Singapore’s ruling PAP turns 70: can its dominance last?

Amid rising living costs and shifting voter sentiments, the People’s Action Party faces unprecedented challenges on its 70th anniversary

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Supporters of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) wave party flags and placards ahead of the general election in 2015. Photo: Reuters

Published: 8:00am, 16 Nov 2024Updated: 2:48pm, 16 Nov 2024

For retired educator K.H. Seah, voting had always been a straightforward choice in favour of Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

Lately, however, the 67-year-old finds himself mulling over his vote.

“I’m feeling the rising costs of everything. I’m in the middle class but I don’t feel its benefits,” said Seah, adding that the goods and services tax increase to 9 per cent earlier this year, along with rising certificate of entitlement prices for car ownership, had hit people like him hard.

With a hint of nostalgia, Seah said he missed the decisiveness of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, contrasting it with the current leadership’s more consultative approach.

Whether Seah’s sentiments reflect a dissatisfied minority among PAP supporters or indicate a growing trend will be revealed in the next general election, which must be called by November next year.

Not a single political force has emerged in Singapore to challenge the PAP

Bilveer Singh, political scientist

It will mark the 16th time that the party has sought a mandate from the island republic’s citizens since its uninterrupted rule of Singapore began in 1959. On Thursday, the PAP will celebrate its 70th anniversary, a milestone that may coincide with the handover of party leadership from current secretary general Lee Hsien Loong to Lawrence Wong, who took over as prime minister in May.