Singapore
General
Election

1996/1997 GE

• Introduction
• Scorecard
• Selected constituencies
• A recent article
• An earlier view

1992 BE

• Scorecard

1991 GE

• Scorecard

1988 GE

• Scorecard

Few would also disagree with me that the People's Action Party ("PAP") will win the majority of parliamentary seats in the upcoming GE and thereby form the next government in our country. The PAP has been dominating our legislature since the independence of Singapore over three decades ago. Even today, excluding the Nominated MPs, all but four Members of Parliament, out of eighty, are from the PAP.

Yet, despite this overwhelming odds against the PAP losing the General Election, many Singaporeans still take a keen interest on the process, and results, of the Election. At every Election, the turnout of eligible voters, if I recall correctly, have always be over 90%. This is in contrast to the Election held in other countries, where the results are much less certain but the turnout is surprisingly lower too.

If Singaporeans are quite convinced that their votes are not likely to affect the final results significantly, why do they take the trouble of voting ? If citizens of Singapore were as apathetic as most people make us out to be, surely we would not take the trouble to cast our votes ?

Anyway, with a healthy economy, announcement of an election Budget, and plans to build the N-E MRT line, the PAP is expected to do well at this upcoming GE, just like the last round. In fact, I would even venture to say that the favourable (to the PAP) conditions which spurred the Opposition parties to agree to contest in less than half the constituencies in the last GE seems to appear just as sweet now. Thus, the only thing that the PAP should guard against, after such meticulous preparations, is complacency.

Still, there will be a few things in this GE to watch out for. Take for example, Matthias Yao and Chee Soon Juan had a series of exchange over whether to contest against each other in MacPherson where the former is currently its MP. It would certainly be interesting if Chee were to contest against Yao in the latter's homeground. Even if Chee does not, PAP is sure to capitalise on this 'retreat' against Chee, wherever he may choose to stand.

The perennial hotspot of Eunos GRC is likely to surface again. However, it is my opinion, that the heat and racial undertones have subsided much since. The interesting twist in this GRC would be the fact that the incumbent Minister in the GRC - Dr Tay Eng Soon - passed away leaving a vacancy. Would the PAP 'second' another Minister from another GRC to bolster its team in Eunos or would they field a new potential Minister ?

There has also been much talk about succession in the Cabinet. Even Dr Tony Tan had to re-join the Cabinet after having left it to join the private sector. Many are expecting to see a number of new faces who are expected relieve some of our overtaxed Ministers.

It is still early in the game and the battlelines are not drawn yet. Much will change as we approach the announcement of GE, as well as subsequently. I suppose that reflects the ever-changing nature of politics in Singapore. We will just have to wait and see.

Koh Su Haw
6th March 1996