Singapore Politics: Know Your Parties

Once every 5 years, Singaporeans will have to vote and elect the next generation of leaders to lead us forward.

Today is D-day!

Who are the political figures and parties in Singapore? Who will you vote? Here’s a glimpse.

People’s Action Party 人民行动党
(formed in 1954)
Founder: Lee Kuan Yew & Lim Chin Siong
Party Leader: Lee Hsien Loong
Contesting in GE2011: All SMCs and GRCs

The red represents action. The blue circle stands for unity of all races. The white background signifies purity and integrity.

Worker’s Party 新加坡工人党
(formed in 1957)
Founder: David Marshall
Party Leader: Low Thia Khiang
Contesting in GE2011: Joo Chiat, Sengkang West, Punggol East, Hougang, Nee Soon GRC, Moulmein-Kallang GRC, East Coast GRC, Aljunied GRC

The yellow hammer symbolises workers and yellow represents power of the people. The red signifies passion. The yellow ring stands for unity of the workers in Singapore.

Singapore Democratic Party 新加坡民主党
(formed in 1980)
Founder: Chiam See Tong
Party Leader: Chee Soon Juan
Contesting in GE2011: Bukit Panjang, Yuhua, Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Sembawang GRC

The circle symbolises unity amongst Singapore’s ethnic groups. The arrow representing political progress in Singapore. The colour red signifying courage and determination.

Singapore People’s Party 新加坡人民党
(formed in 1994)
Founder: Sin Kek Tong
Party Leader: Chiam See Tong
Contesting in GE2011: Potong Pasir, Hong Kah North, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

National Solidarity Party 国民团结党
(formed in 1987)
Founder: Group of businessmen and women
Party Leader: Sebastian Teo
Contesting in GE2011: Radin Mas, Pioneer, Whampoa, Mountbatten, Tampines GRC, Jurong GRC, Chua Chu Kang GRC, Marine Parade GRC

The logo represents a sign of vitality and rebirth.

The Reform Party
(formed in 2008)
Founder: Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam
Party Leader: Kenneth Jeyaretnam
Contesting in GE2011: West Coast GRC, Ang Mo Kio GRC

Singapore Democratic Alliance 新加坡民主联盟
(formed in 2001)
Founder: Chiam See Tong
Party Leader: Chiam See Tong
Contesting in GE2011: Punggol East, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Initially an alliance of four political parties: the  National Solidarity Party (NSP), the Singapore Justice Party (SJP), the Singapore People’s Party (SPP), and the Singapore Malay National Organization (PKMS). Currently only SJP and PKMS are still part of SDA.