Singapore

Singapore’s long-governing People’s Action Party (PAP) has retained its strong grip on power in the city-state’s general election, extending its 66-year unbroken rule and staving off any gains by the opposition Workers Party (WP). The Election Department announced the PAP won 87 of 97 seats in parliament after vote counting ended on Saturday, with the WP maintaining its 10 seats.Although a comfortable win for the PAP was anticipated, the real test lay in how much support it could retain, especially under the leadership of newly appointed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. The party’s performance in 2020, when it won just more than 60 percent of the vote, was among its weakest showings since independence in 1965 after seceding from Malaysia. Wong, who took office last year, campaigned

Earlier in March, Singapore’s Chief of Army handed over command to his successor. It’s a routine move that takes place every few years – except the timing has fuelled murmurings that Major-General David Neo could resign from service, enter politics and contest the imminent General Election (GE2025). Back when the change was announced in late February, the defence ministry said MG Neo would remain in MINDEF “to complete transition and other administrative matters”. CNA has contacted him for comment. He would not be the first senior military officer to walk that path, with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in particular having long sourced political talent from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). At the last election in 2020, former brigadier-generals Gan Siow Huang and Desmo

The Ministry of Home Affairs (“MHA”) is aware of the following publications that contain false statements concerning the employment of foreign auxiliary police officers (“APOs”): APOs have all the powers of regular police officers.Foreign APOs are employed by the Government and are used to keep the incumbent political party (i.e. the People’s Action Party) in power, even to the extent of violating the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore and using force in breach of fundamental liberties.The Government deliberately sets the salaries of APOs at a level that would make the role of an APO less attractive to Singaporeans so as to achieve its real objective of hiring foreign APOs, which is its preference. Facts: Powers of APOs Under section 92(4) of the Police Force Act 2004, the

Vietnam and Singapore agreed to elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership as Vietnamese leader To Lam visited the rich city-state last week. Lam — general secretary of the Vietnamese Communist Party and the most powerful politician in Vietnam — held talks with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and other high-ranking officials about boosting economic and security cooperation between the two sides. During the visit, both sides signed several agreements and discussed cooperation in undersea cable development, digital connectivity, and cross-border data flows. Lam and Wong also discussed green development, industrial parks expansion, and peace and stability in the region, according to a joint statement.Singapore invested over $10 billion in Vietnam last yearB

In Singapore, whenever an election looms, talk is never about whether the ruling party will lose power. Rather, attention centres on how much or little support the opposition can prise from the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) firm grasp to advance its chances.With the new electoral boundaries published this week ahead of what pundits have predicted will be a May election, all sides are deciding whom to field where. But for the opposition parties, it is a more fraught task as constituencies they had long been eyeing and tilling for votes have been redrawn, and they lack the formidable party machinery of the PAP to redirect resources in double quick time.After 66 years in power, the PAP is one of the longest-ruling parties among modern parliamentary democracies. If it wins the coming 14th gen

The visit of Tô Lâm, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam, to Singapore serves as a vital political foundation for further strengthening the already excellent relationship between Việt Nam and Singapore, elevating it to a higher, more substantive and deeper level. This was affirmed by Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Trần Phước Anh in an interview with VOV ahead of General Secretary Tô Lâm and his wife’s official visit to Singapore from March 11-13. What is the purpose and significance of General Secretary Tô Lâm's official visit to Singapore? This visit holds immense significance for Việt Nam-Singapore relations, marking a new milestone in their 52-year-long diplomatic ties. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973, upgraded them to a Strategi

Singapore Airlines (SQ) and American Express announced significant upgrades to their joint Business Credit Card, offering improved travel rewards and redemption options for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The updated benefits will take effect from April 23, 2025, providing business owners with more value from their travel spending.HighFlyer points to KrisFlyer milesThe refreshed card increases the limit for converting HighFlyer points to KrisFlyer miles from 100,000 to 150,000 miles, with conversions available at a 1:1 ratio. Card members can now redeem KrisFlyer Elite Gold status for 100,000 HighFlyer points, down from the standard requirement of 125,000 points, offering faster access to premium travel benefits. Businesses new to the HighFlyer program receive 10,000 HighFly...

Singapore’s government will boost payments and rebates to households to defray living costs that remain top of mind for voters, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said in his first budget presentation since taking office last year. Acknowledging that rising prices have pinched consumer budgets, Wong said households will receive S$800 ($596) in vouchers to help cover costs at supermarkets and restaurants, with the first S$500 coming as soon as May, Wong said Tuesday. That marks an increase from a total of S$600 announced the previous year. “Singaporeans are still adjusting to these new price realities,” Wong, who is also the finance minister, said in his speech. “Some have had to tighten their belts, rethink their spending habits or make difficult trade-offs to manage their expenses.” W

In anticipation of upcoming legislation, food and beverage (F&B) operators in Singapore have been encouraged to integrateblockchain technology into their operations to enhance compliance standards. The call came as lawmakers in the city-state focused their efforts on enhancing traceability standards within the local ecosystem to ensure consumer protection in line with the new Food Safety and Security bill. Members of Parliament (MPs) advanced the bill past the second reading as it moves toward its final stages. The bill seeks to eliminate unsafe and expired food products from the supply chain before the final consumer can access them. A community reading of the bill makes it mandatory for sector players to keep clear information on food items, handling processes, and importers. ...