Dear readers, our article this week focuses on Foreign Interference and Misinformation 🗞️

Brief Overview
Coordinating Minister for National Security K. Shanmugam said at the Asia Future Summit 2025 that Singapore faces increasing challenges to social cohesion due to foreign interference, misinformation, and global conflicts. He noted that digital connectivity amplifies both diverse viewpoints and false narratives, often exploiting racial and religious sensitivities, while differing community perspectives on conflicts such as Gaza and Ukraine further expose these divides. To address this, he emphasised the need for strong social bonds, trust in the government, and credible mainstream media. He also highlighted the role of proactive laws targeting foreign interference and online falsehoods in mitigating risks early, and stressed the importance of maintaining an independent foreign policy that serves Singapore’s national interest without aligning with major powers.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/foreign-interference-misinformation-test-spores-unity-shanmugam

Relevance
The article is highly relevant to Singapore because it deals with issues that directly affect the country’s stability and identity. As a small, multicultural, and highly connected society, Singapore is particularly vulnerable to foreign interference and misinformation, which can quickly inflame racial or religious tensions. The differing reactions among communities to conflicts like Gaza or Ukraine also show how external events can spill into domestic society. The emphasis on trust in government, strong institutions, and laws such as POFMA reflects Singapore’s long-standing approach to maintaining order, social harmony, and resilience against external influence. It also reinforces Singapore’s need to stay diplomatically balanced rather than align with major powers.
In the GP context, the article is useful across several key themes. It provides real-world evidence for essays relating to media systems, showing how technology can both inform and divide. It supports arguments in politics and governance, particularly on whether governments should regulate speech or act pre-emptively. It is also relevant to social cohesion, illustrating the challenges of maintaining unity in diverse societies. More broadly, it connects to globalisation, demonstrating how international conflicts and information flows increasingly shape domestic issues.

Further Reading
In addition to this week’s article, we also have two other follow-up articles for you!

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/spore-blocks-6-websites-flagged-for-potential-use-in-hostile-information-campaigns

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/singapore-block-inauthentic-news-site-hostile-information-campaign-6088716

The 1st article is a recent news report regarding the Government blocking websites that could potentially be used for hostile information campaigns, while the 2nd article discusses why such hostile information campaigns are harmful to our country.

Discussion Questions
1. How should societies balance combating misinformation with protecting freedom of expression?

2. How much trust should citizens place in governments to decide what counts as “falsehood”?

3. Is staying neutral between major powers a sustainable long-term strategy for small states?

4. Does greater access to information make societies more informed or more divided?

Policies Mentioned and Vocabulary
- Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act [FICA]: a law passed by the Singapore Parliament that gives the government tools to detect, prevent, and counter foreign interference in domestic politics and society.
- Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA): a law that allows authorities to control and stop the spread of misinformation and false information
- Salutary: Having a good effect on someone/something, though often seeming unpleasant
- Client state: a country that depends on another country for military, economic, or political support

Dear readers, our article this week focuses on politics and governance, religion, society and technology.

Brief Overview
Recently, US President Donald Trump faced criticism after sharing an AI-generated image of him wearing a white robe, with a glowing hand on the forehead of a sick man, which critics said was similar to religious paintings showing Jesus healing the infirm. This AI generated message has received backlash from both sides of the US political spectrum, including some of Trump’s most ardent supporters.

Many have noted that this came after Pope Leo had repeatedly condemned the war in Iran, while Trump has repeatedly criticised Pope Leo on social media platforms.

Members of the Christian and Catholic community have shared their views online that religious figures should not be used for political imagery. Furthermore, the backlash from Trump’s own Christian base shows that this is not a partisan issue, but a moral boundary for many. Some people feel he is challenging the loyalty of his Christian supporters, especially because the MAGA movement is founded on the basis of conservative Christianity.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17v8y0z9z2o

Relevance to Singapore

Singapore is a multicultural society and the Singaporean government is also a fully secular state, maintaining a pragmatic and non-exclusive approach to religion. This is key to maintaining harmony between the many racial groups in Singapore. In 2025, Minister of Home Affairs Mr K. Shanmugam explained that we “had to have a framework of secular values” in order to maintain the importance of equality between religions. Despite being staunchly secular, however, he still recognised that religion is a “very powerful force” in building social infrastructure, especially in terms of supporting initiatives in inmate rehabilitation, drug prevention, and broader community work.

Discussion Questions

The US constitution lays down a separation of church and state. Should politics be secular and hence separate from religion? Why or why not?
What is the impact of the growing conflict between Trump’s Republican government and the Vatican?
What is the role of religion in our world today?
What is the degree/extent to which leaders should use AI?

Word bank

Infirm: not physically or mentally strong, especially through age or illness
Partisan: a strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.
Secular: a state structure that operates independently of religious influence, ensuring separation between religious institutions and public affairs.

Dear readers, our article this week (T2W7) talks about cultivating media literacy in teens.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-students-media-literacy-class-survey-fake-news-misinformation-deepfake-4649236 

Themes: media literacy, education, fake news, social media

Overview: A survey showed that around four in five Singapore students under 18 want media literacy lessons in school, since they struggle with fake news online. Over 60% reported encounters with misinformation, especially on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Heavy usage of these platforms increases susceptibility to misinformation that spreads easily on these platforms. Experts emphasise that media literacy education must be “unique” to engage the young. Schools have recently included these lessons in their curriculum. Importantly, parents also have to teach their children the skills to identify fake news, due to the new technology of deepfakes, which are commonly used in scams nowadays. 

Relevance: This article is extremely relevant to Singapore since it exposes the prevalence of fake news and misinformation on social media and other media platforms. Many teens spread such misinformation for humor, unknowingly making themselves more and more insensitive to such pieces of fake news and hence more susceptible to misinformation. Such a situation raises concerns because even the most “tech-savvy” generation has become increasingly vulnerable to fake news. 

Discussion/ thinking Questions:
Should media literacy be a part of the curriculum in schools?
How should schools teach students media literacy?
How do we curb the spread of misinformation?

Word bank:
Media literacy
Online falsehoods
Deepfake (tool)

Dear readers, our article this week (T2W8) talks about

Chosen Article: Global press freedom at an all-time low global press freedom falling to an all time low.
https://www.straitstimes.com/world/press-freedom-at-lowest-level-in-25-years-report
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/2026-world-press-freedom-index-space-independent-journalism-shrinking-worldwide-6092421
https://gijn.org/stories/2026-global-press-freedom-index/

Themes: Freedom of Press, Governance, Misinformation

Brief Overview of Article:
This year’s Reporters Without Borders (RSF) World Press Freedom Index - a measure of how much freedom journalists and the media have – has fallen to a historic low, indicating that press freedom has decreased drastically. This is largely due to authoritarian governments, political pressure and weak safeguards, applicable to many countries globally. 

Of the 5 indicators used to evaluate press freedom (political, legal, economic, social, and security), the legal indicator was reported to have experienced the most dramatic decrease. This can be seen in countries such as Russia, where journalists are increasingly being arrested due to laws created to restrict press freedom under the pretext of maintaining national security. 

Relevance to Singapore:
This article is relevant to Singapore as global press freedom directly affects the reliability of foreign news sources accessible to Singaporean citizens. This is because when press freedom decreases, news reporting may become more heavily influenced, regulated, or censored by governments or political groups, increasing the risk of biased reporting, disinformation, and misinformation.

With the knowledge that average press freedom has fallen, Singaporeans should take care to critically evaluate news obtained from foreign sources to reduce the risk of easily believing in misinformation and malinformation. This is especially important in light of recent concerns regarding foreign interference, online falsehoods, and the spread of misleading information through digital media platforms in Singapore. This is especially important in light of recent concerns regarding foreign interference and misinformation in Singapore’s media. 

Discussion Questions:
How can we identify misinformation in the media we consume?
Given that the reliability of some foreign media sources may be affected by declining press freedom, how can citizens evaluate which sources are trustworthy instead of rejecting foreign media entirely?
To what extent should press freedom be restricted to protect national security?

Vocab Bank: 
Authoritarian: Authoritarianism is a form of government or a management style characterized by strict obedience to authority, central power, and the restriction of individual freedoms. 
Criminalisation: Criminalisation is the act or process of making a behavior or activity illegal, typically through legislation. It transforms a previously legal action into a crime, resulting in potential legal punishment and societal treatment of involved individuals as criminals

Dear readers, our article this week (T2W9) surrounds the introduction of AI into education!

Chosen Article:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/ai-use-primary-4-moe-critical-skills-tutor-6129786?cid=WAcna_09062023

Brief Overview of Article:
The announcement made earlier in the year (March 2026) by MOE that AI will be introduced to students from Primary 4, aiming to have AI act like a teacher, asking students questions instead of relaying answers. The goal of this movement is to increase the productivity of educating students.

Though it sounds good on paper, some are concerned about the harms of students using AI; some of the most notable being that it prevents students from struggling with uncertainty that they would encounter in the real world, as well as dealing with discomfort and ambiguity, which can lead to a decline in critical thinking.

Primary school students especially will be affected to a great extent at their developing stage. The author questions how it might reshape the next generation’s learning habits, and if it will sabotage how students learn from their human peers.

Relevance to Singapore:
Besides the obvious fact that this is implemented in Singapore, this article is still extremely relevant to Singapore outside schools. Inevitably, AI is likely to be implemented in many areas in our lives. Despite all of the drama surrounding it, AI is still an extremely useful tool in navigating today’s fast-paced, technology-driven world. Hence, people must understand how to properly use it and control our overreliance on its usage.

AI is infamous for commonly hallucinating information, so AI safety is important to be aware of misinformation and falsehoods gleaned from it. People must be wary of using it excessively at the expense of losing vital skills that are consistently needed in survival, like decisiveness, communication, adaptability and many others. In general, AI must be used to support, build upon and improve life skills, and not create a shortcut to skip using them.

Discussion Questions:
What are some of the harms of improper usage of AI in work and school?
How can we use AI to improve our everyday lives, without being over-dependent on it?
Given that AI is often unreliable in responding from referencing other sources, how can we validate the responses - how do we know that they are accurate?

Vocab Bank:
Interim: temporary, provisional; "in the meantime."
Sycophantic: (adjective) someone who behaves in an insincere, overly eager way toward important or powerful people, usually to gain an advantage, a promotion, or special treatment

Dear readers, our article for the June Holidays focuses on the 2026 FIFA World Cup and what Singapore can learn from the tournament's various controversies.

Chosen Article:
https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/world-cup/fifa-world-cup-2026-most-controversial-world-cup-ever-as-fifa-sued-over-ticket-prices-iran-not-given-us-visas-48team-bracket-flaw-to-impact-tournament-ice-arrest-fears/news-story/04305709e1c168dc6a11efdc8e32740d

Brief Overview of Article:
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada is being overshadowed by major financial, political, and logistical challenges, leading critics to label it the most controversial tournament in modern sports history. One of the main issues is FIFA’s implementation of an unrestricted "dynamic pricing" model, which has driven final ticket prices up to an astronomical $6,000. This has even led to the Football Supporters Europe (FSE) group filing a lawsuit targeting FIFA's sales monopoly, alongside active legal investigations by New York and New Jersey authorities looking into allegations of creating "fake scarcity" and thus impossibly high prices.

Relevance to Singapore:
While Singapore is not hosting the games, the controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup offer vital takeaways for our society. As a global hub that depends heavily on global connectivity, Singaporeans can learn from the public backlash against FIFA's corporate practices. The outcry over dynamic pricing is a warning for our local sports and entertainment sectors; as demand-driven pricing becomes more common, I believe that consumer protection is necessary to prevent everyday citizens from being financially isolated from major cultural events. Especially as the sports scene in Singapore continues to grow, if Singapore wants it to grow rapidly, it will have to take cuts in prices of sporting event tickets, facilities, and development so that it can continue being accessible to the general public. This will encourage more people to take up and support the sports scene in Singapore.

Discussion Questions:
What are the ethical implications of using unrestricted "dynamic pricing" for global cultural or sporting events, and how does it affect inclusivity?
How do you think Singapore should act in order to continue stimulating growth in sports culture in the country?

Vocab Bank:
Monopoly: the exclusive possession or control of the supply of or trade in a commodity or service
Transparency: the condition of being open, clear, and easy to understand
Dynamic Pricing: a flexible pricing strategy where companies adjust prices based on real time demand and supply

Should there be an age restriction on social media platforms imposed by governments on youths? Why or Why not?
Is the presence of such large tech companies beneficial to society’s growth? Why or why not? 

Mini Vocabulary/Jargon List 
Federal 
a system of government where power is divided between a central national authority and individual states or provinces
Attorneys 
licensed legal professional qualified to prepare legal documents, provide legal advice, and represent clients in a court of law. 
Litigation 
Litigation is the overall legal process of resolving a dispute through the court system. It typically involves one party filing a lawsuit against another to enforce a legal right, defend against a claim, or seek compensation for harm.
Congressional 
an adjective that refers to or belongs to a congress, which is a formal law-making body.
Plaintiffs 
A plaintiff is the person, group, or entity that initiates a civil lawsuit by filing a formal complaint against another party (the defendant) in court. They claim to have suffered harm or financial loss and are typically seeking a legal remedy, such as financial compensation or a court order. 

Dear readers, our article this week focuses on social media and addiction, and its relevance to Singapore.

Chosen article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/meta-loses-bid-dismiss-us-states-claims-facebook-instagram-addict-children-6221781

Themes (s): Media, Economic Systems, Tech Giants

Brief Overview 
 A U.S. federal judge rejected Meta's bid to dismiss a lawsuit alleging Facebook and Instagram are intentionally designed to addict children, with the court ruling that Meta failed to comply with COPPA rules regarding parental consent. The case, which highlights potential links between platform design and youth mental health issues, carries relevance for global regulators and highlights ongoing debates surrounding age verification and algorithmic accountability. 

Relevance to Singapore 
The U.S. lawsuit against Meta's addictive design features, such as endless scrolling, aligns with Singapore's regulatory shift toward mitigating harmful platform design through the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI). Furthermore, the case strengthens Singapore's position to hold tech giants legally accountable for youth mental health harms and to enforce strict age-verification standards under the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA).
Direct Alignment with Singapore’s Legislative Crackdown 
Singapore is aggressively shifting its regulatory focus from merely filtering bad content to scrutinizing the internal design features of social media apps. 
Code of Practice for Online Safety: Administered by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), this code already mandates that designated social media services curb harmful content like suicide and self-harm—the exact mental health crises mentioned in the U.S. suit. 
Targeting "Addictive" Features: The Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) has stated that Singapore is moving toward targeting specific design elements (like endless scrolling or notification triggers) that systematically cause harm to younger users. 
Tightening age restrictions 
A major component of the U.S. ruling is that Meta failed to comply with parental consent and notice laws regarding minors. This directly intersects with Singapore’s latest systematic rollouts:
App Store Restrictions: Singapore mandated that designated app stores (like Apple and Google) implement mandatory age assurance measures. This system blocks minors under 18 from downloading adult apps and restricts younger children from accessing platforms like Instagram or TikTok without meeting strict verification signals. 
Upcoming Social Media Mandates: The MDDI is actively engaging social media platforms to enforce similar, robust age assurance metrics directly within their applications. 
Increasing governmental pressure on Meta
Singapore has shown that it is entirely willing to penalize Meta if it fails to protect local citizens. For instance, under the Online Criminal Harms Act (OCHA), Singapore issued multiple strict Implementation Directives forcing Meta to deploy advanced facial recognition and verification to combat scams on Facebook or face $1 million fines. The U.S. lawsuit reinforces the Singapore government’s stance that tech giants cannot simply rely on "self-regulation."
Legal redress for local victims 
With the launch of the Online Safety Commission (OSC) under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act, Singaporeans have a direct, fast-acting tribunal to force tech giants to pull down harmful content and reveal anonymous perpetrators. When U.S. courts establish that platform algorithms are legally liable for causing depression or insomnia in youth, it empowers local bodies like the OSC to hold these same companies to account when Singaporean youth suffer similar online harms.

Discussion Questions 
Should large tech companies like Google, Meta etc be regulated by the government. (aka should they be allowed to run freely) Why or why not? 

Dear readers, our article this week surrounds the issue of climate change, and how it has affected people around the world ⚡

Chosen article: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gyqldl3p5o

Themes: Climate change, Climate adaptation

Brief Overview of Article:
Due to climate change and the rapidly strengthening ‘Super El Niño’, Europe has been experiencing its worst heatwave in history. France particularly has been hit hard. Amidst soaring temperatures, heat-related deaths are spiking, schools are being forced to shut down, and working conditions in essential facilities such as hospitals are becoming intolerable. This has led to a rush to purchase air-conditioning units to help cope with the heat as currently, only about 25% of households have air conditioning. However, critics argue that this is just a temporary band-aid that doesn’t address the core problem of climate change. Moreover, air-conditioning may worsen the problem in the future due to the increased electricity consumption, potential leakage of coolants that act as greenhouse gasses, and the urban heating effect.

Relevance to Singapore:
This article is relevant to Singapore as it shows how the lack of adaptation to climate change can be dangerous and potentially deadly. As a relatively small tropical island, we are even more vulnerable to the effects of climate change such as rising sea levels and heatwaves. This highlights how crucial Singapore’s investment and planning in climate adaptation strategies such as the Coastal Protection and Flood Management Research Programme are to ensuring the future safety and survival of our country.

Discussion Questions:
Should climate change mitigation be prioritised over adaptation strategies to ensure long-term sustainability?
To what extent is the statement that ‘Climate change is no longer a future threat but a present emergency,’ true?
Should we pursue climate mitigation at all costs?

Vocab bank:
El Nińo: a naturally occurring climate phenomenon characterized by above-average sea-surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
Urban heating effect: a meteorological phenomenon where cities experience significantly higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to factors such as waste heat from human activities (Air conditioning systems etc), heat-absorbing materials, and lack of vegetation.
Climate adaptation: Taking action to prepare for and adjust to the current and projected impacts of climate change
Climate change mitigation: Actions to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions from human activities as well as remove existing greenhouse gasses.
Environmentalists: A person who is concerned about or advocates for protecting the environment.

Dear readers, the article this week is about the inflation of energy prices.

Chosen article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/10/business/economy/inflation-consumer-price-index.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

Themes: economic systems, (inflation) , politics (ongoing US-Iran war), techonology

Brief overview: Driven by the ongoing war with Iran, U.S. inflation accelerated for a third straight month in May. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) jumped 4.2% annually—up from 2.4% pre-war—and 0.5% over the month, marking the fastest pace since April 2023.The surge was fueled by a 23.5% spike in energy prices, which effectively wiped out recent American wage gains. The resulting financial strain has forced even households making over $100,000 to pull back and shop at discount stores like Dollar General. Additionally, Artificial Intelligence(AI) has intensified the issue due to the large power demands of massive new data centers that have pushed electricity costs up nearly 6% from last year. While AI may eventually lower service costs in the long term, it currently only adds more to the immediate energy shock price, which could get worse as countries run down their reserves or, better, if a durable peace in the Middle East is reached. 

Relevance: Singapore is a vulnerable country due to the absence of natural resources and our small size. Therefore, we are heavily dependent on other countries for resources such as oil. Due to the ongoing US Iran war, higher electricity and gas tariffs have been imposed from April to June as energy and fuel costs rise, and are expected to be further elevated in the subsequent quarters of the year. Though the government has taken measures like refineries scaling back production and firms sourcing supplies beyond the Middle East, as well as strengthening longer-term resilience by deepening energy partnerships including with Australia, which already supplies more than one-third of Singapore’s LNG we ought to play a part by using more energy-efficient appliances and conserving energy to reduce energy consumption which will help lower energy costs and contribute to Singapore's energy resilience.

Discussion questions: What could be the other aspects that the ongoing US Iran war has affected? How else should Singapore support its citizens in these volatile times?

Word Bank:
stalemate:a situation in which neither group involved in an argument can win or get an advantage and no action can be taken: 
tariff: a tax or duty imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries
fiscal: of or relating to taxation, public revenues or public debts

Written by Nina Pang (I2)

Dear readers, this weeks article is on how the boom in the AI industry is impacting electricity bills, water and more 
https://www.consumerreports.org/data-centers/ai-data-centers-impact-on-electric-bills-water-and-more-a1040338678/ 

Theme(s): Economic systems (inflation), Technology (AI), Environment
Brief Overview Of Article:
Behind the success of the artificial intelligence boom lies a massive, resource-hungry reality. A survey by Consumer Reports reveals that as tech giants rapidly construct specialized data centers to power AI models like ChatGPT, everyday consumers are growing deeply concerned about the hidden toll on their wallets and communities.
The primary threat? Skyrocketing utility bills. Running and cooling the server stacks required for AI requires staggering amounts of electricity. The International Energy Agency says a typical hyperscale data center might use 100 megawatts (MW), as much electricity as 100,000 households. This leaves a staggering 78% of American households anxious that this rapid data center expansion will inflate their residential electric bills.
Beyond electricity, these facilities rely on millions of gallons of water daily to cool their equipment and prevent overheating, which threatens local reservoirs during unprecedented droughts. While tech companies frequently pledge to self-fund grid upgrades and offset their environmental footprint, these commitments often lack the transparency, accountability, and regulatory oversight necessary to guarantee that corporate growth won't be subsidized by the average ratepayer. 
Ultimately, the article highlights the important balance between economic development through AI and protecting consumer utility budgets and localized natural resources.
Relevance:
With recent news of a nationwide push for AI deployment in Singapore, data centres are projected to significantly increase their electricity consumption, resulting in a greater demand for our limited gas, increasing wholesale prices and subsequently higher electricity costs for residents.

Additionally, Singapore’s tropical climate may require even more resources for cooling of equipment. In the US, companies can use cooler ambient air to save resources. In Singapore, where it is hot and humid, traditional air cooling may require more power and industrial water-cooling systems may need to draw more heavily on local water resources. 

With Singapore’s limited natural resources, the expansion of AI data centres may exacerbate its impacts here. Thus, it is crucial that Singapore does not chase the goal of becoming a global AI hub without considering the implications it may cause.

Discussion Questions: 
Is it worth compromising on environmental or utility goals to stay competitive in the global tech economy?
Should tech giants be legally mandated to directly subsidise utility bills of local residents in the communities where they build data centres?
For every AI prompt we type, video we stream and image we generate requires physical water and electricity to process. As consumers, do we have an ethical responsibility to ration our digital footprint, or is the burden of sustainability entirely on tech companies?

Vocab Bank:
ratepayer: a person who pays for a public utility such as electricity or water
price-taker
tax break: a government incentive designed to lower a person's or business's overall tax bill
moratorium: delay or suspension of an activity or law

By: Janice Lim (26-E2)

Dear readers, this week’s article explores politics in Singapore, specifically the dynamics between Worker’s Party and PAP
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/pap-triumphs-again-singapore-workers-party-emerges-main-opposition-2025-05-04/ 
Article: As PAP triumphs again in Singapore, Workers’ Party emerges as main opposition — Reuters, 4 May 2025
Theme: Political Systems
1. Brief Overview of Article
Singapore’s 2025 General Election saw the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) secure another decisive victory, winning 87 of the 97 parliamentary seats and about 65% of the popular vote. This was the PAP’s 14th consecutive electoral victory since Singapore’s independence. Meanwhile, the Workers’ Party (WP) retained the remaining 10 seats and strengthened its position as Singapore’s main opposition party. Reuters highlights that Singapore may increasingly resemble a “one-and-a-half party” system, where one party remains overwhelmingly dominant while a smaller opposition party provides an alternative voice. The election therefore raises questions about the balance between political stability and political plurality in Singapore.
2. Link to the GP Theme: Political Systems
The article is closely connected to the Political Systems theme because it examines how Singapore’s parliamentary democracy functions in practice.
Singapore holds regular elections in which citizens vote for their representatives, but the PAP has remained in power since before independence. This raises an interesting GP issue: Can a political system still be considered competitive and democratic when one political party consistently dominates elections?
The article also highlights the growing importance of the Workers’ Party as Singapore’s main opposition force. Although the opposition remains much smaller than the PAP, its presence can provide greater scrutiny of government policies and introduce alternative perspectives into Parliament.
3. Relevance to Singapore and Hence Us
This issue is directly relevant to us because Singapore’s political system affects almost every aspect of our lives, including education, housing, healthcare, national service, taxation and the economy.
As young Singaporeans, many of us will soon become eligible to vote. Understanding how our political system works allows us to make more informed decisions rather than simply voting based on party loyalty or popular opinion.
The PAP’s continued dominance also raises an important question about Singapore’s political priorities. Its supporters may argue that political stability and continuity have contributed to Singapore’s economic development and social stability. On the other hand, a stronger opposition could provide greater checks on the government, encourage debate and ensure that alternative viewpoints are represented.
Ultimately, the issue is not simply whether the PAP or opposition is “better”. Rather, we should consider how much political competition is desirable for Singapore while maintaining effective and stable governance.
4. Questions for Deeper Thought
1. Is political stability more important than having a strong and competitive opposition in a country like Singapore? Why or why not?
2. If one political party consistently wins elections, does this necessarily mean that the political system lacks meaningful competition?
3. Should young Singaporeans prioritise continuity and stability when voting, or should they place greater emphasis on political diversity and alternative voices?
5. Mini Vocabulary / Jargon List
1. Political plurality The existence of multiple political parties or viewpoints within a political system, allowing citizens to choose between different alternatives.
2. Mandate The authority or support given to a government by voters to carry out its policies after winning an election.
3. Opposition Political parties that are not part of the ruling government and whose role includes scrutinising and challenging government policies.
4. Supermajority A majority significantly larger than a simple 50% majority.

In Singapore, holding a two-thirds majority of parliamentary seats gives the government the ability to pass constitutional amendments without needing opposition support.
5. One-and-a-half party system A political system in which one party is clearly dominant, while another opposition party has a significant but much smaller presence and is capable of providing some political competition.
By Jiang Ruolin 26-O3