2001 Singaporean general election

none July 2014 July 2014 Singapore parliamentary 1997 Singaporean general election 1997 9th Parliament of Singapore 2006 Singaporean general election 2006 10th Parliament of Singapore All 84 directly elected seats in Parliament (and up to 3 NCMPs) 3 November 2001 2,036,923RV 94.61% ( 1.30pp) 130x130px GohChokTong-WashingtonDC-20010614.jpg Goh Chok Tong People's Action Party 64.98%, 81 seats 82 1 470,765 75.29% 10.31pp ChiamSeeTong-SDARally-20060502.jpg Chiam See Tong Singapore Democratic Alliance – 2 New 75,248 12.03% New Low Thia Khiang 4 (3x4 cropped).jpg Low Thia Khiang Workers' Party of Singapore 14.17%, 2 seats 1 1 19,060 3.05% 11.12pp Map of the results of the 2001 Singaporean general election.svg Results by constituency Prime Minister Prime Minister after election Goh Chok Tong Goh Chok Tong People's Action Party People's Action Party Marine Parade GRC Potong Pasir SMC Hougang SMC General elections were held in Singapore on 3 November 2001 to elect members of Parliament. They were the eleventh general elections since the introduction of self-government in 1959 and the ninth since independence in 1965. The number of parliamentary seats increased from 83 to 84 following adjustments to electoral boundaries. With 55 seats won uncontested by the People's Action Party (PAP) on nomination day, the outcome of the elections was effectively determined before polling day for the third consecutive election. The ruling PAP secured a landslide victory and retained its supermajority by winning all but two of the 84 parliamentary seats, while also increasing its popular vote share for the second consecutive election to 75.29%, its strongest showing since the 1980 election. The only opposition candidates elected were Chiam See Tong of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), who retained his seat in Potong Pasir SMC, and Low Thia Khiang of the Workers' Party (WP), who retained his seat in Hougang SMC. As the opposition secured two elected seats, one Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seat was offered to Steve Chia of the SDA in Chua Chu Kang SMC, who was the best-performing losing opposition candidate. He accepted the seat. This was Goh Chok Tong's last election as prime minister before he handed over to deputy prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the son of Lee Kuan Yew, in 2004. Voter turnout in contested constituencies stood at 94.61%, slightly lower from the preceding general election. This election was the first in which the total eligible voter population exceeded 2 million, although only one third of them (675,306 of the 2,036,923 eligible voters) were able to vote due to the large number of walkovers. As of 2025, it remains the most recent general election in which the PAP returned to power on nomination day, as well as the leading opposition party represented in Parliament not being WP. Background 9th Parliament of Singapore A seat in Jalan Besar GRC was vacated in 1999 following the conviction of People's Action Party (PAP) MP Choo Wee Khiang for cheating. However, no by-election was held, as the vacancy occurred within a group representation constituency (GRC). The responsibilities of Choo's division were instead redistributed among the remaining MPs in the GRC. Under Singapore law, a by-election can only be called in a GRC if all of its seats are vacated. The last instance of this occurring was the Marine Parade GRC by-election in 1992. Global situation The ruling PAP government led by prime minister Goh Chok Tong had initially planned to hold the election as scheduled in 2002. However, it was brought forward after Singapore experienced an economic slowdown linked to the lingering effects of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, the dot-com bubble and the early 2000s recession, which were further worsened by the September 11 attacks in the United States. The 2001 election had the shortest election period in Singapore's history, lasting only 17 days from the release of the electoral boundaries report and the certification of the registers of electors towards polling day. Seeking to renew his mandate swiftly, Goh aimed to secure public confidence amid the downturn. Effects of the September 11 attacks Earlier on 15 May, five months before the election, the legislature passed a bill to amend the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Act 2001, allowing voting in overseas for the first time.By the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Act 2001 (No. 19 of 2001 https://web.archive.org/web/20140505231042/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId%3Aa5b32ed0-bcf4-4640-9cdf-633d6f527467%20Depth%3A0%20ValidTime%3A15%2F05%2F2001%20TransactionTime%3A15%2F05%2F2001%20Status%3Apublished;rec=0;whole=yes 5 May 2014 ) which, according to the Parliamentary Elections (Amendment) Act (Commencement) Notification 2001 (S 272/2001 https://web.archive.org/web/20160806234004/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId%3Add932571-2a0f-4ec0-bd94-e67603b40950%20Depth%3A0%20ValidTime%3A15%2F05%2F2001%20TransactionTime%3A15%2F05%2F2001%20Status%3Ainforce;rec=0;whole=yes 6 August 2016 ) The 2001 elections could've marked the first time overseas voters are allowed to cast their ballots; however, Elections Department announced that the overseas voting and lunchtime rallies will both be cancelled per security concerns, though campaigning in the evening will not be affected. Additional security measures will also apply during campaigning and polling day. Media Release – Election Meeting Sites 27 April 2006 Singapore Police Force http://www.spf.gov.sg/mediarelease/2006/2006.htm# 28 April 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20060619102857/http://www.spf.gov.sg/mediarelease/2006/2006.htm 19 June 2006 deadParliamentary Elections (Temporary Suspension of Overseas Voting) Act 2001 https://www.eld.gov.sg/gazettes/2001/01A36-%20Temp%20Suspension%20of%20OV_45%20of%202001.pdf#zoom=100 ELD 29 August 2026 As also a result of the economic shifts and inflation, the election deposit was raised sharply by S$5,000 from $8,000 to $13,000, marking one of the largest increases to date.Peter M. Manikas Keith Jennings The Political Process and the 2001 Parliamentary Elections in Singapore https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/1326_sgp_2001parlelect_5.pdf ndi.org National Democratic Institute 5 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20191204064048/https://www.ndi.org/sites/default/files/1326_sgp_2001parlelect_5.pdf 4 December 2019 November 2001 The maximum amount for candidates in terms of campaigning expenses per voter was also raised from $2.50 to $3.Parliamentary Elections Act (Amendment of Third Schedule) Order 2001 https://www.eld.gov.sg/gazettes/2001/01S523-Amend%20to%20Third%20Sch%20Order(E-Expenses).pdf#zoom=100 ELD 29 August 2026 Non-PAP political parties Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) For the first time since the 1963 election, a formal opposition coalition was formed. Known as the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), comprised four parties: the leading Singapore People's Party (SPP), the National Solidarity Party (NSP), the Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura (PKMS) and the Singapore Justice Party (SJP). It was led by SPP secretary-general Chiam See Tong. The SDA fielded 13 candidates in the election, with the NSP contributing nine, the SPP four and the PKMS providing the required Malay minority candidate. All but one of their contests were straight fights; the sole exception being Bukit Timah SMC, which saw the only three-cornered contest of the election involving the SDA and an independent candidate. According to the SDA, four other opposition parties declined invitations to join the coalition, including the more established Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the Workers' Party (WP). The other two were the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Singapore National Front (SNF), the latter of which had not yet contested any election since its founding in 1991. Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) fielded 11 candidates across three constituencies. Its secretary-general Chee Soon Juan and his sister, Chee Siok Chin, led the party's team in the newly created Jurong GRC. Former MPs Cheo Chai Chen (Nee Soon Central SMC) and Ling How Doong (Bukit Gombak SMC), both of whom had served in the 8th Parliament after being elected in the 1991 election, contested in Hong Kah GRC and Nee Soon Central SMC respectively in an effort to return to Parliament. Workers' Party (WP) Former Workers' Party (WP) Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, who lost his seat in July 2001 after being declared bankrupt following defamation lawsuits filed by PAP leaders, resigned from the party citing disagreements with its current leadership. The party's only MP, Low Thia Khiang, subsequently assumed the position of secretary-general. On nomination day, the WP was successfully nominated in only two constituencies, Hougang SMC and Nee Soon East SMC.Taken at: Workers' Party (WP) election rally at the open ... https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/photographs/record-details/5694e02c-1162-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad www.nas.gov.sg 31 May 2025 Its proposed team for Aljunied GRC, comprising chairman Tan Bin Seng, second vice-chairman Huang Seow Kwang (both of whom had contested in Cheng San GRC in 1997) and new members Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, James Gomez and Yaw Shin Leong, was disqualified for submitting incomplete nomination papers.26 October 2001 Opposition bungles – two strategic mistakes may cost them https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/today20011026-1.1.2 7 July 2025 NewspaperSGPRESS RELEASE STATEMENT BY RETURNING OFFICER Rejection Of Workers' Party Nomination Papers At Poi Ching Nomination Centre https://www.eld.gov.sg/press/2001/Statement%20by%20RO.pdf#zoom=100 ELD.gov.sg 23 February 2026 Low described the Aljunied team's disqualification as an "oversight" and accepted responsibility for the error. Plans to contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC, East Coast GRC and Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC were also later withdrawn after the party's teams failed to appear at their respective nomination centres, and as a result, the election marked the fewest number of seats contested by the WP in over three decades since the 1968 election, when the party also fielded candidates in only two constituencies during a period when most opposition parties boycotted the polls.NewspaperSG Today 26 October 2001 https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/page/today20011026-1.1.2 16 May 2025 Timeline Date Event 17 October Publication of Electoral Boundaries report; Certification of Registers of Electors 18 October Dissolution of 9th Parliament; Writ of Election issued 25 October Nomination Day 26 October to 2 November Campaigning Period 3 November Polling Day 25 March 2002 Opening of 10th Parliament Electoral boundaries List of Singaporean electoral divisions (2001–06) The report of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) for the 2001 general election was published on 17 October 2001, only a day before the dissolution of Parliament. The 10th Parliament was to return 84 elected Members of Parliament, comprising nine single member constituencies (SMCs), nine five-member group representation constituencies (GRCs) and five six-member GRCs, with all previous four-member GRCs eliminated. The election saw the introduction of Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC, Jurong GRC (restructured from most of Bukit Timah GRC, with Bukit Timah itself restored as an SMC) and Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC (renamed from Pasir Ris GRC and expanded to include the Punggol and Sengkang areas from the dissolved Cheng San GRC). Bukit Timah GRC, Cheng San GRC and Kreta Ayer–Tanglin GRC were dissolved and their divisions reorganised into new constituencies. Two SMCs, Bukit Timah and Joo Chiat, were reinstated, while Boon Lay, Bukit Gombak and Kampong Glam were absorbed into neighbouring GRCs. For the first time, certain GRCs retained their exact boundaries from the previous election; specifically Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC and Marine Parade GRC, a pattern that has since recurred in subsequent elections. Constituency Changes Aljunied GRC Absorbed the southern Punggol divisions from Cheng San GRC, and Lorong Halus area/Paya Lebar Air Base from Pasir Ris GRCKampong Kembangan division was split into Aljunied-Kembangan and Kembangan-Punggol divisions (the latter absorbed with Punggol East from Cheng San GRC), while Punggol South division was renamed to Aljunied–HougangCarved out Changi-Simei division to East Coast GRC and Aljunied division to Marine Parade GRC Ang Mo Kio GRC Ward upsized to six membersAbsorbed Cheng San and Jalan Kayu divisions from Cheng San GRCAng Mo Kio division was absorbed into Yio Chu Kang and Teck Ghee divisions East Coast GRC Absorbed Changi-Simei division from Aljunied GRCCarved out Joo Chiat division into SMC Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC New ConstituencyFormed with Ulu Pandan, Bukit Panjang and Buona Vista divisions from Bukit Timah GRC, Sembawang GRC and Tanjong Pagar GRC, respectivelyBukit Panjang divisions was split to include Cashew and Zhenghua divisions, while some of Zhenghua division was split from Tanglin division Hong Kah GRC Absorbed Bukit Gombak SMC, and a portion of Chua Chu Kang SMC (to form Keat Hong division)Carved out Hong Kah East division to Jurong GRCHong Kah West was merged into Nanyang division Jalan Besar GRC Ward upsized to five membersAbsorbed Kampong Glam SMC, Kreta Ayer and Kim Seng divisions (which would merge into Kreta Ayer–Kim Seng division) from Kreta Ayer–Tanglin GRCGeylang West division was absorbed into Kolam Ayer and Jalan Besar divisions Jurong GRC New ConstituencyFormed from a majority of Bukit Timah GRC (except for Bukit Timah division, which carved into SMC), and Hong Kah East division from Hong Kah GRC Jurong division was split into Pioneer and Taman Jurong divisions, while Bukit Batok East division was formed from portions of Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak & Bukit Timah divisions Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC New ConstituencyFormed from Pasir Ris GRC (except for the Pasir Ris South division, which was absorbed into Tampines GRC) and northern Punggol divisions of Cheng San GRC (Punggol Central, North and South) Sembawang GRC Carved out Nee Soon East division into SMC, and Bukit Panjang division into Holland–Bukit Panjang GRCSembawang and Woodlands division were split to include Canberra and Admiralty divisions respectively Tampines GRC Ward upsized to five membersAbsorbed Pasir Ris South division from Pasir Ris GRC (renamed to Tampines North) Tanjong Pagar GRC Absorbed Moulmein and Tanglin (renamed to Tanglin-Cairnhill) divisions from Kreta Ayer–Tanglin GRCCarved out Buona Vista division to Holland–Bukit Panjang GRCLeng Kee division was absorbed into Queenstown, Radin Mas and Tanglin-Cairnhill divisions West Coast GRC Ward upsized to five membersAbsorbed Boon Lay SMC and some of Bukit Timah GRC (Jurong, Joo Koon, Gul Circle and Tuas)Pasir Panjang division was dissolved into Telok Blangah and West Coast divisions Nomination centres Following the issuance of the Writ of Election, nine schools and one public building, for a total of ten, were designated as nomination centres:Writ of Election 2001 https://www.eld.gov.sg/gazettes/2001/2001%20Writ.pdf#zoom=100 20 October 2026 Nomination centre Electoral division(s) Fuhua Primary School Bukit Timah SMC Hong Kah GRCM Jurong GRCM Greenwood Primary School Nee Soon Central SMC Nee Soon East SMC Sembawang GRCIO Kent Ridge Secondary School Ayer Rajah SMCM West Coast GRCIO Ngee Ann Primary School MacPherson SMC Marine Parade GRCM Potong Pasir SMC Poi Ching School Aljunied GRCM Tampines GRCM Singapore Conference Hall Jalan Besar GRCM Tanjong Pagar GRCIO Temasek Primary School East Coast GRCM Joo Chiat SMC Townsville Primary School Ang Mo Kio GRCIO Bishan-Toa Payoh GRCIO West View Primary School Chua Chu Kang SMC Holland-Bukit Panjang GRCIO White Sands Primary School Hougang SMC Pasir Ris-Punggol GRCM A M indicates a GRC requires a Malay/Muslim minority candidate, while IO indicates a GRC requires an Indian or other minority candidate. As of the latest 2025 election, this was the last known instance where a public building was used as a designated nomination center; subsequent elections would continue to use nine schools as nomination centers. MPs not standing for re-election 24 incumbent MPs retired before the election was announced, which include Bernard Chen, Richard Hu, Ker Sin Tze and Aline Wong; according to Hu, he had originally planned to stand for Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC but ultimately did not do so. MP Party ConstituencyElected inBernard ChenPAPWest Coast GRC1977Kenneth ChenPAPHong Kah GRC1991Peter ChenPAPHong Kah GRC1997Chng Hee KokPAPEast Coast GRC1984Goh Chee WeePAPBoon Lay SMC1980Goh Choon KangPAPMarine Parade GRC1984Harun Abdul GhaniPAPHong Kah GRC1991Heng Chiang MengPAPCheng San GRC1984Ho Tat KinPAPBishan–Toa Payoh GRC1984Richard HuPAPKreta Ayer–Tanglin GRC1984Ibrahim OthmanPAPBishan–Toa Payoh GRC1984Ker Sin TzePAPAljunied GRC1991Lew Syn PauPAPKreta Ayer–Tanglin GRC1988Ow Chin HockPAPTanjong Pagar GRC1976Peh Chin HuaPAPJalan Besar GRC1988Sidek SaniffPAPAljunied GRC1976R. SinnakaruppanPAPKreta Ayer–Tanglin GRC1991Tang Guan SengPAPAng Mo Kio GRC1984Toh See KiatPAPAljunied GRC1997S. VasooPAPTanjong Pagar GRC1984Wan Soon BeePAPWest Coast GRC1980Aline WongPAPTampines GRC1984Eugene YapPAPMarine Parade GRC1979 New candidates A total of 40 candidates made their political debut in 2001, including 25 from the PAP. Notable newcomers included future Presidents Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Halimah Yacob"Halimah" Halimah Yacob earlier made a minor political debut in the 1993 Singaporean presidential election as among one of the six assentors to eventual President-elect Ong Teng Cheong.The role of Singapore's Elected President YouTube 21 August 2023 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1_lGdqoK3g&t=503s 22 August 2023 en (both who also stood in Jurong GRC), future cabinet ministers Gan Kim Yong, Indranee Rajah, Maliki Osman, as well as Balaji Sadasivan, Khaw Boon Wan, Raymond Lim, Ng Eng Hen and Vivian Balakrishnan, who were dubbed by the PAP as the "super seven" alongside Shanmugaratnam and backbencher Cedric Foo.Crop of new office-holders largest since 2001; reshuffle provides for minority succession in Cabinet https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/new-crop-of-office-holders-largest-since-2001-reshuffle-provides-for-minority-succession-in-cabinet The Straits Times 1 May 2026 en 22 May 2025 Among the 15 new opposition candidates were Chee Siok Chin, sister of SDP leader Chee Soon Juan; Desmond Lim, who would later head the SDA; and Ooi Boon Ewe, who went on to become a perennial candidate in subsequent elections. New candidate Party ConstituencyAhmad Khalis Abdul GhaniPAPHong Kah GRCBalaji SadasivanPAPAng Mo Kio GRCChee Siok ChinSDPJurong GRCChong Weng ChiewPAPTanjong Pagar GRCArthur FongPAPWest Coast GRCFong Chin LeongSDAJalan Besar GRCCedric FooPAPWest Coast GRCFoo Kok WahSDATampines GRCGan Kim YongPAPHolland–Bukit Panjang GRCHalimah YacobPAPJurong GRCHo Geok ChooPAPWest Coast GRCIndranee RajahPAPTanjong Pagar GRCKhaw Boon WanPAPTanjong Pagar GRCAmy KhorPAPHong Kah GRCWarren LeePAPSembawang GRCArthero LimSDPHong Kah GRCBryan LimSDPHong Kah GRCDesmond LimSDAJalan Besar GRCRaymond LimPAPEast Coast GRCEric LowPAPHougang SMCPenny LowPAPPasir Ris–Punggol GRCMaliki OsmanPAPSembawang GRCMohamed Isa Abdul AzizSDPJurong GRCMohd Rahizan YaacobSDAJalan Besar GRCNg Eng HenPAPBishan–Toa Payoh GRCIrene NgPAPTampines GRCNg Kee HowSDAJalan Besar GRCOng Seh HongPAPAljunied GRCOoi Boon EweIndependentJoo Chiat SMCCynthia PhuaPAPAljunied GRCPoh Lee GuanWPNee Soon East SMCSitoh Yih PinPAPPotong Pasir SMCTan Kim ChuangIndependentBukit Timah SMCSebastian TeoSDATampines GRCTharman ShanmugaratnamPAPJurong GRCTong Meng ChyeSDABukit Timah SMCVivian BalakrishnanPAPHolland–Bukit Panjang GRCVincent YeoSDPJurong GRCWee Siew KimPAPAng Mo Kio GRCZainudin NordinPAPBishan–Toa Payoh GRC Results The PAP won a landslide victory, marking its best performance since 1980 and its third highest result since it first gained power in 1959. The PAP secured 75.29% of the vote, reflecting strong public support for its leadership during a period of global uncertainty and economic recession. However, this election also recorded the highest number of walkovers since 1968, reflecting the opposition's unwillingness to mount a serious challenge against the PAP that year. Chong Weng Chiew and Penny Low of the PAP became the first MPs born in post-independence Singapore. At the time, political apathy among Singaporeans towards a stronger opposition presence in Parliament appeared to be high, with only 29 out of 84 seats contested and the opposition narrowly winning just two of them. While the opposition-held constituencies of Hougang and Potong Pasir from the previous election were retained, both saw reduced majorities, each garnering less than 55% of the vote for the WP and the SDA respectively. The outcome raised concerns that an all-PAP elected Parliament and an "opposition wipeout" for the first time since 1980, which was the PAP's justification of introducing the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme in 1984, was a distinct possibility. With two opposition seats in Parliament, a NCMP seat was offered to and accepted by Steve Chia of the SDA, making him the first NCMP since the scheme's introduction to not be from the WP. Two candidates, Tan Kim Chuang and Tan Lead Shake, forfeited their $13,000 election deposits. The latter was involved in a straight fight in which Tan Cheng Bock recorded the election's highest contested result of 87.96% in Ayer Rajah SMC. right Popular vote PAP 75.29 People's Action Party SDA 12.03 Singapore Democratic Alliance SDP 8.09 Singapore Democratic Party WP 3.05 Workers' Party (Singapore) Others 1.53 grey right Elected seats won 55 seats (PAP; uncontested) 65.48 cyan 27 seats (PAP; contested) 32.14 People's Action Party 1 seat (SDA) 1.19 Singapore Democratic Alliance 1 seat (WP) 1.19 Workers' Party (Singapore) People's Action Party 470765 +10.31 82 +1 Singapore Democratic Alliance 75248 +2.95 2 +1 Singapore Democratic Party 50607 –2.53 0 0 Workers' Party 19060 –11.12 1 0 Democratic Progressive Party +0.15 5334 0 0 Independents 4253 +0.23 0 0 13636 +1 2036923 94.61 Singapore ElectionsRV 1,361,617 of the 2,036,923 voters were registered in uncontested constituencies, leaving 675,306 voters able to vote. Opposition parties contested vote Party Votes #DDD 500px 400px WP Workers' Party (Singapore) 34.29 SDA Singapore Democratic Alliance 27.61 SDP Singapore Democratic Party 20.36 DPP Democratic Progressive Party (Singapore) 14.33 Independents Independent 9.85 By constituency +ConstituencySeatsElectoratePartyCandidatesVotes%Aljunied GRC5125,115People's Action PartyOng Seh HongCynthia PhuaYeo Guat KwangGeorge YeoZainul AbidinUncontested Ang Mo Kio GRC6166,644People's Action PartyInderjit SinghLee Hsien LoongBalaji SadasivanSeng Han ThongTan Boon WanWee Siew KimUncontested Ayer Rajah SMC118,475People's Action PartyTan Cheng Bock15,02487.96Democratic Progressive PartyTan Lead Shake2,05712.04Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC5114,621People's Action PartyDavinder SinghLeong Horn KeeNg Eng HenWong Kan SengZainudin NordinUncontested Bukit Timah SMC126,951People's Action PartyWang Kai Yuen19,12177.37Singapore Democratic AllianceTong Meng Chye4,37617.71IndependentTan Kim Chuang1,2154.92Chua Chu Kang SMC124,863People's Action PartyLow Seow Chay15,34965.34Singapore Democratic AllianceSteve ChiaElected as NCMP.8,14334.66East Coast GRC6144,012People's Action PartyAbdullah TarmugiChew Heng ChingLee Yock SuanRaymond LimS. JayakumarTan Soo KhoonUncontested Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC5118,834People's Action PartyGan Kim YongLim Swee SayDavid LimTeo Ho PinVivian BalakrishnanUncontested Hong Kah GRC5129,073People's Action PartyAhmad Khalis Abdul GhaniAng Mong SengJohn ChenAmy KhorYeo Cheow Tong96,45079.74Singapore Democratic PartyCheo Chai ChenBryan LimLim Tung HeeSarry HassanWong Hong Toy24,51320.26Hougang SMC123,320Workers' PartyLow Thia Khiang12,07054.98People's Action PartyEric Low9,88245.02Jalan Besar GRC5100,268People's Action PartyHeng Chee HowLee Boon YangLoh Meng SeeLily NeoYaacob Ibrahim68,30974.48Singapore Democratic AllianceFong Chin LeongLim Bak ChuanMohd Rahizan YaacobNg Kee HowSin Kek Tong23,39125.51Joo Chiat SMC121,745People's Action PartyChan Soo Sen15,42683.55IndependentOoi Boon Ewe3,03816.45Jurong GRC5115,113People's Action PartyFoo Yee ShoonHalimah YacobLim Boon HengOng Chit ChungTharman Shanmugaratnam84,74279.75Singapore Democratic PartyChee Siok ChinChee Soon JuanGandhi AmbalamMohamed Isa Abdul AzizVincent Yeo21,51120.25MacPherson SMC122,010People's Action PartyMatthias Yao16,87083.73Democratic Progressive PartyTan Soo Phuan3,27716.27Marine Parade GRC6140,174People's Action PartyGan Lai ChiangGoh Chok TongMohamad Maidin PackerOthman Haron EusofeR RavindranLim Hwee HuaUncontested Nee Soon Central SMC122,975People's Action PartyOng Ah Heng16,75578.52Singapore Democratic PartyLing How Doong4,58321.48Nee Soon East SMC128,465People's Action PartyHo Peng Kee19,56673.68Workers' PartyPoh Lee Guan6,99026.32Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC5134,151People's Action PartyAhmad MagadCharles ChongMichael LimPenny LowTeo Chee HeanUncontested Potong Pasir SMC116,616Singapore Democratic AllianceChiam See Tong8,10752.43People's Action PartySitoh Yih Pin7,35647.57Sembawang GRC6166,137People's Action PartyChin Tet YungHawazi DaipiK. ShanmugamWarren Lee Maliki OsmanTony TanUncontested Tampines GRC5125,432People's Action PartyMah Bow TanIrene NgOng Kian MinSin Boon AnnYatiman Yusof85,91573.34Singapore Democratic AllianceAbdul Rahim OsmanFoo Kok WahNeo Ting WeiSebastian Teo Yip Yew Weng31,23126.66Tanjong Pagar GRC6141,150People's Action PartyChay Wai ChuenChong Weng ChiewIndranee RajahKhaw Boon WanKoo Tsai KeeLee Kuan YewUncontested West Coast GRC5110,779People's Action PartyArthur FongCedric FooHo Geok ChooLim Hng KiangS. IswaranUncontested Source: ELD By Community Development Council The 2001 election was the first election with a unified format with five CDCs that have been used till this day. The South West CDC have the most number of candidates fielded in the election, with West Coast GRC being the only constituency for the CDC to be elected as a walkover; nonetheless, South West had the highest contested vote share by CDC. While only one constituency in the Central Singapore CDC had a contest, which is Jalan Besar GRC, the CDC with the fewest contested seats was the North West CDC, with only two, while South East CDC had the next fewest number of seats being contested, with three. The lowest-scoring CDC this election was the North East CDC, being the only CDC polling under 70% of the PAP contested vote. It was the only election where Potong Pasir SMC would be redistricted in the South East CDC, before being redistricted to the Central CDC starting in the next election. Of the opposition vote share, the other parties outside the largest opposition SDA contributed a combined 12.68% of the overall popular vote, in contrast with SDA's 12.03%. Votes polled DistrictPAPSDASDPOthersCentral 74.49% 25.51%Northeast 68.87% 22.45% 8.68%Northwest 75.84% 9.57% 14.59%Southeast 73.33% 14.99% 11.68%Southwest 78.87% 4.28% 15.73% 1.12%TOTAL 75.29% 12.03% 8.09% 4.58% Seats won DistrictSeatsPAPSDASDPOthersCentral22 22 0Northeast16 15 0 1Northwest13 13 0 0Southeast14 13 1 0Southwest18 18 0 0 0TOTAL84 82 1 0 1 Analysis Top five best PAP performers Constituencies with no comparison to 1997 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election. # Constituency People's Action Party Opposition Votes % Swing Votes % Swing1Ayer Rajah SMC15,02487.9614.79Democratic Progressive Party 2,05712.0414.792MacPherson SMC16,87083.7318.59Democratic Progressive Party3,27716.2718.593Joo Chiat SMC15,42683.55NewIndependent 3,03816.45New4Jurong GRC84,74279.75NewSingapore Democratic Party 21,51120.25New5Hong Kah GRC96,45079.7410.74Singapore Democratic Party 24,51320.2610.74 Top five best opposition performers Constituencies with no comparison to 1997 were either due to them being new constituencies or the constituencies experiencing walkovers in the last election. Constituency Opposition People's Action Party Votes % Swing Votes % Swing1Hougang SMCWorkers' Party12,07054.98 3.049,88245.02 3.042Potong Pasir SMCSingapore Democratic Alliance8,10752.43 2.727,35647.57 2.723Chua Chu Kang SMCSingapore Democratic Alliance8,14334.66 3.4215,34965.34 3.424Tampines GRCSingapore Democratic Alliance31,23126.66Walkover85,91573.34Walkover5Nee Soon East SMCWorkers' Party6,99026.32 New19,56673.68New Top five Vote Swings Only the following constituencies may be compared with 1997 results as they existed in both elections, although most had changes in their electoral boundaries. Constituency People's Action Party Opposition 1997 % 2001 % Swing Party contesting 1997 % 2001 % Swing1MacPherson SMC 65.14% 83.73% 18.59% Democratic Progressive Party 34.86% 12.27% 18.59%2Nee Soon Central SMC 61.33% 78.52% 17.19% Singapore Democratic Party 38.67% 21.48% 17.19%3Ayer Rajah SMC 73.17% 87.96% 14.79% Democratic Progressive Party 26.83% 12.04% 14.79%4Hong Kah GRC 69.00% 79.74% 10.74% Singapore Democratic Party 31.00% 20.26% 10.74% 5Jalan Besar GRC 67.55% 74.48% 6.93% Singapore Democratic Alliance 32.45% 25.52% 6.93% Aftermath Chee–Goh hawker centre incident During the campaigning period on 28 October, SDP leader Chee Soon Juan drew widespread public attention after an encounter with Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong at a hawker centre in Hong Kah. Using a megaphone, Chee shouted at Goh, "Where is the $17 billion that you have lent to Suharto?" Later that day at an election rally in Nee Soon Central, Chee referenced Lee Kuan Yew, who was serving as Senior Minister at the time. He concluded his speech with: "...I want to ask Mr Lee Kuan Yew ... So Mr Lee Kuan Yew, I challenge you, tell us about the $17 billion you loaned to Suharto." In the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Singapore provided substantial financial assistance to Indonesia through billions of dollars in loans to stabilise the struggling Indonesian economy, with the country also seeing increasing civil unrest. The Singaporean government considered these loans necessary, as an unstable Indonesia was viewed as potentially having serious negative repercussions for Singapore.Thomas Fuller Singapore, Bypassing IMF, Pledges $10 Billion to Indonesia https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/29/business/worldbusiness/IHT-singapore-bypassing-imf-pledges-10-billion-to.html nytimes.com The New York Times 11 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20210709051514/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/10/29/business/worldbusiness/IHT-singapore-bypassing-imf-pledges-10-billion-to.html 9 July 2021 29 October 1997 subscription Goh and Lee later filed defamation suits against Chee shortly after the election. Chee lost the lawsuit in 2002 as well as his appeals in 2003 and was ordered to pay damages of S$300,000 to Goh and S$200,000 to Lee. Ahead of the 2006 general election, Chee was declared bankrupt on 10 February, rendering him ineligible to contest. He eventually returned to electoral politics in 2015 after being discharged from bankruptcy in 2012.Lee Kuan Yew v Chee Soon Juan [2003] SGHC 78 https://www.elitigation.sg/gd/s/2003_SGHC_78 elitigation.sg Integrated Electronic Litigation System of the judicial system of Singapore 11 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251011120838/https://www.elitigation.sg/gd/s/2003_SGHC_78 11 October 2025 High Court of Singapore 4 April 2003Goh Chok Tong v Chee Soon Juan [2003] SGHC 79 https://www.elitigation.sg/gd/s/2003_SGHC_79 elitigation.sg Integrated Electronic Litigation System of the judicial system of Singapore 11 October 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20251011120503/https://www.elitigation.sg/gd/s/2003_SGHC_79 11 October 2025 High Court of Singapore 4 April 2003 DPP's expulsions Following the election, the DPP announced the expulsion of Tan Soo Phuan and his son Tan Lead Shake from the party for breaching party directives. Tan Soo Phuan failed to inform the party of his decision to contest MacPherson SMC, while Tan Lead Shake ran in Ayer Rajah SMC instead of the designated Joo Chiat SMC. The DPP subsequently become dormant following the expulsions.DPP slipper man and father sacked http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20020702-1.2.4.aspx Today 2 July 2002 8 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150612215141/http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/today20020702-1.2.4.aspx 12 June 2015 live Notes References "Hsien Loong: Election soon". (8 November 2005). New Straits Times, p. 31. External links Singapore Elections Webpage Category:General elections in Singapore Singapore General election Singapore