For Singapore to do well, PAP govt has to continue to hold its own: SM Lee

SINGAPORE – With the opposition here to stay in Singapore politics, the ruling party will have to retain its position and win the support of voters in order for the Republic to “keep on doing well”, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Otherwise, it will become harder to govern Singapore well and get support for policies required to make the country work and progress, he said.

Speaking at a National Day dinner in Serangoon on July 26, SM Lee said the People’s Action Party (PAP) government continues to deliver good results and enjoys the confidence of Singaporeans.

“But at the same time, after all these years of peace and prosperity and progress, the desire for more alternative voices in Parliament has become stronger,” he said.

“The number of opposition MPs in Parliament has also grown, and the sentiment – I think it is quite natural, it is quite understandable.”

Following the 2025 General Election,

Singapore’s 15th Parliament,

which will sit for the first time on Sept 5, will have 12 opposition MPs including two Non-Constituency MPs. The opposition had also secured 12 seats in the 2020 General Election.

Said SM Lee: “So my attitude is: The opposition is here to stay in Singapore politics. But in order for Singapore to keep on doing well, the Government has to continue to hold its own, and to win votes and to win seats in elections.

“Because otherwise, beyond a point, it will become harder for us to form a team, harder for us to govern Singapore well, harder for us to get support for policies, which we need in order to make the country work and progress.”

He warned that when that happens, the quality of the Government will “go down” and the country’s future will be affected.

“You can elect more opposition MPs to check the Government... but once you are set on that path, you are heading in the wrong direction,” he said.

Instead, he called for striking the right balance between having stronger alternative voices in government and supporting and electing an effective one.

“One which will deliver high standards and good results, which Singaporeans have got used to and have come to expect from the Government; one which will take the tough but necessary decisions to secure our long-term future, particularly in today’s troubled world,” he added.

SM Lee said he was glad that Singaporeans understood this and gave the PAP government a clear mandate during the election in May.

The PAP secured 65.57 per cent of the popular vote, up from 61.24 per cent in the 2020 General Election.

SM Lee was addressing a crowd that included the PAP candidates that ran in Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC at GE2025 in May – Ms Chan Hui Yuh, Mr Daniel Liu, Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz, Dr Adrian Ang and Mr Jagathishwaran Rajo in Aljunied GRC; and Mr Marshall Lim in Hougang SMC.

Despite the overall swing towards the PAP, both teams lost to the Workers’ Party, which

retained its hold

over these constituencies.

The PAP candidates have stayed on as non-elected PAP representatives in their respective divisions.

“Now the elections are over, it does not matter who you voted for in the election,” said SM Lee, assuring Singaporeans that the PAP government “will continue to take care of all citizens, no matter which constituency you live in, or which party you voted for”.

He added that grassroots advisers and leaders in Aljunied and Serangoon “do not have an easy job” as they are not elected MPs who oversee the town councils in these divisions.

“But they will always do their best,” he said, pointing out that they will continue to serve residents through explaining government policies and measures, implementing support schemes and organising programmes for seniors, youth and families.