Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) today retained power with an absolute majority winning 81 of the 87 seats in a "watershed" general elections.
Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) today retained power with an absolute majority winning 81 of the 87 seats in a "watershed" general elections, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong acknowledged that opposition gains had marked a "distinct shift" in the city-state's political landscape.
Though the PAP, in power for over 40 years, won 81 of the 87 Parliament seats as it captured 60 per cent of the 2 million votes cast in yesterday's election, the Workers Party won six seats, the most ever captured by the opposition.
"It marks a distinct shift in our political landscape," Lee told an early morning news conference.
"Many (Singaporeans) wish for the government to adopt a different style and approach," he said. "Many desire to see more opposition voices in parliament to check the PAP government."
"We hear all your voices, whether it's expressed in person or over the Internet. The PAP will analyse the results of the elections, learn from what has emerged in this general election, put right what is wrong, improve on what can be made better, and also improve ourselves to serve Singaporeans better," local media quoted Lee as saying.
He said his party would undergo some "soul-searching" and expressed willingness to work with lawmakers from the opposition.
Lee said he was disappointed over PAP's defeat in Aljunied GRC, which cost the government two ministers and failed to win back the Hougang from WP.
Although the PAP won the great majority of seats, the party's share of the popular vote slipped to around 60% from around 67% at the last election in 2006, the results showed.
Rival Workers' Party (WP) took the other six seats, winning for the first time a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) of five members, and retaining a single member parliamentary seat of Hougang under the leadership of veteran opposition politician Low Thia Khiang.
The PAP had faced issues related to influx of foreign workers, higher cost of housing caused by high net worth expatriates, housing affordability, rising cost of living for the locals, the slower progress on transportation, and the high salaries for the ministers in the prosperous city state.
Though the PAP had a strong mandate, Lee noted frustrations, grievances and unfulfilled aspirations of Singaporeans during the nine-day campaigning by political parties for 82 of the 87 seats.
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