they-sway-voters?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Apr 2025 02:30:08 +0000 In Singapore, at every general election, the most asked question is: how many seats will fall into the opposition’s hands? This election is no different. If anything, it has become even more keenly anticipated because the opposition, especially the Workers’ Party (WP), appears to have been able to field credible candidates – including lawyers, doctors and other professionals – in greater numbers than in previous elections. An air of expectation surrounds their chances. The ruling People’s Action... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3307777/singapores-election-can-pap-stem-rising-opposition-tide?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3307777/singapores-election-can-pap-stem-rising-opposition-tide?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 24 Apr 2025 09:16:08 +0000 This rolling story has been made freely available as a public service to our readers. Please consider supporting SCMP’s journalism by subscribing. New users who download our updated app get a seven-day free trial. Last-minute ministerial switches by the ruling PAP include Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong moving east to Punggol where he will face WP star candidate Harpreet Singh. The PAP will hold onto Marine Parade-Braddell Heights after the first walkover the city state has seen since... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3307529/singapore-election-11th-hour-ministerial-switches-expected-candidates-head-nomination-centre?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3307529/singapore-election-11th-hour-ministerial-switches-expected-candidates-head-nomination-centre?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:17:27 +0000 As Singapore closed in on the 2006 general election, its first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew told young voters in a televised dialogue that the opposition was not up to mark and that the best candidates were in his People’s Action Party (PAP). Referring to then-Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang, Lee said: “The problem is he cannot find capable people to match the PAP. That’s the nub of it all.” Weeks later at the 50th anniversary dinner of the Foreign Correspondents Association, Lee, who... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3307461/singapore-election-are-opposition-candidates-closing-talent-gap-ruling-pap?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3307461/singapore-election-are-opposition-candidates-closing-talent-gap-ruling-pap?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 22 Apr 2025 09:48:51 +0000 As countries grapple with US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and a mounting trade war, Singapore will head to the polls where such global affairs are not expected to be top of mind for voters casting their ballots on May 3. Domestic concerns such as the rising cost of living, jobs and housing are more likely to move the needle in an election where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will seek a strong mandate, as he steers the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) into the polls for the first time since... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306817/singapore-election-why-flight-safety-over-trump-tariffs-may-not-weigh-voters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306817/singapore-election-why-flight-safety-over-trump-tariffs-may-not-weigh-voters?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 17 Apr 2025 00:00:10 +0000 Singapore has dissolved its parliament and is set to go to the polls on May 3 for the city state’s 14th general election since independence. Nomination Day, when candidates enter the race, will be on April 23, marking the first day of official campaigning. After this, voters can expect a nine-day campaigning period followed by a “cooling-off day” the day before voting, the elections department has said. The election will be Lawrence Wong’s first as prime minister as he and his band of... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306574/singapore-election-nomination-day-set-april-23?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306574/singapore-election-nomination-day-set-april-23?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Apr 2025 07:16:38 +0000 A new survey has found that both Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh enjoy high approval ratings, beyond 70 per cent ahead of the coming general election. Data from the SensingSG survey of 1,504 respondents conducted by market research company Blackbox Research between March 28 and Tuesday showed that Wong enjoyed a 75 per cent approval rating, while Singh had a mark of 71 per cent. The data, released on Friday, comes as Singapore prepares for an... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306142/singapore-pm-opposition-leader-both-enjoy-70-approval-new-voter-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306142/singapore-pm-opposition-leader-both-enjoy-70-approval-new-voter-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Apr 2025 07:51:54 +0000 The criticism of a former nominated member of parliament by Singapore’s top officials over a controversial Gaza post was prompted by the need to cool tensions and address a “political hot potato”, especially in an election season, according to observers. The city state’s top office holders, including Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, earlier this week took ex-NMP Calvin Cheng to task nearly a month after he said on social media he would sponsor flying members of an activist group to Gaza “only if... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306044/singapores-top-officials-pm-criticise-ex-nmp-calvin-cheng-over-gaza-post?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3306044/singapores-top-officials-pm-criticise-ex-nmp-calvin-cheng-over-gaza-post?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Apr 2025 13:40:42 +0000 Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Jean Iau,Kimberly Lim Across much of Southeast Asia, political parties rely on charisma or dynastic clout to field candidates. In Singapore, however, it is the resignation of senior civil servants and military brass that often sets the stage for entry into politics – especially amid the beating of electoral drums. The discussion around such high-ranking figures vacating their posts in an election year usually involves when and where they will be fielded by the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). With the polls... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3305897/diversity-or-detachment-singapores-civil-service-political-talent-pool?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3305897/diversity-or-detachment-singapores-civil-service-political-talent-pool?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Apr 2025 01:30:17 +0000 A new survey has found that four in 10 Singaporean voters would vote for the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) if the election were held tomorrow, while most have not decided who to vote for. The poll of 1,845 citizens aged 21 and above, conducted between March 25 and April 1 by market research company YouGov, found that 44 per cent of respondents have decided which party they will vote for. Nineteen per cent said they were undecided, 13 per cent were “leaning towards a particular party but... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3305804/4-10-singaporean-voters-have-decided-pap-if-election-held-tomorrow-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3305804/4-10-singaporean-voters-have-decided-pap-if-election-held-tomorrow-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Apr 2025 06:06:58 +0000 In Singapore, whenever an election looms, talk is never about whether the ruling party will lose power. Rather, attention centres on how much or little support the opposition can prise from the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) firm grasp to advance its chances. With the new electoral boundaries published this week ahead of what pundits have predicted will be a May election, all sides are deciding whom to field where. But for the opposition parties, it is a more fraught task as constituencies they... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3302463/how-singapores-opposition-hopes-loosen-paps-66-year-grip-power?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3302463/how-singapores-opposition-hopes-loosen-paps-66-year-grip-power?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Mar 2025 00:00:16 +0000 Singapore on Wednesday took its first step towards calling for a general election, with the government announcing that a committee tasked with setting electoral boundaries has been formed. Analysts told This Week In Asia that the move to create the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) paved the way for a midyear election, which would be centred on bread-and-butter issues. The EBRC’s formation is typically the first indication of the election season in Singapore. Over the past four... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3295800/singapore-takes-first-step-towards-general-election-analysts-predict-midyear-polls?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3295800/singapore-takes-first-step-towards-general-election-analysts-predict-midyear-polls?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 22 Jan 2025 08:23:24 +0000 A key update from Singapore’s elections department and stepped-up activities by political parties have prompted analysts to suggest a general election may be called as early as September, just four months after the city state’s third leadership transition. Political parties have been ramping up activities on the ground and behind closed doors, even as the department told This Week in Asia on Friday that the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, which must be called before a general election,... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3265244/when-will-singapores-next-general-election-be-held-political-buzz-sparks-polls-gear?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3265244/when-will-singapores-next-general-election-be-held-political-buzz-sparks-polls-gear?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Jun 2024 00:00:15 +0000 Singapore’s new Prime Minister Lawrence Wong struck the right note on key issues when he was sworn in this week, according to media reports, but he made many do a double take when he claimed his formidable ruling party might be ousted at the next election. In an interview with the local press before he took his oath of office as Singapore’s fourth prime minister, Wong said it was “not unimaginable for two or maybe three opposition parties to come together, form a coalition and run the... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3263131/can-singapores-opposition-really-win-next-general-election-and-form-coalition-government?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3263131/can-singapores-opposition-really-win-next-general-election-and-form-coalition-government?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 May 2024 00:14:46 +0000