Though the ruling PAP has again been given a huge majority, it must take stock and reflect on its poorest showing at the polls in modern history
By Wayne Sim
Staff Writer
Though the ruling People’s Action Party has been returned to power with 81 of the 87 seats in Parliament and 60% of the popular vote, the writing is on the wall.
General elections in Singapore have never really been about changing the government; rather, they are seen as a report card for the PAP – which has enjoyed almost complete dominance of Parliament since it first came into power in 1959. The fact that Singaporeans chose to elect six MPs from the opposition this year when the country has only had five opposition MPs in its entire post-independence history is telling.
Though the results appear to be impressive, they are the worst that the PAP has achieved in modern history. The previous low was in 1991, when the PAP won 61% of the popular vote, with four opposition MPs elected into Parliament.
Apart from the loss of Aljunied GRC, the first-ever GRC in history to fall to the opposition, the PAP also staggered across the finishing line in Potong Pasir (50.36%), Joo Chiat (51.01%), Punggol East (54.53%) and East Coast GRC (54.83%), in addition to slender victories in traditional strongholds Marine Parade GRC (56.65%) and Tampines GRC (57.22%). The swing against the PAP in some wards was as high as 16%.
PAP leaders themselves have admitted that they need to work harder to shed the party’s arrogant and out-of-touch image, with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong admitting that it has not managed to connect emotionally with Singaporeans. Mr George Yeo, who remains a PAP Central Executive Committee member despite losing his seat at the election, has called for a drastic shake-up within the party.
Even the usually obstinate Mr Mah Bow Tan, who is thought to be amongst the least popular ministers, admitted that he had to re-look his housing policies and work harder to live up to the expectations of Singaporeans.
Four days before Polling Day, Mr Lee apologised to Singaporeans for the mistakes made by his government and asked the nation to give him an opportunity to do better. He was effectively asking for Singaporeans to give another chance to the long-propagated system of one-party rule, with immense powers being conferred on the executive branch of government in the interests of allowing it to implement its decisions with maximum efficiency.
With 81 out of 87 seats in Parliament, Mr Lee has gotten his wish. But he and his party have to realise that this is his final chance – if the next five years are remembered for yet more mediocre and unaccountable government, he can expect Singaporeans to reject his party’s doctrine of maximum government. If that happens, more GRCs will fall to the opposition, and an era of multi-party partisanship could be ushered in.
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The author is a Staff Writer at The Satay Club. He is a final-year law undergraduate at a reputable university in Australia, and returns to Singapore at least twice a year.
Fm TKL’s Blog by reader. Can he be the next SG “Anwar” though better morales and gd man to lead and unite the opposition.History has funny way of springing up very unlikely heros…we wait
Open Letter to All Opposition Parties in SG,
Post GE2011: For SG & Singaporeans Need For An Alternative Voices
Dear All Opposition Parties Of SG,
All: Moving On you need to have a joint meeting on next step forward outside your own party planning and post election evaluation.
1.Take note you tried to have a few towards the start of election but was not enough time.
2.The political landscape will change further esp winning WP team will draw more able candidates than now bec of success and results.
Not to take it negatively all opposition parties, this is natural and right step for political development.
3.But on your side continue to improve and change to build up your own parties and approaches to win gd candidates esp SDA, NSP.
4.But you all as Opposition Parties need to meet and engage in joint dialogue inorder to move forward as opposition parties in SG as end of day despite different party ways and manifestoes, you share a common goal to represent Singaporeans and challenge PAP’s arrogant and out of touch policies for the people of Singapore.
5.The reality of Post 2011 election towards YR2016 will see a bigger slate of opposition candidates to contest on WP cards in next elections which means 3 corner fights will be inevitable.But cn be done in a civil, proper equal playing field whic does not dilute opposition votes.
6.But unlike the SDA fiasco in Punggol East by Desmond which did not help any opposition party or SG people, this can be done in a better way.
7.Meaning a joint meeting and discussion needs to start moving forward by all opposition parties to some discuss on possible wards they will focus on in YR2016 minus the PAP’s continued plans for more gerry manderring or changes which cannot be avoided.
8.Least give each party an opportunity to focus on key wards or repeat wards and opportunity to build a base there and continue efforts than last minute changes and switches to new locations.
The latter normally erodes voter support as last minute parachutting vs incumbent PAP as they are there already.
9.So please start talking among yourselves, least a decent start based on whoever comes forward among you, reform party, NSP,SDA and WP.
10.Least a better strategy and gives you room to build your resources, work on target wards effectively and do not disappear as that will play into ruling party’s hands and make no mistake they are all changing and will prepare for the YR2016 fight starting from now.
11.For your survival, relevance in representing SG and most impt success for next GE2016.
Last Note; Mr Tan Kim Lian, you as a respected man by many in SG and a friend of the opposition and Singaporeans can step in to initiate a first meeting after this election so this can happen as is impt for our political landscape and survival as we want change.
Think opposition parties can talk and be civil as this is not like asking PAP to join in as they don’t even listen to you and anyone.
Sure, PP residents will rejoice in the beginning when they get their overdue upgrading, but after that, what? This government is a indicator-driven machine that derives great pleasure in cost-benefit analysis. Do not think your new coat of paint, or that covered walkway will come cheap. When PP loses its identity within Toa Payoh GRC or whatever GRC, you will have a long time to “repent”.
The people of Potong Pasir will regret. The upgrading of lifts were all free. All bore by Mr Chiam budget. The food are still very cheap. All because they have Mr. Chiam See Tong.
Now the PAP taken over, we will see the fees will go up in all areas.
Now my multi storey carpark fire alarm was “peeping” for more than a month and until today no action taken by PAP town council. The fire hose was leaking for months, no action was taken. Those MPs that came around lately don’t even bother…all are deaf
You must be joking. Potong Pasir residents will be rejoicing, not regretting. At last they no longer have to bear the burden for the rest of Singapore just because people want to see “alternative voices” in Parliament. Enormous resources will be ploughed in to turn Potong Pasir into a world-class estate after 27 years of neglect and decay.
And, also, they will understand first hand how they can “buy one get one free”. Now they get Sitoh to serve their interests whereas Lina Chiam will still provide them with an “alternative voice” as an NCMP. So they get their bread buttered both ways. Why would they regret?
PAP was not the PAP i know. A 3 room flats was only $8k, a 4 room flat was just above 10k and a 5 rooms flats was below 20k. The govt and those pioneers ministers really serve the people well until MBT came. The downfall of PAP will be likely the cause of MBT.
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Joo Chiat and PP really damn suay. Blame those idiots who spoiled their votes.
Can’t wait to see Pritam Singh PWN Wong Can’t Sing in Parliamnet.
The PAP needs to wake up now. Especially WKS and MBT who both fared badly. If they don’t buck up, they could easily lose their GRC next time. People won’t forget so easily. No more wayang and cover ups please.