Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has admitted that the PAP needs to change its approach and try harder to connect with citizens
The votes been counted, and the people have spoken. While the results show yet another landslide victory for the People’s Action Party, this general election has seen the worst performance by the PAP since independence, with 60.22 per cent of the total vote, and six seats falling to the opposition.
This election has also been historic because the opposition has managed to make a breakthrough in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the first time since the system was introduced. The Workers’ Party claimed a monumental victory in Aljunied GRC, against a heavyweight PAP team comprising two cabinet ministers.
The WP also fared well in East Coast GRC, Nee Soon GRC and Moulmein-Kallang GRC, especially considering that its candidates in those wards did not receive much publicity during the short campaign period.
Five other GRCs – Holland-Bukit Timah, Marine Parade, Bishan-Toa Payoh, Tampines and Chua Chu Kang – also saw the PAP’s margins substantially reduced.
While the PAP fared well in the single member constituencies, Hougang was retained by the WP with an increased majority, despite party leader and incumbent MP, Mr Low Thia Khiang, handing over the reins to a relative newcomer, Mr Yaw Shin Leong.
The PAP also won two SMCs with razor-thin majorities – Potong Pasir by just over 100 votes, and Joo Chiat by just over 300 votes.
The PAP’s overall share of the vote was bolstered by good performances against the weaker opposition parties such as the Reform Party and the Singapore Democratic Alliance. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong scored an overwhelming win in his ward of Ang Mo Kio, claiming 69% of the votes, up from the 66.1% he received in 2006.
However, he was outdone by Dr Amy Khor in Hong Kah North, who holds the distinction of being the most popular PAP candidate in this election. She defeated the Singapore People’s Party’s Mr Sin Kek Tong, scoring over 70% of the votes.
PM Lee has acknowledged that his party needs to change its style of leadership if it wants to stay relevant. He admitted that the PAP has come across as arrogant and out-of-touch, and apologised for the mistakes made by his government during its last five-year term.
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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.
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Quite disappointed that SDP team fared so badly in Holland-Bukit Timah.
I thought they would get at least 45% given the calibre of their team there.
The fall of ALJUNIED will be the start of something great.
Next target is EAST COAST.
I wish WP team for Aljunied and Hougang to continue its good works and fullfill the residents needs. The coming 5 years will be as crucial as in the last 9 days of GE contest.
The future of democracy for SG will depend on this 5 good men and 1 women. Will the force be with you always!
Yes. The problem is not just the style of government. It is the accountability and transparency of the government and its ideology of one-party political system which will never work anymore in the 21st internet century. If PAP is still relevant and wants Singapore to survive, it must be prepared to put the country before the party to build a real first world parliament as WP envisioned. If LHL can do it, even if he may lose in the next GE as PM, his contribution to this will remain in history. It is time for LHL to wake up and leave his father aside. He will have another 5 years to prove it.
Now at least pap gets a bloody nose. Hope they wake up. Anyway a toe hold is in the door and the poor in spirit can hope in the opposition. 5 years is short time.
Did try in my own small way to help the opposition by engaging my fellow citizens. Talked to about 40 people over 9 days. Especially worried about BisToaPayoh GRC. Of the 10 people there, I spoke to, 4 were for PAP, 2 undecided and 6 said vote is secret. So I knew Chiam’s gonna lose. Even tried to help these SPP guys even on polling day itself. Also tried to lend a hand for Lena Chiam but she lost too.
I’m not trying to tell you guys that I am more noble than you …. just wanted to do my part since the opposition had the courage to stand up and be counted.
Here’s a challenge: Will you citizens do something to help the opposition even past May 7 ?
Notice that the paps candidates victory speeches are all the same: something like “will work even harder for you …blah…blah”. Guess they all have the same speech writer… c’mon please have a mind of your own.
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The problem is we have ministers who are heartless, zero compassion, conceited, blind and deaf to the people’s plight….etc etc. full of wayang, good with flowery words but short of action.
Is it any wonder why MM called Singaporeans DAFT. Frankly he speaks the truth and the election results is evidence of this HARD TRUTH.
The fact is Singaporeans are not daft but lack the spirit of adventurous, like to maintain the status quo and do not have time for politics. I over-heard an old folk telling his grown-up son while I was in a coffeeshop the day before polling that “Just cross the PAP, no need to think so much” … this is very sad indeed.
Daft