From former army officers to clinical psychologists, the public sector has consistently served as a fertile recruiting ground for fresh talents for the PAP, and this trend is also being observed among the opposition parties.
In many parts of Southeast Asia, political parties tend to depend on personal charm or family influence when selecting their candidates. However, in Singapore, it is typically the stepping down of high-ranking civil servants and military officials that paves the way for them to enter politics—especially as elections draw near.
Discussions surrounding prominent officials stepping down during an election year typically focus on when and where they will be deployed by the governing People's Action Party (PAP).
As the elections are anticipated either this month or the following one, several public officials who stepped down recently have been seen on site wearing the distinctive PAP white attire over the last week. This group includes a previous army head and a former deputy permanent secretary from the trade ministry, both of whom departed their positions earlier in the year.
Are you looking for insights into the most significant issues and developments globally? Find your answers here.
SCMP Knowledge
Our updated platform features handpicked content including explainers, FAQs, analyses, and infographics, all provided by our esteemed team of experts.
According to Eugene Tan, a law professor at the Singapore Management University, the extended reign of the PAP has conditioned many Singaporeans to view certain attributes as key qualities in ideal candidates. These traits encompass strong academic backgrounds, professional certifications, and technical expertise.
He mentioned that this is complemented by a focus on meritocracy, highlighted by the most skilled and talented individuals in the political sphere. Therefore, political parties must demonstrate how well their nominees measure up.
Since 1959, even prior to Singapore achieving independence in 1965, the People's Action Party (PAP) has been at the helm of the nation's governance, rendering it one of the most enduring ruling parties within contemporary democratic systems.
For many years, the PAP has relied heavily on the public service and military to recruit talented individuals, thereby establishing itself as a party known for its corps of experts and professionals.
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong previously served as the head of the Energy Market Authority prior to being nominated by the PAP for West Coast in 2011. His predecessor, Lee Hsien Loong, who is the son of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, had a career as a brigadier-general in the military before entering politics in 1984.
Apart from Wong, many of the nation's fourth-generation leadership group—often recognized as such—are seasoned public administrators. This includes Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, National Development Minister Desmond Lee, and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. Interestingly, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing transitioned into politics in 2011 after leaving his role as head of the armed forces.
Since 2006, at least one senior military official has resigned from their position to enter each electoral race. Each of these individuals subsequently assumed roles as governmental officials within various ministries following their successful elections.
Elvin Ong, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, stated to This Week in Asia that the public sector has traditionally been a breeding ground for top-tier candidates for the PAP.
"Due to the frequent interactions between politicians and bureaucrats, voters have become quite acquainted with these candidates. This allows them to assess the personalities and capabilities of the contenders. As a result, voters often perceive these candidates as highly capable, making them more inclined to support them," Ong explained.
Independent political analyst Felix Tan observed that numerous former public sector nominees were government scholars who thrived within the framework established by the PAP. They viewed joining politics under the party’s flag as an opportunity to reciprocate and contribute to society.
Regarding the effectiveness of selecting individuals from similar backgrounds for voter appeal, Felix Tan contended that Singaporean voters placed greater importance on qualifications and trustworthiness in their candidates.
In conclusion, the public has faith in the PAP as a brand to select individuals capable of crafting effective policies and managing the nation efficiently. Typically, the PAP draws people who, with some rare exceptions, can be relied upon.
'Different as individuals'
Although certain online sentiments and alternate media outlets in the city-state claimed that military officers particularly lacked practical experience for serving the community, Terence Lee, a senior fellow at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, stated that there wasn’t enough proof to support such claims.
"Ng Chee Meng's defeat in 2020 doesn't signify a dismissal of every officer transitioning into politics," stated Lee, commenting on the ex-lieutenant-general’s loss in Sengkang who later became a cabinet minister.
Lee pointed out that potential candidates should possess not only the transferable inherent abilities gained from their military experience but also extrinsic skills related to interpersonal interactions and community involvement.
Teo Kay Key, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies' Social Lab, stated, "Ultimately, it comes down to each individual candidate and their ability to connect with voters, their contributions to Parliament, and their performance as political officials. They can vary significantly from one another despite often being grouped together."
Malminderjit Singh, a political analyst, echoed her thoughts by stating that holding a high position within the public sector does not automatically classify someone as part of an elite group.
Since the PAP aims to establish the government as the leading political party, it needs to draw talented individuals from both the public and private sectors, whether they are potential leaders or not.
Singh asserts that the public sector has long served as a prime recruiting ground for the PAP; however, this trend exists for valid reasons since several of the organization’s most effective and well-liked leaders during recent administrations hail from public service backgrounds.
He stated that public officials possess a solid grasp of grassroots concerns, policy mechanisms, formulating and disseminating policies, as well as balancing broader considerations, coupled with their commitment to service-oriented guidance, making them ideally suited for assuming roles in politics.
Ong emphasized that for previous civil servants and retired military members to effectively grasp and advocate for residents' concerns in parliament, it was crucial for them to possess community engagement experience.
"Preferably, a cabinet should include individuals from varied demographics, skill sets, experiences, and backgrounds, enabling them to effectively consider multiple viewpoints when crafting policy and create more comprehensive legislation," he stated.
A voter, Singapore-based IT professional Royston Tang, aged 44, shared similar views. He emphasized that individuals transitioning from top positions in the armed forces must demonstrate their ability to understand and relate to citizens’ issues. Additionally, Mr. Tang noted that these individuals ought to dedicate considerable effort towards familiarizing themselves with the specific ministries they aim to join as elected officials.
He contended that certain ex-officers who became politicians appeared incapable of forming genuine connections with individuals at the grassroots level.
Tang proposed that a candidate’s profile might benefit from a broader range of experience extending past their service in the military. He stated, “To attract former military personnel to run for Parliament, these individuals ought to have at least 15 years of actively engaging with their communities rather than just showing up during election times.”
Women and youth
According to experts, the sole deviation from convention in the PAP’s recruitment strategy appears to involve drawing in more youthful participants and an increased number of female applicants.
In August, Wong mentioned their intention to include more female candidates for the upcoming general election. They emphasized that increased diversity would offer “a broader array of viewpoints and aid in developing superior solutions.”
In the previous election of 2020, women secured 27 out of the 93 available seats, which is less than one-third of the total seats. In comparison, the percentage stood at approximately 24% in 2015 and 23% in 2011.
The Dean of NUS forecasts that the PAP will include a higher number of women among their candidates, ensuring that each Group Representation Constituency team has at least one female member.
Citing Sengkang, the second multimodal constituency secured by the opposition in the previous elections, Ong pointed out that a common justification for their defeat was the all-male lineup of the PAP team. According to Ong, it’s improbable for the PAP to revert to those times.
Onlookers also point out that the newer members of the PAP appear to be quite youthful, largely falling within the age range of their mid-30s to early 40s.
Teo mentioned that one of the PAP's selection criteria appears to focus on both maintaining continuity and fostering party rejuvenation.
Eugene Tan contended that the focus of candidate selection in this general election was on younger individuals. He explained, "This indicates the ruling party’s wish to attract votes from millennials and Generation Z, precisely those groups most open to calls for increased political diversity and competition."
'No wipeout'
Across the political spectrum in Singapore, as the opposing parties have started gaining more credibility due to their persistent participation in parliament, they've also managed to draw highly qualified individuals into their ranks—some coming from backgrounds traditionally reserved for members of the governing body.
Approximately half of the new candidates presented by the PAP typically hail from the public sector, except for in 2015 when around 60 percent were drawn from the private sector. In contrast, recruiting people directly from the public service has seldom happened for the opposition parties.
Certain exemptions are notable, such as Sylvia Lim, who was working at a polytechnic when she contested for the Workers' Party in 2006, ex-WP member and sociology lecturer from the National University of Singapore, Daniel Goh, along with Professor Paul Tambyah specializing in infectious diseases at the National University Health System and serving as the chairman of the Singapore Democratic Party.
Recently, Ong Lue Ping, who serves as a senior principal clinical psychologist at the Institute of Mental Health, has been seen campaigning in WP blue in the eastern part of Singapore.
Previously, the main contenders for the party primarily came from the private sector and consisted of a prominent attorney, several consultants, and business owners. In recent years, the WP has successfully drawn in alumni from top-tier institutions like Harvard, Oxford, and Cambridge Universities.
Analysts consulted by This Week in Asia suggested that this indicated an increasing normalization of opposing political forces, primarily driven by the WP, which attained credibility through winning parliamentary seats.
"Ong from WP is neither the initial nor the final public sector employee to venture into opposition politics. This indicates that the stigma associated with opposition politics is no longer a significant concern," stated Tan from SMU.
During the 1980s and 1990s, individuals who opposed the government in Singapore occasionally faced lawsuits for defamation brought by leaders of the People's Action Party (PAP), which often resulted in significant financial burdens or even bankruptcy.
Nonetheless, Ong joining the WP signifies what "a mature political system ought to produce," as per Tan's view.
He stated that as the quality of opposition politicians narrows the gap with those from the People's Action Party (PAP), it is unlikely for the opposition to face total elimination in upcoming elections.
Teo further noted that numerous individuals who eventually joined the WP ranks were often volunteers or had previously worked with the party long before their involvement became known to the public or the media.
She noted that this demonstrates the WP’s general capacity to attract and keep top-tier talent, as well as persuade them to stand as candidates for the opposition.
The inclusion of civil servants joining opposition parties indicates that the political environment in Singapore has evolved to a point where multiple political parties exist, offering various options for those who want to engage in national affairs through politics.
More Articles from SCMP
China's CATL maintains confidence in Hong Kong with intentions to list this quarter, according to sources.
China delivers two advisories to its citizens regarding travel to the U.S., advising 'proceed with caution.'
Mario Carbone’s fiancée, Cait Bailey, resembles Margot Robbie. She is a prominent publicist known for representing figures such as Zayn Malik, TikTok stars Charli D'Amelio and Alix Earle, and podcast host Alex Cooper.
Encounter Joe Rogan’s estranged half-sister Rosa Rogan Lunelli, a supporter of Trump, who is now voicing her opposition to him. The makeup artist criticized Rogan for describing their father as 'psychotic.'
The article initially appeared on the South China Morning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.
Copyright © 2025. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
