By Cindy Toh
On Friday, September 1st, over 2.48 million Singaporeans headed to the polls to vote for the next President of Singapore. The results were what we all expected: a landslide victory for former Deputy Prime Minister and PAP-adjacent establishment candidate Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Yet, with increasing calls for a vibrant opposition, many had hoped for opposition candidates Tan Kin Lian and Ng Kok Song to have secured more than a measly 30% of the vote.
It is true that the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and PAP-adjacent establishment candidates have received resounding mandates from the Singaporean public. It is also true that the election was not a referendum on the PAP but a stamp of approval on Tharman’s personal popularity and scandal-free record.
Regardless of these premises, the elephant in the room needs to be addressed: Singapore has a long way to go if it is ever to develop a vibrant opposition or a thriving democracy. The fact that two opposition candidates could only secure a combined 30% signals that they have not adequately galvanized young voters, let alone made the inroads necessary to secure a larger vote share. While young voters have increasingly indicated a desire for more opposition voices and distrust in the current establishment and institutions, a sizable number did not turn out. This can be attributed to how two-thirds of young voters have indicated political apathy and/or a lack of understanding of what the president’s role actually entails. This implies that the opposition needs to ramp up civic education and engagement if it is ever to secure the votes of a low-turnout population.
The election results are also a clear signal that the opposition must look beyond their current campaign strategy of painting an “establishment versus outsider” dichotomy without offering an alternative vision. Voters are well aware of what the establishment stands for, especially with Tharman, who has articulated his views throughout his time in public service. But voters are also thirsty to vote for an agenda, not simply against the establishment. Remember Jamus Lim in 2020? He and his fellow candidates in the Workers Party provided clear stances on pressing issues such as Goods and Services Tax (GST) hikes. By articulating concrete stances on real issues, he and his fellow candidates made inroads in Sengkang GRC, providing the opposition a much-needed voice. While a Singaporean President’s role does not entail approving an agenda or legislating policy, it still comes with influence that can move the needle on issues. Voters nonetheless still desire to understand the values and stances of a future administration. Can anyone seriously name a single policy stance proffered by Ng Kok Song or Tan Kin Lian? And no, asking 50% of the female population to become homemakers and give birth to more children, as Tan Kin Lian suggests, does not count.
The election may be over, but one thing is certain: the opposition has a long road ahead. Mobilizing civic engagement efforts, galvanizing young voters, and developing a clear vision for Singapore will take time and effort. Yet, it is critical and worth it for the future of Singapore.