Singapore's ever-ruling party faces tough election battle

By Kai Portmann May 2, 2011, 4:18 GMT

Singapore - Singapore's ever-ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is set to face one of the biggest challenges in its history in general elections on Saturday.

There is no doubt that the PAP, which fist came to power in 1959, will once again win handsomely.

But by Singapore standards, the election is expected to be a thrilling affair as the opposition seems determined to exploit voter discontent over rising costs of living or limits on dissent in the tightly controlled city-state.

Candidates from six opposition parties, including the Workers' Party and the Singapore Democratic Party, are set to contest 82 of 87 parliamentary seats, the highest number in decades, according to the Elections Department.

While in some earlier elections, the PAP won even before the polls opened because the opposition did not contest most of the seats, this time it is only a slate of five candidates headed by state founder Lew Kuan Yew who will return unopposed in their district.

For Lee's son Lee Hsien Loong it is the second time as a prime minister that he leads the PAP into a general election.

In 2006, the PAP won 66.6 per cent of the votes and 82 of 84 seats.

This time, the prospects for the ruling party were hard to predict, said the younger Lee, adding that '66 per cent is a very high number.'

Compared to 2006 'there are more issues which are not completely settled this time,' noted Lee.

Lee announced the ballot at an opportune time, taking full advantage of Singapore's record economic growth of 14.5 per cent last year.

His government in February unveiled a budget including benefits for its citizens with a big part given out days before the election.

Still, government leaders noted that rising inflation, a buoyant property market and the steady influx of foreign workers are growing concerns in the island state with a population of 5 million.

Campaigning for the PAP, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan found the the reception a bit chillier than last time around.

'I don't think people are angry. But in 2006, it was a lot of sweeter,' he said.

Since 1959, the PAP has transformed Singapore into an economic powerhouse, bringing wealth to most of its people while governing with strict laws and stiff penalties, including the death sentence.

Government leaders repeatedly sued opposition figures for defamation, wrecking their political careers, while critics claimed the election system favoured the ruling party.

Most Singaporeans seemed to happily accept the trade-off between economic prosperity and limited freedom.

But voices of dissent, denouncing, for example, growing social disparity, have become louder in recent years.

Critical websites are increasingly popular as people seek views different from those in the pro-government mainstream media.

Best-selling author Catherine Lim, in a recent interview with the BBC, recalled that as early as 15 years ago she found that 'despite our prosperity, despite the glam and gloss, there was a strong undercurrent of dissatisfaction simply because of the lack of civil liberties.'

In the countdown to the election, Prime Minister Lee was eager to make clear that Singapore, given its small size and vulnerability, could only be successful with one dominant party because it guaranteed an 'exceptionally able leadership.'

'With a mediocre government, other countries may muddle through and have to muddle through, but Singapore will fail,' warned Lee.

Not all, however, were convinced. Even readers of the government-friendly Straits Times newspaper disagreed with their prime minister, arguing that a single party could not represent all views.

Over the weekend, Lee's father hauled out the big guns.

Asked for his opinion on an expected hot election battle between the PAP and the Workers' Party in the Aljunied constituency, where five seats are at stake, the minister mentor warned that voters would have 'five years to live and repent' should Aljunied go to the opposition.

'You must expect the PAP to look after PAP constituencies first,' said the older Lee, referring, for example, to upgrade projects for public apartment blocks.

'I am 87. I am speaking the truth,' he said.

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