 A nine-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID is currently probing the death of Garg in Singapore.


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Singer Zubeen Garg's manager Siddhartha Sharma and North East India Festival organiser Shyamkanu Mahanta have been arrested in connection with the singer’s death in Singapore. Garg drowned on September 19 during the festival visit.

The two were taken into custody by Assam Police after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the case. Both had been served notices and were on a lookout circular issued via Interpol

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Sri Lanka Pollution Case: In a move that could have major implications for global shipping, a leading maritime company declared it will refuse to pay the $1 billion fine imposed by Sri Lanka’s highest court, stemming from one of the island nation’s most severe environmental disasters. 


Sri Lanka Pollution Case: Singapore Firm Refuses $1 Billion Payment Citing Trade Risks 

Sri Lanka Pollution Case: A Singapore-based shipping company announced to AFP on Tuesday (Sep 23) that it will not comply with a Sri Lankan court order to pay US$1 billion in damages for causing the country’s worst environmental pollution incident.


Sri Lanka Pollution Case: Singapore Firm Refuses $1 Billion Payment 

The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 has named the world’s safest countries. According to the report, nations with strong governance, low corruption and effective use of resources are considered as most peaceful countries. Let's have a look at top six safest countries in world in 2025.

The Global Peace Index (GPI) 2025 has named the world’s safest countries. According to the report, nations with strong governance, low corruption and effective use of resources are considered as most peaceful countries. Let's have a look at top six safest countries in world in 2025.

From Switzerland to Singapore, 6 safest countries in the world (2025)

Singapore PM Lawrence Wong visits India and holds bilateral talks with PM Modi.
India is in talks to join joint patrols in the strategically vital Malacca Strait, a key global shipping route. The move aims to enhance maritime security and counter growing regional threats.



Singapore PM Lawrence Wong Visits India, Holds Bilateral Talks With PM Modi | WION

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint press conference after meeting his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Sep 4) thanked Singapore for sharing “same concerns over terrorism” and hailed 60 years of diplomatic ties between both the countries. He also called the UPI-Pay now digital partnership a success.


Singapore vows to support India's semiconductor industry

Modi-Wong meet: PM Modi meets Singapore’s PM Wong, thanks him for confidence in India

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a joint press conference after meeting his Singapore counterpart Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Sep 4) thanked Singapore for sharing “same concerns over terrorism” and hailed 60 years of diplomatic ties between both the countries. He also called the UPI-Pay now digital partnership a success.

Modi-Wong Meet: PM Thanks Singapore President For Support After Pahalgam Terror Attack 

From Japan to Germany, here's a look at the top five countries with most robots for every 10,000 workers. This list also includes South Korea, Singapore and China.

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World’s most automated economies: 5 countries with most robot workers — Check which country tops list

Singapore's deputy prime minister Gan Kim Yong, who is on an India visit, is expected to announce investments worth over $4bn in four projects in the western state of Maharashtra later today.&nbsp;&nbsp;The minister is on a Mumbai visit, along with Singapore's transport minister Jeffrey Siow, and visited PSA port in Navi Mumbai and will visit JNPA and the Capital Land data centre in Thane.&nbsp;&nbsp;Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis joined Singapore's DPM Yong &amp; Transport Min Siow at PSA's new Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal Phase 2. At Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Shipping Minister Sonowal will be there to jointly launch the Maritime Week.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Maharashtra CM <a href="https://twitter.com/Dev_Fadnavis?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Dev_Fadnavis</a> joined 🇸🇬 DPM Gan Kim Yong &amp; Transport Min Jeffrey Siow at <a href="https://twitter.com/PSAIndia1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PSAIndia1</a>&#39;s new Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal Phase 2! BMCT is now 🇮🇳&#39;s largest container terminal (4.8 mil TEUs) and has the longest wharf (2000m). PSA invested a total of US$1.3 Billion. <a href="https://t.co/MK0JgrmWLz">pic.twitter.com/MK0JgrmWLz</a>&mdash; Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/SGinIndia/status/1955189661573267852?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 12, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The visit of the Singapore Deputy Prime Minister comes ahead of the 3rd round of the India-Singapore Ministerial Roundtable (ISMR) in Delhi on 13th August. The ISMR is a key bilateral platform for ministers from Singapore and India to discuss bilateral cooperation and exchange views on issues of mutual interest.&nbsp;Wednesday's roundtable will see the participation of Singapore's deputy prime minister and Minister (Trade &amp; Industry) Gan Kim Yong, Home Minister K Shanmugam, Foreign Minister Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo, Science and Technology Minister Dr Tan See Leng, and Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow. They will see Indian counterparts, including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, EAM Dr S Jaishankar, Trade Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, Railways, and Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw. Minister Sitharaman is leading the talks from the Indian side.&nbsp;The roundtable will see a number of MoU expected to be signed. The first round of the India-Singapore roundtable took place in Delhi in September 2022, followed by the 2nd round last year in Singapore and 3rd round in India this year.&nbsp;The roundtable comes ahead of Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's India visit, expected to be in early September. This year marks the 60th year of the establishment of India, Singapore diplomatic ties. In January, the Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam visited India. The Southeast Asian country is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy, and as part of the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic relations, several commemorative events are planned.&nbsp;Prime Minister Modi has visited Singapore 5 times since he assumed office in 2014, the last being in 2024, during which a key area of focus was the signing of an MoU on Semiconductor Ecosystem and Skill Development. Singapore is India’s top foreign investor and accounts for about 24% of India’s FDI equity inflows since 2000. Indian investment in Singapore has also grown from S$481 million in 2004 to about S$31.6 billion in 2023.&nbsp;In February 2023, MAS and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) launched a real-time payments system linkage between Singapore’s PayNow and India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI). The linkage allows participating financial institutions to send and receive funds between banks or e-wallets in real time. Singapore has been an active supporter of India’s skills development journey which includes the establishment of five skills centres in India by Singapore’s Institute of Technical Education Services (ITEES). Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Singapore's deputy prime minister Gan Kim Yong is on a Mumbai visit, along with Singapore's transport minister Jeffrey Siow, and visited the PSA port in Navi Mumbai and will visit JNPA and the Capital Land data centre in Thane. 

Singapore's deputy prime minister Gan Kim Yong, who is on an India visit, is expected to announce investments worth over $4bn in four projects in the western state of Maharashtra later today. The minister is on a Mumbai visit, along with Singapore's transport minister Jeffrey Siow, and visited PSA port in Navi Mumbai and will visit JNPA and the Capital Land data centre in Thane. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis joined Singapore's DPM Yong & Transport Min Siow at PSA's new Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal Phase 2. At Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Shipping Minister Sonowal will be there to jointly launch the Maritime Week.

Singapore's deputy prime minister Gan Kim Yong is on a Mumbai visit, along with Singapore's transport minister Jeffrey Siow, and visited the PSA port in Navi Mumbai and will visit JNPA and the Capital Land data centre in Thane.&nbsp;

Singapore to announce over $ 4 billion investments in India today

A woman was taken to hospital when her car plunged into a sinkhole that appeared on Tanjong Katong Road, opposite the One Amber condominium, on July 26. General public have been advised to stay away from the area. On its Facebook page, national water agency, Public Utilities Board (PUB), said the sinkhole had appeared around 5pm at the intersection of Tanjong Katong Road and Mountbatten Road, and near a PUB worksite.&nbsp;The collapse of the road involved two lanes of the road, and one car had slipped into the sinkhole, PUB said. Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC MP Goh Pei Ming said &nbsp;that the female was rescued from the sinkhole with the assistance of nearby workers. She was taken conscious to Raffles Hospital, with the PUB officer accompanying her and her family members, said Goh, in a media interview alongside Mountbatten MP Gho Sze Kee near the sinkhole.&nbsp;Both directions of the affected road have been closed to traffic, with motorists advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes. “Two water mains were damaged in the incident,” PUB said, adding that it was isolating the affected water mains.&nbsp;On Facebook, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu acknowledged that the public, particularly those who reside nearby and work close by, might be worried about the stability of the buildings and roads following the incident. She said she has requested PUB to work with the agencies such as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) to “thoroughly investigate the cause of the sinkhole, and rectify soon.”<h2>See the video here:</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Sinkhole that just appeared in Katong is crazy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/katong?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#katong</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/eastcoast?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#eastcoast</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/singapore?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#singapore</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/sinkhole?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#sinkhole</a> <a href="https://t.co/jpLIygNyLl">pic.twitter.com/jpLIygNyLl</a>&mdash; [King•Of•Nowhere] (@HaggerDarren) <a href="https://twitter.com/HaggerDarren/status/1949085691742175439?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

In a media statement, BCA announced that its engineers have carried out initial inspections of the nearby One Amber condominium and the landed houses facing the road. The tests have ascertained that the buildings are not impacted by the accident.&nbsp;BCA said that "stabilisation works" have started as precaution and to secure the safety of the surrounding buildings and the construction site. “BCA, LTA and PUB are closely monitoring the ongoing repair works and overall safety of the area,” the authority said. &nbsp;The Singapore Civil Defence Force, in a Facebook said it had responded to a road traffic accident along Tanjong Katong Road South at around 5.50pm, and that its units were still present at the scene. In its Facebook post, LTA said it was notified of the incident at about 6.05pm. “The incident is under investigation and our contractors are on site to assist with the repair of the roads,” the authority said.

Watch Car falls into water filled sinkhole in Singapore woman rescued

A woman was taken to hospital when her car plunged into a sinkhole that appeared on Tanjong Katong Road, opposite the One Amber condominium, on July 26. General public have been advised to stay away from the area. On its Facebook page, national water agency, Public Utilities Board (PUB), said the sinkhole had appeared around 5pm at the intersection of Tanjong Katong Road and Mountbatten Road, and near a PUB worksite. The collapse of the road involved two lanes of the road, and one car had slipped into the sinkhole, PUB said. Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC MP Goh Pei Ming said that the female was rescued from the sinkhole with the assistance of nearby workers. She was taken conscious to Raffles Hospital, with the PUB officer accompanying her and her family members, said Goh, in a media interview alongside Mountbatten MP Gho Sze Kee near the sinkhole. Both directions of the affected road have been closed to traffic, with motorists advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes. “Two water mains were damaged in the incident,” PUB said, adding that it was isolating the affected water mains. On Facebook, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu acknowledged that the public, particularly those who reside nearby and work close by, might be worried about the stability of the buildings and roads following the incident. She said she has requested PUB to work with the agencies such as the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and Land Transport Authority (LTA) to “thoroughly investigate the cause of the sinkhole, and rectify soon.” See the video here:

National water agency, Public Utilities Board (PUB), said the sinkhole was formed around 5pm at the intersection of Tanjong Katong Road and Mountbatten Road, and near a PUB worksite

Watch: Car falls into water-filled sinkhole in Singapore, woman rescued

Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his ruling People's Action Party have won a landslide victory in the general elections and are set to form the next government. Watch in for more details!

Singapore elections: People's Action Party retains power; wins 87 out of 97 parliamentary seats

Voters in Singapore head to the polls as the country’s long-ruling party aims for a stronger victory in the 2025 election. The outcome will shape the future of Singapore's political landscape and governance.

Singapore election polls open as ruling party seeks stronger mandate

Singapore is brimming with political activity as the party leaders intensify their poll campaign ahead of the elections on May 3rd.

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Singaporean Prime Minister on Tuesday (Apr 16) announced that Parliament has been dissolved by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at his advice. This was followed by an announcement by the election commission that national elections would take place on May 3.&nbsp;
While the election will be the first electoral test for PM Wong, the sudden announcement of the polls has posed a lot of questions. Analysts say that the move comes amid worries about the cost of living and fears of a recession after reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. They also say that Wong wants to fight the elections, highlighting the global trade turmoil and not the bread-and-butter issues.&nbsp;
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<h2>US tariffs and Singapore elections</h2>
Singapore, a small and open economy whose trade is about three times its gross domestic product, adjusted its GDP growth forecast for 2025 downwards on Monday to between 0 and 2 per cent from 1 to 3 per cent, citing the impact of US &nbsp;tariffs. Singapore, which currently imposes zero tariffs on US imports, is still subject to the baseline 10 per cent rate.
"We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable. The global conditions that enabled Singapore's success over the past decades may no longer hold," Wong said on social media.
"That is why I have called this General Election. At this critical juncture, Singaporeans should decide on the team to lead our nation and to chart our way forward together," his post added.
<iframe width="600" height="auto" style="width: 100%; aspect-ratio: 4/3;" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" class="external-video publive-iframes-block" src="https://cdn.thepublive.com/wion/static/kaltura_player/wion_video_player_iframe.html?thumbnail=wion/media/post_attachments/screenshot/1504_ARJUN_SINGAPORE_8PM/00000002.jpg&amp;videourl=https://vodakm.zeenews.com/vod/WION/1504_ARJUN_SINGAPORE_8PM.mp4/index.m3u8&amp;duration=104&amp;tags=singapore, elections, world news" title="Singapore announces general election on May 3, dissolves parliament" id="PL_iframe_block-m9je7mc1-bbx2rvjz-ehmetvpm"></iframe>
<h2>Issues faced by Singaporeans&nbsp;</h2>
In the past few years, Singapore has been rocked by a series of high-profile scandals, raising frustration among voters already wearied by exorbitant living costs. High costs of living remain one of the top issues for voters as it has become one of the most expensive cities to live in. Overcrowding due to large-scale immigration is another problem faced by Singaporeans. Economic difficulties became worse after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 and the ruling party - the People's Action Party (PAP) - turned to offering cash handouts and social welfare programs to help people cope with their financial woes. Additionally, the ruling party is also facing allegations of restrictions on free speech, media censorship and the use of oppressive laws against dissent. This election will be a litmus test for Wong.
However, Wong seemed to be dismissing the internal problems. In a Facebook post earlier this week, he said, "The biggest contest we face isn't between political parties, it's Singapore vs the world...Our mission... is clear: to keep our nation a shining beacon of stability, progress and hope."
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<h2>On the political front</h2>
The next election has to be called before the legal deadline in November Notably, Singapore celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence in August. The first step towards calling for a early general election came in January when the Wong-led government announced that a committee tasked with setting electoral boundaries has been formed. Analysts told 'This Week In Asia' that the move to create the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) paved the way for an early election.
Wong took over from long-time premier Lee Hsien Loong as leader of the People's Action Party (PAP) in May 2024. Lee's departure marked the end of a political dynasty founded by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore&rsquo;s first prime minister, credited with transforming Singapore into one of the world&rsquo;s wealthiest nations.
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The PAP has won every election in Singapore since its independence in 1965. However, the ruling party's popularity has dimmed in recent elections as the opposition gained more ground in parliament, winning an unprecedented six seats in 2011 and 2015, and 10 in 2020.
Wong has been in election mode since February and delivered what analysts called "a full-blown election budget" with goodies for all Singaporeans ahead of the polls. He has also launched a "Forward Singapore" plan that aims to give Singaporeans a say in how to develop a more balanced, vibrant and inclusive agenda for the next generation, as per report.
The upcoming election will have four more seats compared to the last vote in 2020, with 97 lawmakers elected from 15 single-member electoral divisions and 18 divisions with 4 or 5 members each. Nomination day is on April 23.
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(With inputs from agencies)

World | Singapore has dissolved its parliament and is set to go to the polls on May 3, announced Singaporean Prime Minister  Lawrence Wong. What's behind the sudden move

Singaporean Prime Minister on Tuesday (Apr 16) announced that Parliament has been dissolved by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at his advice. This was followed by an announcement by the election commission that national elections would take place on May 3. While the election will be the first electoral test for PM Wong, the sudden announcement of the polls has posed a lot of questions. Analysts say that the move comes amid worries about the cost of living and fears of a recession after reciprocal tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. They also say that Wong wants to fight the elections, highlighting the global trade turmoil and not the bread-and-butter issues. Read More | Earthquake of magnitude 5.9 rocks Afghanistan, tremors felt in Delhi, Islamabad US tariffs and Singapore elections Singapore, a small and open economy whose trade is about three times its gross domestic product, adjusted its GDP growth forecast for 2025 downwards on Monday to between 0 and 2 per cent from 1 to 3 per cent, citing the impact of US tariffs. Singapore, which currently imposes zero tariffs on US imports, is still subject to the baseline 10 per cent rate. "We are witnessing profound changes in the world. It is becoming more uncertain, unsettled and even unstable. The global conditions that enabled Singapore's success over the past decades may no longer hold," Wong said on social media. "That is why I have called this General Election. At this critical juncture, Singaporeans should decide on the team to lead our nation and to chart our way forward together," his post added. Issues faced by Singaporeans In the past few years, Singapore has been rocked by a series of high-profile scandals, raising frustration among voters already wearied by exorbitant living costs. High costs of living remain one of the top issues for voters as it has become one of the most expensive cities to live in. Overcrowding due to large-scale immigration is another problem faced by Singaporeans. Economic difficulties became worse after the Covid-19 pandemic of 2020 and the ruling party - the People's Action Party (PAP) - turned to offering cash handouts and social welfare programs to help people cope with their financial woes. Additionally, the ruling party is also facing allegations of restrictions on free speech, media censorship and the use of oppressive laws against dissent. This election will be a litmus test for Wong. However, Wong seemed to be dismissing the internal problems. In a Facebook post earlier this week, he said, "The biggest contest we face isn't between political parties, it's Singapore vs the world...Our mission... is clear: to keep our nation a shining beacon of stability, progress and hope." Watch | Woman slaps toll worker 7 times in 4 seconds, video goes viral On the political front The next election has to be called before the legal deadline in November Notably, Singapore celebrates its 60th anniversary of independence in August. The first step towards calling for a early general election came in January when the Wong-led government announced that a committee tasked with setting electoral boundaries has been formed. Analysts told 'This Week In Asia' that the move to create the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) paved the way for an early election. Wong took over from long-time premier Lee Hsien Loong as leader of the People's Action Party (PAP) in May 2024. Lee's departure marked the end of a political dynasty founded by his father, Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore’s first prime minister, credited with transforming Singapore into one of the world’s wealthiest nations. Read More | Harvard library with a link to the Titanic has 92 kilometres of bookshelves The PAP has won every election in Singapore since its independence in 1965. However, the ruling party's popularity has dimmed in recent elections as the opposition gained more ground in parliament, winning an unprecedented six seats in 2011 and 2015, and 10 in 2020. Wong has been in election mode since February and delivered what analysts called "a full-blown election budget" with goodies for all Singaporeans ahead of the polls. He has also launched a "Forward Singapore" plan that aims to give Singaporeans a say in how to develop a more balanced, vibrant and inclusive agenda for the next generation, as per report. The upcoming election will have four more seats compared to the last vote in 2020, with 97 lawmakers elected from 15 single-member electoral divisions and 18 divisions with 4 or 5 members each. Nomination day is on April 23. Read More | Controversial statements by Indian courts on sexual abuse cases: Women say 'sensitisation necessary' (With inputs from agencies)

Why has Singapore dissolved its parliament and called for early election

Singaporeans vote on May 3 in an election that will test Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's leadership, as the wealthy city-state faces a turbulent global economy upended by US tariffs.
This will be the first electoral battle for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) under Wong since he succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, the son of founding premier Lee Kuan Yew, last year after decades of leadership by the Lees.
Parliament was dissolved Tuesday, clearing the way for the vote.
Singapore has long been dominated by the PAP, which is expected to remain in power, but opposition gains are closely watched as a referendum on the government's popularity.
And the upcoming elections come at a precarious time.
The global trading system that supported tiny, trade-reliant Singapore's rapid ascent to prosperity is under severe strain since US President Donald Trump's return to the White House.
Singapore, one of the world's biggest transhipment hubs, finds itself exposed after Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries, disrupting global supply chains and sparking fears of a full-blown trade war with China.
On Monday, Singapore's trade ministry downgraded its economic growth forecast for 2025 to between zero and 2.0 percent from 1.0-3.0 percent.
In a stark warning to parliament last week, Premier Wong declared that the "era of rules-based globalisation and free trade is over".
"We risk being squeezed out, marginalised, and left behind," he said.
Wong, 52, is seeking a firm mandate to steer the country through choppy waters.
It will "strengthen his hand and that of his government in putting in place policies and measures to protect the economy and to negotiate with other countries", said Eugene Tan, associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University.
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<h2><hl2>'Toughest battle'&nbsp;</hl2></h2>
PAP is one of the world's longest-running political parties having been in power since 1959.
But the party's dominance is increasingly being challenged by a more vocal electorate, especially among younger voters who appear open to alternative political voices.
The upcoming elections "may well be the toughest electoral battle for the ruling party", said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with Solaris Strategies Singapore, citing the "unpredictability of ground sentiments and the emergence of a better quality opposition".
Tan of SMU said "millennial and Gen-Z voters are much more receptive... to a credible opposition in parliament".
In 2020, the opposition Workers' Party (WP) made historic gains, winning 10 of the 93 seats at stake -- a significant jump from its previously held four seats.
It is hoping to build on that momentum and is expected to field candidates like Harvard-trained senior counsel Harpreet Singh, 59.
In an interview on the local podcast "Yah Lah BUT", Singh said Singapore could be a "much better and strong country with a more balanced politics".
"We need to have a reset where we treat our critics, people with different ideas, people from outside the system, with more respect and not suspicion."
<h2><hl2>'More political diversity'&nbsp;</hl2></h2>
A total of 97 seats are up for grabs in this election -- four more than in 2020 -- following a redrawing of electoral boundaries that some opposition parties have criticised as gerrymandering.
The majority of the seats will come from a bloc voting system that opposition parties say favours the PAP.
"Depending on how the opposition performs, there is a possibility of an emergence of a one-and-a-half party system -- where the ruling party retains dominance but faces a more substantial check from a strengthened opposition," said Izzuddin.
But he added that fragmentation threatens the opposition votes as smaller parties compete for influence in overlapping areas.
It remains unclear how the economic uncertainty will shape voter behaviour.
While Izzuddin suggested the climate could trigger a "flight-to-safety" move that benefits incumbents, Tan pointed to the 2020 election held amid the global pandemic which saw the opposition gain ground.
Ultimately, the outcome lies on how much Singaporeans wish to have more alternative views in parliament, but still keep the PAP in power.
"The challenge is whether PM Wong can convince Singaporeans that the tariffs war is a significant threat, and that giving the ruling party a secure victory will ultimately benefit Singaporeans -- notwithstanding the desire for more political diversity," said Tan.
The opposition is banking on the growing sentiment, with WP rising star Singh saying that "the best governments are not the ones that have dominant control and are not challenged".
"The best governments are the ones that are pushed to be better," he said. "That's where Singapore needs to go."
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

World: Singapore has long been dominated by the PAP, but opposition gains are closely watched as a referendum on the government's popularity.

Singaporeans vote on May 3 in an election that will test Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's leadership, as the wealthy city-state faces a turbulent global economy upended by US tariffs. This will be the first electoral battle for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) under Wong since he succeeded Lee Hsien Loong, the son of founding premier Lee Kuan Yew, last year after decades of leadership by the Lees. Parliament was dissolved Tuesday, clearing the way for the vote. Singapore has long been dominated by the PAP, which is expected to remain in power, but opposition gains are closely watched as a referendum on the government's popularity. And the upcoming elections come at a precarious time. The global trading system that supported tiny, trade-reliant Singapore's rapid ascent to prosperity is under severe strain since US President Donald Trump's return to the White House. Singapore, one of the world's biggest transhipment hubs, finds itself exposed after Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries, disrupting global supply chains and sparking fears of a full-blown trade war with China. On Monday, Singapore's trade ministry downgraded its economic growth forecast for 2025 to between zero and 2.0 percent from 1.0-3.0 percent. In a stark warning to parliament last week, Premier Wong declared that the "era of rules-based globalisation and free trade is over". "We risk being squeezed out, marginalised, and left behind," he said. Wong, 52, is seeking a firm mandate to steer the country through choppy waters. It will "strengthen his hand and that of his government in putting in place policies and measures to protect the economy and to negotiate with other countries", said Eugene Tan, associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University. Also read: Asian crypto hubs: Hong Kong, Singapore lead, young traders drive India's crypto boom 'Toughest battle' PAP is one of the world's longest-running political parties having been in power since 1959. But the party's dominance is increasingly being challenged by a more vocal electorate, especially among younger voters who appear open to alternative political voices. The upcoming elections "may well be the toughest electoral battle for the ruling party", said Mustafa Izzuddin, a political analyst with Solaris Strategies Singapore, citing the "unpredictability of ground sentiments and the emergence of a better quality opposition". Tan of SMU said "millennial and Gen-Z voters are much more receptive... to a credible opposition in parliament". In 2020, the opposition Workers' Party (WP) made historic gains, winning 10 of the 93 seats at stake -- a significant jump from its previously held four seats. It is hoping to build on that momentum and is expected to field candidates like Harvard-trained senior counsel Harpreet Singh, 59. In an interview on the local podcast "Yah Lah BUT", Singh said Singapore could be a "much better and strong country with a more balanced politics". "We need to have a reset where we treat our critics, people with different ideas, people from outside the system, with more respect and not suspicion." 'More political diversity' A total of 97 seats are up for grabs in this election -- four more than in 2020 -- following a redrawing of electoral boundaries that some opposition parties have criticised as gerrymandering. The majority of the seats will come from a bloc voting system that opposition parties say favours the PAP. "Depending on how the opposition performs, there is a possibility of an emergence of a one-and-a-half party system -- where the ruling party retains dominance but faces a more substantial check from a strengthened opposition," said Izzuddin. But he added that fragmentation threatens the opposition votes as smaller parties compete for influence in overlapping areas. It remains unclear how the economic uncertainty will shape voter behaviour. While Izzuddin suggested the climate could trigger a "flight-to-safety" move that benefits incumbents, Tan pointed to the 2020 election held amid the global pandemic which saw the opposition gain ground. Ultimately, the outcome lies on how much Singaporeans wish to have more alternative views in parliament, but still keep the PAP in power. "The challenge is whether PM Wong can convince Singaporeans that the tariffs war is a significant threat, and that giving the ruling party a secure victory will ultimately benefit Singaporeans -- notwithstanding the desire for more political diversity," said Tan. The opposition is banking on the growing sentiment, with WP rising star Singh saying that "the best governments are not the ones that have dominant control and are not challenged". "The best governments are the ones that are pushed to be better," he said. "That's where Singapore needs to go." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Singapore to hold 'tough' general election on May 3, dissolves parliament

Singapore's general election will be held on May 3, the election commission said in a statement on Tuesday.

Singapore announces general election on May 3, dissolves parliament

Mainland Chinese food chains are rapidly increasing in Singapore and it's changing the local food culture. As Chinese food chains rapidly expand across Singapore, local hawker stalls are feeling the heat. With diners increasingly drawn to trendy, spicy mainland flavors, the question arises—can Singapore’s traditional cuisine hold its ground?

Chinese food chains boom in Singapore: What's cooking for local cuisine?

As Chinese food chains rapidly expand across Singapore, local hawker stalls are feeling the heat. With diners increasingly drawn to trendy, spicy mainland flavors, the question arises—can Singapore’s traditional cuisine hold its ground?

Singapore battles Chinese cuisine boom as local hawker fare faces challenge

Singapore’s tourism industry is taking a new flight path to stay ahead despite rising costs. With world-class attractions, star-studded events, and a focus on experiential travel, the city-state attracts visitors with deep pockets and adventurous spirits alike. But can it maintain its edge as competition heats up across Southeast Asia?

Singapore rethinks tourism strategy amid rising costs

Haldiram’s, India’s leading ethnic snacks company,  

Is set to sell an additional 5 percent stake for around 500 million dollars as part of its pre-IPO placement. 

This comes after Singapore-based Temasek secured a 10 percent stake in the company for 1 billion dollars, valuing Haldiram’s at 10 billion dollars. 

With multiple foreign buyers eyeing a stake in the company, the question is: is Haldiram’s shifting its base?

Temasek takes a ‘bite’ of haldiram's

Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh has been found guilty of lying to parliament, dealing a major blow to his party. Singh faces a maximum sentence of three years behind bars. This ruling could have significant political implications in Singapore.

Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh found guilty of lying to parliament

Here we bring you a quick round-up of all the latest news and top headlines from all across the globe: 

- China, NATO Hold Key Talks On Global Security
- UK PM Pledges Support For Ukraine
- Zelensky Visits Abu Dhabi
- Singapore Opposition Leader In Trouble

NATO assures no Asia expansion, seeks dialogue with China

Singapore's Leader of the Opposition, Pritam Singh, was found guilty by a district court on Monday (Feb 17) of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee. He is facing a maximum sentence of three years behind bars with a fine of up to S$7,000 on each charge.&nbsp;
Singh, 48, the Indian-origin secretary-general of the Workers' Party, faced two counts of giving false answers to a parliamentary committee during an investigation surrounding a lie that a former party legislator had admitted in 2021. He was found guilty on both charges by a district court.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/federal-judge-rules-white-house-defied-court-order-as-trumps-legal-battle-with-judiciary-escalates-8711972">Federal judge rules White House defied court order as Trump&rsquo;s legal battle with judiciary escalates</a>
This comes months ahead of the expected elections in the Southeast Asian nation as the political opposition is seeking to challenge the dominance of the People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled the city-state since 1959.
District Judge Luke Tan, who delivered the verdict, said that Singh did not do enough to get MP Raeesah Khan to admit to her lie in parliament, contrary to what he told the committee.
He also said, giving credence to Khan's testimony, that Singh had told her to &ldquo;take the lie to the grave.&rdquo;
Singh&rsquo;s sentence will determine whether he could stand in the general elections, which are expected to be held before November this year.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/suspended-south-korean-president-yoon-in-court-blames-malicious-opposition-for-martial-law-8710364">Suspended South Korean President Yoon, in court, blames 'malicious' opposition for martial law</a>
Under Singaporean law, any MP can be disqualified from running for election or holding a parliamentary seat for five years if they are jailed for at least a year or fined at least S$10,000 ($7,400).
<h2>Lies and scandal</h2>
Raeesah Khan resigned from the legislature after admitting to lying in parliament in 2021 about a female rape victim she accompanied to make a police report.
The former MP confessed that she lied when telling parliament that a police officer had made &ldquo;insensitive comments&rdquo; about the way the alleged victim was dressed and she had consumed alcohol.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/singapore-prez-tharman-to-visit-india-from-14th-to-18th-january-8608590">Singapore Prez Tharman to visit India from 14th to 18th January</a>
However, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam denied any such record of the incident and Khan confessed to lying about the story.&nbsp;
Singh was accused of covering up the lie to the parliamentary committee investigating Khan. He allegedly said that he was not aware that Khan&rsquo;s story was not true in an attempt to downplay his responsibility as party leader, according to court documents.
(With inputs from agencies)

World | Pritam Singh, secretary-general of the Workers' Party, faced two counts of giving false answers to a parliamentary committee during an investigation surrounding a lie a former party legislator admitted in 2021.

Singapore's Leader of the Opposition, Pritam Singh, was found guilty by a district court on Monday (Feb 17) of lying under oath to a parliamentary committee. He is facing a maximum sentence of three years behind bars with a fine of up to S$7,000 on each charge. Singh, 48, the Indian-origin secretary-general of the Workers' Party, faced two counts of giving false answers to a parliamentary committee during an investigation surrounding a lie that a former party legislator had admitted in 2021. He was found guilty on both charges by a district court. Also read | Federal judge rules White House defied court order as Trump’s legal battle with judiciary escalates This comes months ahead of the expected elections in the Southeast Asian nation as the political opposition is seeking to challenge the dominance of the People's Action Party (PAP), which has ruled the city-state since 1959. District Judge Luke Tan, who delivered the verdict, said that Singh did not do enough to get MP Raeesah Khan to admit to her lie in parliament, contrary to what he told the committee. He also said, giving credence to Khan's testimony, that Singh had told her to “take the lie to the grave.” Singh’s sentence will determine whether he could stand in the general elections, which are expected to be held before November this year. Also read | Suspended South Korean President Yoon, in court, blames 'malicious' opposition for martial law Under Singaporean law, any MP can be disqualified from running for election or holding a parliamentary seat for five years if they are jailed for at least a year or fined at least S$10,000 ($7,400). Lies and scandal Raeesah Khan resigned from the legislature after admitting to lying in parliament in 2021 about a female rape victim she accompanied to make a police report. The former MP confessed that she lied when telling parliament that a police officer had made “insensitive comments” about the way the alleged victim was dressed and she had consumed alcohol. Also read | Singapore Prez Tharman to visit India from 14th to 18th January However, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam denied any such record of the incident and Khan confessed to lying about the story. Singh was accused of covering up the lie to the parliamentary committee investigating Khan. He allegedly said that he was not aware that Khan’s story was not true in an attempt to downplay his responsibility as party leader, according to court documents. (With inputs from agencies)

Singapore opposition leader Pritam Singh found guilty of covering up lie

Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam will make a State Visit to India from 14 to 18 January 2025, at the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu. Watch this report for more details!

Singapore President To Visit India From Jan 14-18, Pacts On Table | World DNA | WION

Singapore President Tharman to visit India from January 14-18

The leaders of Singapore and Malaysia formally agreed to construct a special economic zone that would connect their border regions. This is to attract over 50 projects within the first five years of its inception and about 100 in the next decade. Tuesday saw the official opening of the Johor Economic Zone by Prime Ministers Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia and Lawrence Wong of Singapore. Johor is located in southern Malaysia and shares one of the busiest border crossings in the world with Singapore.

Singapore, Malaysia Ink Deal Creating New Vast Economic Zone

Singapore stocks are on track for a record high as newfound optimism around the state's banks boosts the entire market. Singapore banking stocks have been driving the recent surge. This is larged due to bets that lenders can keep making money even as interest rates are expected to go down.

Singapore Benchmark on Track to Close Above Record Set in 2007

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