There are about 23 registered political parties in Singapore, of which as of 2006, there are about 4 prominent political organizations in Singapore. They are namely the People’s Action Party, the Workers’ Party, the Singapore Democratic Alliance (Singapore People’s Party, National Solidarity Party, Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Singapura, Singapore Justice Party) and the Singapore Democratic Party. Essentially, these 4 political parties are the most active and recognized political associations in Singapore.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2006 GE, led by the success of the Workers’ Party, the opposition parties were back in the limelight, A similar phenomenon was also seen in the aftermath of the 1991 General elections, when the SDP won 4 seats in Parliament.

In fact, I would like to suggest that the 2006 GE was a political reawakening of sorts for much of the Singapore populace. However, this issue is not the focus of this article. With the “success” of the opposition, especially The Workers' Party, what is in store for the opposition and its sympathizers in the run up to the next elections, most possibly to be held as early as 2009?

While the Worker’s Party was gaining a lot of attention and seeing an increased number of memberships and a continued process of political renewal in its leadership ranks, the other political parties were relatively quiet and muted. The SDA was rocked by the leadership tussle in one of its alliance partners; the PKMS. The leadership of the SDP was subsequently charged in courts for various confrontations with the ruling party. However, this is not to suggest that only the WP is working hard while the rest are idling around. Certainly, it would not be fair to accuse that the SDA and the SDP is taking a backseat and waiting for the next elections. A look at the websites of the NSP and the SPP would show that the SDA is still aggressively working the ground in constituencies that it had contested in the last GE; namely Jalan Besar GRC and Tampines GRC. The same can also be said of the Workers’ Party as well.

An article in the Chinese mainstream newspaper caught my attention today.

成员党马民机构因党争闹上法庭 民联动向令反对党人关注.

Essentially, the writer was contemplating about the future of the SDA and the impact on the political makeup in the opposition should the SDA breaks up. Interestingly enough, there was even mention of a possible alliance between the NSP and the WP.

"团结党和工人党这几年关系融洽，党要之间彼此都很熟络。据党内人士观察，以两党的交情，如果团结党因同民联的发展理念不同而出走，最有可能及最务实的做法是同工人党结成联盟，以在四五年后举行的大选中形成选战的重心。

团结党目前除了定期在星期天走访选区之外，接下来也会大力招募新党员，并且计划在明年一月把现有的党总部搬迁到惹兰勿刹，同工人党的赛阿威路总部距离不到一公里。"

In fact, with the PKMS going to court over its leadership battle, the SDA was unable to carry out its new election of its CEC, slated to be held later this year. It must be noted that the WP renew its senior leadership ranks just 2 months after the euphoria of the general elections. Again, I am not questioning the commitment and determination of the SDA in its renewal process.

From my perspective, I would firstly like to express my disappointment at this unfortunate episode in the senior ranks in the PKMS. But I harbour hopes that this will only be a minor hiccup in the renewal process within the SDA. My stand is this. The political renewal of any opposition party is a major and inevitable phenomenon in Singapore politics as the baton is gradually being passed from pre-65s to the post 65ers

Right now, I would like to urge Mr Chiam See Tong to relinquish his position as secretary general in the SDA executive committee and to allow the younger leaders in the SDA to take over. This is not a sign of disrespect and any indication of his loss of support within the party. This move is necessary as it is of utmost importance that young and capable leaders in the party gained maximum exposure to the grassroots and public before the next elections come by.

I would like to warn that if Mr Chiam holds on to power in the SDA, there could be major repercussions to future of the opposition in Singapore. Foremost, the SDA might break up and members would become disillusioned and join other political parties, thus sideling and weakening the position of Mr Chiam in his possible re-election bid in the next election. On top of that, any move to prevent political renewal would mean a step backward for opposition politics in general, dismantling the efforts and headways that the opposition had made in the last elections. It must be noted that when up against a powerful and resourceful opponent in the PAP, nothing should be spared to put up a strong, credible opposition in sync with the aspirations of the Singapore populace which is increasingly younger and more vibrant.

Be it the PAP, WP, SDA or even the SDP, the crucial thing is this. Every party that is interested in making a change in Singapore must continue to stay relevant to the electorate and continuously seek to improve, innovate and incorporate new ideas and platforms into the party. The Singapore electorate is particularly a pragmatic, choosy and fickle-minded lot. Serving the interests of all Singaporeans must be the objective of any political party in Singapore and the SDA must not have this liberty to hijack the renewal and eventual politicization of Singapore politics, which is finally at its crossroads after 41 years of PAP’s rule and structure.