Opinion

Singapore's government is in denial

Elections are Singaporeans' twice-a-decade opportunity to send messages to the government and, on this occasion, the message was clear.

Michael BarrContributor

Jul 12, 2020 – 11.53am

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The People's Action Party (PAP) government of Singapore has suffered its worst ever election result, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has suggested merely that the result was "not as strong an endorsement as hoped".

Individual swings against the ruling party of up to 27 per cent and typically 6 per cent to 15 per cent were insufficient to defeat well-entrenched PAP candidates who enjoyed a multitude of unfair advantages. If the result is not recognised as a disaster, the government is in denial.

Michael Barr is Associate Professor in International Relations in the College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University.