SINGAPORE: Opposition parties are here to stay in Singapore’s political landscape, but the People’s Action Party (PAP) must continue to win votes and secure enough seats to govern effectively, said Senior Minister (SM) Lee Hsien Loong.
SM Lee suggested that while having some opposition is natural, too many opposition MPs could weaken the government’s ability to govern well and hurt Singapore’s future.
However, netizens pushed back, arguing that a stronger opposition actually keeps the ruling party accountable, forces it to answer tough questions, and ensures governance is built on scrutiny and public trust rather than unchecked dominance.
Speaking at the Serangoon National Day Dinner on 26 July, SM Lee acknowledged the growing number of opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) and rising public sentiment for alternative voices, describing this trend as “natural” and “understandable”.
However, he warned that beyond a certain point, the PAP would face difficulty forming a capable team and governing effectively.
It would also become harder to secure support for policies necessary for Singapore’s progress.
“When that happens, the quality of the government will go down… We will become more unhappy with the government.
“You can elect more opposition MPs to check the government, to prod it to work better, but once you are set on that path, you are heading in the wrong direction,” he said.
SM Lee urged Singaporeans to strike the right balance between having stronger alternative voices and supporting an effective government.
He emphasised that Singaporeans expect high standards, good results, and a government capable of making “tough but necessary decisions” for the country’s long-term future.
Reflecting on the recent general election, SM Lee said the results showed that Singaporeans understood the need for unity and resilience.
However, he warned that uncertainties have grown since then.
“Now, three months later, all those question marks remain, and they have not grown smaller — they have grown bigger… So in this world, more than ever, we will need our collective wits, our resolve, and our unity to secure our future, our safety, and success,” he said.
He added, “I was very happy and relieved that during the general election, Singaporeans understood this, gave the PAP government a clear mandate, and once again put your trust in us, showing that Singaporeans understood what was at stake.”
SM Lee assured residents that the PAP government will continue to care for all citizens, regardless of their constituency or political choice.
He acknowledged that grassroots advisers in opposition wards face challenges but said they would always do their best.
“This is an exceptional country, Singapore. There is no other country like this — where the government and Singaporeans have enjoyed strong trust and partnership with each other for more than 60 years,” he noted.
Online Backlash: “Standards Are Already Falling”
SM Lee’s remarks sparked criticism on social media, with some netizens accusing the government of being disconnected from reality and overly defensive about political competition.
Several users argued that the government’s quality has already declined.
One wrote, “The standard of PAP has been going down since the end of LKY era.”
Another commented, “It’s already deteriorating. Haven’t you noticed???”
They added that the regular dishing out of CDC vouchers was a sign that things were not working, pointing to repeated old and outdated policies and ways of thinking.
One comment criticised the government for being out of touch, citing “social problems, overloaded public infrastructure, super crowded everywhere, fatalities on our roads, frequent train breakdowns, the suicide rates, vaping in the nation, and huge financial stress.”
“Opposition Is Not a Threat”
Other comments pushed back against the idea that having more opposition MPs would harm governance.
One wrote, “The PAP has to understand that a one-party state will not make the country improved and incorruptible.”
Another added that the PAP must “buckle up, walk the ground, and listen to the people”, emphasising that not all opposition is bad.
They noted that opposition MPs are also Singaporeans who want good policies and actively debate in Parliament to achieve them.
One user argued that SM Lee’s warning—that electing more opposition MPs would “lower the quality of governance” and “lead Singapore in the wrong direction”—was not only misguided but also deeply alarming.
They said his remarks sent a dangerous and backward signal: that the people should fear political diversity and believe the ruling party alone is fit to govern.
“This is not democracy, this is a monopoly of power,” they said, adding that “the presence of opposition MPs is not a threat to governance. It is the lifeblood of accountability.”
They further argued that claiming more opposition voices would jeopardise the country’s future was a fear tactic aimed at silencing dissent and maintaining political dominance.
In reality, they said, a stronger opposition pushes the government to serve the people better, answer tough questions, justify its policies, and stay rooted in integrity and public trust.
True governance, they added, works through scrutiny, debate, and accountability—not blind obedience.
“If we truly care about Singapore’s long-term survival, we must reject one-party dominance and embrace a balanced Parliament,” they said.
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