Singapore General Election 2025: A Voter’s Reflection

The Election Department has spoken—Singapore is heading to the polls on May 3rd, 2025. The electoral map has been drawn and redrawn, and now, 92 parliamentary seats are up for grabs. But not all of them will be contested. In Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC, for instance, five seats have already gone to the People’s Action Party (PAP) uncontested.

If you're voting this time around, it means you're at least 21 years old and a Singaporean citizen. Permanent residents don't get a say in the ballot box. As of June 2023, there were about 540,000 PRs in Singapore, but the voting population stands at roughly 2.75 million out of the 5.918 million total residents.

So, how will you decide where to place your vote? Will it be based on party loyalty? Or do you judge the candidate by how they present themselves—how they speak, what they’ve accomplished, or how involved they’ve been in the community? Maybe you’re influenced by the strength of their party's brand. Or maybe it’s a gut feeling.

The act of voting is deeply personal, and for many, sacred. In fact, it's a topic often avoided in conversations, even among close friends or family. Politics can be divisive. I've had to tell a friend recently, "Let’s not go there," because I knew it would lead to nowhere productive.

Politics, as many say, is a dirty game. It’s about power—about who controls the majority and, ultimately, the narrative. But power isn’t just about legal mandates. It’s also about popularity, about winning hearts to win control. And honestly, if you’re content with who’s governing, that’s great. But if you’re not, it makes perfect sense to want change.

The Power Struggle and Hegemony

Let’s talk about hegemony—the dominance of one group over others. In politics, it often refers to the control one ruling power has over the rest. And it’s this dominance that leads some to naturally fall in line with the prevailing force. Why rock the boat when the system works for you?

But not everyone is content. Around the world, we’ve seen resistance bloom into movements—#MeToo, Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ rights, Hong Kong’s Umbrella Movement, the Arab Spring. Each one is proof that when people rally behind a cause, change is possible.

So, what about Singapore? Is something like that even possible here?

Our rules around free speech and public assembly—think POFMA and the tightly regulated

Speakers’ Corner at Hong Lim Park—make it clear: activism here is a careful dance. Some argue that Singapore’s governance is “high-handed.” Others say we’ve been too conditioned by the ideals of Lee Kuan Yew. Whether you call it indoctrination or leadership, the result is the same: most Singaporeans don’t take risks.

Culture, Conditioning, and Comfort Zones

Look around. How many of us choose safe, stable civil service jobs over entrepreneurship? That “iron rice bowl” remains too tempting to pass up. And when the idea of stepping out of our comfort zone is raised, the answer is often a quick “No.”

This isn’t just societal. It starts at home—with parents urging kids to chase academic success so they can secure a “better future.” Kids who don’t make it to the express stream? They’re often labeled early on, carrying those stigmas for life.

Society here has tied our worth to material signs of success—cars, condos, clubs, and couture. Want proof? Walk into a Hermès store carrying a Birkin bag and watch how you're

treated.

Media, Culture, and the Singapore Identity

Let’s talk media. Compared to Korea or China, our pop culture scene barely registers. Mediacorp is often criticized for its lackluster programming, but few dig deeper into why that is. A quick look at who owns the major media companies reveals their links to the government. With this kind of control, what kind of vibrant, independent content can we expect?

Media shapes culture. And when it’s heavily curated, the result is a diluted identity. We rarely see authentic representations of modern Singaporean life or critical issues tackled head-on. Our media landscape lacks the space for bold storytelling, rigorous journalism, or cultural innovation.

And yet, I’ve made peace with these realities. I respect the foundational work of our forefathers. I understand the temptation to believe that life is always better elsewhere. But I choose to stay. I’ve accepted our heat, our HDB prices, our $2 teh-si, and the disappearing joy of affordable cai fan.

I’ve come to terms with who I am as a Singaporean born in the 1970s. I’ve chosen to contribute—as a lecturer, a taxpayer, a community member.

David vs. Goliath: A Political Analogy

Let’s be honest—Singapore politics is a lopsided game. The PAP is Goliath: strong, established, and resource-rich. The opposition is David, armed with conviction but little else. It takes time, money, and energy to mount a credible campaign, and the smaller parties struggle with continuity and reach.

Joining PAP might seem like the smart move—after all, it’s a well-oiled machine. But the real question is: Do you join for the easy ride or because you believe in their vision?

In volleyball, we always want to be on the winning team. But politics shouldn’t just be about winning. It should be about representation, about beliefs.

To PAP candidates, I ask: What do you really stand for? To opposition candidates: Are you in this for the long game, or just making noise? We’ve seen folks like Chee Soon Juan who’ve stuck it out. That’s conviction.

Municipal vs. National Issues

Being a Member of Parliament isn’t just about attending events or fixing block lights. It’s about listening—really listening—to residents, understanding both the local and national issues they face.

Yes, grassroots work matters. But so does having a voice in Parliament. I’d rather see someone like Louis Ng, who asks tough questions, than someone who shows up in Parliament just to take attendance.

Connection and Authenticity

A person’s eyes don’t lie. If you’re real, we’ll see it. This job is about connecting with people. If you're an introvert, this might not be for you. Don’t play a role—just be yourself. We’ve seen emotional moments in our political history, and we can usually tell when they’re genuine—or not.

Campaign With Integrity

One thing I hate? Smear campaigns. Marketing 101: you don’t build a brand by tearing others down. Thankfully, things have gotten more civil over the years. But the campaign trail will test this.

As voters, we don’t need mudslinging. We need clarity, vision, and respect.

The Power of Your Vote

I’m not a politician. I’m just a voter. But like you, I know how powerful our vote is. Don’t dismiss it by saying “nothing changes.” Nothing changes if we don’t want it to change.

For many, the decision is already made. But if you’re on the fence—your vote matters.

Take the next 9 days seriously. Watch the videos. Attend rallies. Read up. Ask questions.

Think hard. Vote wisely.

Because on May 3rd, we decide—together—what kind of Singapore we want.

And may the force be with you on 4th May 2025.

(P.S. I’ll be voting in East Coast GRC.)