\n<\/p>\n
Experts also considered the WP\u2019s position as Singapore\u2019s leading opposition party.<\/p>\n
In the 2025 General Election, the WP defended its 10 seats in Aljunied and Sengkang Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) as well as Hougang Single Member Constituency, and also gained two Non-Constituency MP seats.<\/p>\n
Mr Singh was part of the WP team re-elected in Aljunied GRC with 59.71 per cent of the vote.<\/p>\n
IPS’ Dr Tan said Mr Singh is likely credited for WP\u2019s good electoral performance and is viewed as a capable leader.<\/p>\n
Ms Ngiow noted that while the saga began in 2021, it did not appear to have hurt the party at the polls. She pointed out that in addition to defending its constituencies, WP improved its vote share in Sengkang GRC.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThis suggests voters are judging the party on broader grounds, for example, its parliamentary performance and constituency work, rather than on this single incident,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cSingaporean voters tend to be pragmatic, and so long as WP continues to demonstrate competence in its wards, any long-term political damage remains containable.\u201d<\/p>\n
WP supporters would not have left because of the verdict, but Mr Singh now needs to work on gaining the support and confidence of voters in the middle ground who are reserving judgment on it, Dr Mustafa said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI think what he may need to do going forward is to let his deeds, his actions, do the talking.\u201d<\/p>\n
SMU’s Assoc Prof Tan said that WP occupies a \u201cunique position\u201d in Singapore’s political landscape. It is the only opposition party in the 15th parliament, and “the only party which has a standing that comes close to the PAP (<\/span>People\u2019s Action Party)”.<\/p>\n \u201cSo this setback will be cushioned somewhat,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n “The hard truth is that this final outcome is a severe reputational hit to him as a politician, a sitting\u00a0Member of Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition, WP leader, and to the WP.”<\/span><\/p>\n With the 15th parliament still in its early days, the WP and Mr Singh “<\/span>will have time to put this matter behind them”.<\/p>\n “But if he continues to cast doubt on his conviction or he or his party gets embroiled in another scandal in this parliamentary term, the special position of the WP could very quickly unravel,” said Assoc Prof Tan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n