People's Power Party (Singapore)

{{Main|2015 Singaporean general election}}

File:Goh Meng Seng 2011.JPG in 2011]]

The PPP was formed by politician Goh Meng Seng on 16 July 2015 just a few months prior to the election held that year. He advocated a governance system based on Sun Yat-sen's principles of the Separation of Five Powers.{{cite web|url=https://peoplespowerparty.sg/peoples-power-party-2024-fundraising-dinner-speech/|title=People’s Power Party 9th Anniversary 2024 Fundraising Dinner Speech by Goh Meng Seng|website=People's Power Party}}{{cite web |url=https://peoplespowerparty.sg/about-us/ |title = People's Power Party's Beliefs |website = People's Power Party}} Goh had previously served as a member of the Worker's Party (WP) and National Solidarity Party (NSP), in 2006 and 2011, respectively. In the aftermath of the 2011 election, Goh resigned from NSP's Secretary General position, and relinquished his party membership.

The PPP first contested in Singapore's general elections in the 2015 general election. It contested the four-member Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC), with a team consisting of Goh, Lee Tze Shih, Low Wai Choo, and former NSP member Syafarin Sarif, against the People's Action Party (PAP) team of Gan Kim Yong, Low Yen Ling, Zaqy Mohamad, and Yee Chia Hsing. The PPP team lost the contest with 25,460 votes, a vote share of 23.11%. Goh was surprised by the number of voters that turned out to vote for the PPP, as they were among the worst performing candidates in the election despite his status as a veteran politician. He claimed that this was as his party lacked media coverage. Shortly after the election, he returned to Hong Kong to reside with his family.

{{Main|2020 Singaporean general election}}

In 2018, PPP along with six other opposition parties: Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), NSP, Reform Party (RP), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Singaporeans First (SF), and Peoples Voice (PV), and led by former PAP member of parliament and presidential candidate Tan Cheng Bock, discussed the possibility of forming a coalition for the next election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/seven-opposition-parties-discuss-forming-a-new-coalition-invite-former-pap-mp-tan-cheng|title=7 opposition parties discuss forming a new coalition, invite former PAP MP Tan Cheng Bock to be leader|date=28 July 2018}} In March 2020, the PPP, SF, RP and DPP applied to join the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).{{Cite news |last=Koh |first=Fabian |date=1 April 2020 |title=Singapore GE: Four parties apply to join Singapore Democratic Alliance instead of registering new alliance |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapore-ge-four-parties-apply-to-join-singapore-democratic-alliance-instead-of |access-date=6 March 2025 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

The PPP participated in the 2020 general election, fielding their only candidate Goh to contest the MacPherson Single Member Constituency (SMC).{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Cara |title=Singapore GE2020: People's Power Party to contest MacPherson and Radin Mas SMCs |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapolitics/singapore-ge-peoples-power-party-to-contest-macpherson-and-radin-mas-smcs |access-date=24 June 2020 |agency=The Straits Times |date=23 June 2020}} On 27 June, Goh confirmed that this was to be his final election, reiterating his belief that he could contribute more to Parliament as an opposition member if elected, while praising the incumbent Tin Pei Ling for her dedication.{{cite news |last1=Lau |first1=Jean |title=Singapore GE2020: This election will be PPP's Goh Meng Seng's last |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapore-ge2020-this-election-will-be-goh-meng-sengs-last |access-date=27 June 2020 |agency=The Straits Times |date=27 June 2020}} Goh was defeated by a 71.74% to 28.26% vote share.{{cite news |last1=Lau |first1=Jean |title=GE2020 official results: PAP's Tin Pei Ling retains MacPherson with 71.74% of votes against PPP|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-results-tin-pei-ling-retains-macpherson-with-7174-of-votes-against-ppp |access-date=11 July 2020 |agency=The Straits Times |date=11 July 2020}}

{{Main|2025 Singaporean general election}}

In May 2024, PPP suggested to temporarily suspend COVID-19 vaccination in Singapore "in response to an increasing number of reports indicating significant adverse effects" of such vaccines. Ministry of Health of Singapore rejected the calls, citing works referred by PPP had either been debunked or not written by authors cited by PPP.{{Cite news |date=2024-06-03 |title=MOH rejects call by People’s Power Party to temporarily suspend Covid-19 vaccination |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/far-fewer-side-effects-with-covid-19-vaccine-than-with-covid-19-infection-if-unvaccinated-moh |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

By 21 November 2024, the PPP had formed the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) with three other parties: DPP, RP, and PV.{{Cite web|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/four-opposition-parties-to-form-new-alliance-ahead-of-the-next-ge|title=Four opposition parties to form new alliance ahead of the next GE|date=21 November 2024}} On 23 February 2025, it was announced that the PPP had withdrawn from the coalition, citing strategic differences, though it was stated that the PPP would remain open to future collaboration with PAR.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=22 February 2025 |title=People’s Power Party withdraws from four-party opposition alliance led by Lim Tean |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/peoples-power-party-withdraws-from-four-party-opposition-alliance-led-by-lim-tean |access-date=13 April 2025 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=}}

After the release of the new electoral boundaries, Goh reversed his commitment not to contest the election. On 3 March 2025, he announced on a Facebook post that the PPP would be contesting Nee Soon GRC due to believing that PAP might field a “well known LGBTQ activist” in the area. Goh stated that his party took a “firm stance” against the “LGBTQ agenda”, as they viewed it as a threat to the “sustainability” of Singapore’s population growth.{{Cite web |date=5 March 2025 |title=Goh Meng Seng says PPP will run in Nee Soon, will take firm stance against 'LGBTQ agenda' for S'pore's survival |url=https://mothership.sg/2025/03/goh-meng-seng-nee-soon-lgbt/ |access-date=13 April 2025 |website=Mothership}}

File:Goh Meng Seng at People's Power Party GE2025 Rally at Ang Mo Kio GRC 20250426 194501.jpg]]

It was also announced that the party would be running in Tampines GRC, Ang Mo Kio GRC, Tampines Changkat SMC, and Jalan Kayu SMC. This appeared to conflict with the plans of other opposition parties, such as Red Dot United (RDU) and PAR.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=11 March 2025 |title=People’s Power Party eyes five constituencies in GE2025, faces potential multi-cornered fights |url=https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/03/11/peoples-power-party-eyes-five-constituencies-in-ge2025-faces-potential-multi-cornered-fights/ |access-date=16 March 2025 |website=The Online Citizen |language=en-GB}} Later on 16 March, Goh revealed he would be “glad” to withdraw from the competition in Nee Soon GRC, provided the PAP did not field the aforementioned activist.{{Cite web |title=GE2025: PPP to step aside in Nee Soon GRC and let RDU contest as opposition party |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-peoples-action-party-ppp-pulls-out-nee-soon-red-dot-united-rdu-5017561 |access-date=2 April 2025 |website=CNA |language=en}} Subsequently, the PPP did so on 22 March under an agreement that would allow RDU to have a “clean fight” with the PAP team there. On 22 April, PPP announced they would withdraw from contesting Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs while continuing to contest both Tampines and Ang Mo Kio GRCs.{{Cite web |last=Tang |first=See Kit |date=22 April 2025 |title=GE2025: People’s Power Party to contest Ang Mo Kio, Tampines GRCs; setting up potential multi-cornered fights |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-ppp-peoples-power-party-ang-mo-kio-tampines-jalan-kayu-5080156 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=CNA |language=en}}

During the rallies for the election, Goh repeatedly accused WP and Pritam Singh, secretary general of WP, of betraying voters of Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC for not contesting the GRC without informing the other opposition parties.{{Cite news |last=Sun |first=David |date=2025-05-01 |title=GE2025: PPP’s Goh Meng Seng says voters need to ‘teach the PAP a good lesson’ |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ge2025-ppps-goh-meng-seng-says-voters-need-to-teach-pap-a-good-lesson |access-date=2025-05-10 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}{{Cite web |last=Tang |first=See Kit |date=25 April 2025 |title=GE2025: Goh Meng Seng tells Pritam Singh to 'be humble', accuses Workers' Party of 'abandoning' voters |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-peoples-power-party-ppp-goh-meng-seng-pritam-singh-workers-party-wp-marine-parade-braddell-heights-5087111 |access-date=2025-05-10 |website=CNA |language=en}} Other speakers at PPP's rallies also alluded WP of being in “alliance with the PAP” that electing WP would have elected PAP but in blue.

The 2025 general election saw the PPP losing in both Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs. In Ang Mo Kio GRC, PPP received around 11 percent of the votes, similar to Singapore United Party, while PAP won a decisive victory of almost 80 percent of the votes. The party received less than 1% of the votes in Tampines GRC, similar to NSP, while the PAP and WP garnering 52% and 47% respectively.{{cite web |author1=Aqil Hamzah |author2=Shermaine Ang |author3=David Sun |author4=Eddino Abdul Hadi |date=4 May 2025 |title=GE2025: PAP retains Tampines GRC in 4-way fight, wins Tampines Changkat SMC |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ge2025-pap-retains-tampines-grc-in-4-way-fight-wins-tampines-changkat-smc |access-date=6 May 2025 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}} As a result, both teams forfeited their $67,500 deposit each (a total of $135,000) for polling less than 12.5% of valid votes in their respective contested constituency.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Li Ying |last2=Wong |first2=Pei Ting |last3=Sun |first3=David |last4=Kok |first4=Yufeng |last5=Ng |first5=Wei Kai |date=2025-05-10 |title=GE2025: With a more discerning electorate, smaller opposition parties face an uncertain future |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/ge2025-with-a-more-discerning-electorate-smaller-opposition-parties-face-an-uncertain-future |access-date=2025-05-13 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

The PPP firmly believes that democracy provides the necessary balance of powers needed for the long-term stability of Singapore. This is achieved through the distinct separation of five powers, which are:{{cite web |title=About us |url=https://peoplespowerparty.sg/about-us/ |access-date=9 February 2025}}

1. Executive
2. Legislative
3. Judiciary
4. Impeachment
5. Selection

The PPP finds that in order to achieve an effective and functioning democracy via separation of these five powers, the President of Singapore should be empowered to effectively oversee the faculties of Impeachment and Selection in the form of:

• Corruption Practice Investigation Bureau (CPIB)
• Ombudsman Commission
• Equal Opportunity Commission
• Elections Department (ELD)
• Public Service Commission (PSC)

In contrast, there are only three branches (Judiciary, Executive and Legislative) of the state as of 2025, and the President, as head of state, does not fall into any of the branches.{{cite web |title=About the legal system |url=https://www.judiciary.gov.sg/who-we-are/about-legal-system |access-date=9 February 2025}}

For the 2025 general elections, the PPP had published a eight-point manifesto:{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=GE2025 Election Manifesto - Peoples Power Party |url=https://peoplespowerparty.sg/ge2025-election-manifesto/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250505214552/https://peoplespowerparty.sg/ge2025-election-manifesto/ |archive-date=5 May 2025 |access-date=2025-05-09 |website=}}

1. Singaporean-First Policy
2. Medical Freedom and Rights
3. Lower Cost of Living
4. Housing & CPF Reform
5. Affordable Healthcare
6. Population Policy
7. Stronger Families
8. Better Governance

In late April 2025, PPP candidate Samuel Lee became famous on the internet after a video of him lamenting his struggle to find a "career oath" through singing parodies of the Chinese song 我是一只小小鸟 (I am just a tiny bird) in English and Chinese went viral.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.facebook.com/MothershipSG/videos/samuel-lee-adapted-his-speech-from-the-song-im-just-a-tiny-tiny-bird-%E6%88%91%E6%98%AF%E4%B8%80%E5%8F%AA%E5%B0%8F%E5%B0%8F%E9%B8%9F/1664015784506816/ |title=706K views · 2K reactions {{!}} Samuel Lee adapted his speech from the song I'm Just A Tiny Tiny Bird (我是一只小小鸟). {{!}} By Mothership {{!}} Facebook |language=en |access-date=2025-07-03 |via=www.facebook.com}}{{Cite web |title='I really left a legacy': ex-PPP member Samuel Lee on being 1 of the most memed GE2025 candidates |url=https://mothership.sg/2025/06/samuel-lee-memes-podcast-rishi-budhrani/ |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=mothership.sg}} Lee was fielded in Ang Mo Kio GRC as a candidate.{{Cite news |date=2025-04-23 |title=GE2025: Ang Mo Kio GRC to see three-cornered fight for the first time |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ge2025-ang-mo-kio-grc-to-see-three-cornered-fight-for-the-first-time |access-date=2025-07-03 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

During the campaign period, it was found that Lee had previously been arrested for committing a rash act while driving and was handed a six-week jail term. The PPP said that Lee had been remorseful and taken full responsibility for his actions.{{Cite web |title=GE2025: PPP says candidate with prior conviction ‘remorseful and has taken full responsibility for actions’ |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-peoples-power-party-samuel-lee-conviction-5089341 |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=CNA |language=en}} Eventually, Lee's team lost their deposit, receiving 10.21% of the vote.{{Cite news |date=2025-05-04 |title=GE2025: PAP wins Ang Mo Kio GRC with 78.95% in 3-cornered fight against SUP, PPP |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ge2025-pap-wins-ang-mo-kio-grc-with-78-95-in-3-cornered-fight-against-sup-ppp |access-date=2025-07-03 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}

During a rally speech on 29 Apr 2025 at Yio Chu Kang Stadium, Lim, who was a limousine driver, claimed that "LTA [said] they have no manpower, they do not have 24 hours service", referring to LTA enforcers. Lim then elaborated to compare LTA to the police and the "fire people", stating that if the latter two did not have 24 hour service, the consequences would be drastic. Lim's speech went viral on the Internet due to his poor command of English and his dramatisation of the issue.{{Cite web |title=TikTok - Make Your Day |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@sgprimememesters/video/7502005234613456149 |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=www.tiktok.com}}{{Cite web |title=TikTok - Make Your Day |url=https://www.tiktok.com/@politicssg/video/7507274099647843592 |access-date=2025-07-05 |website=www.tiktok.com}}

The PPP's leader is its Secretary-General, Goh Meng Seng. As a veteran opposition politician, Goh had contested Aljunied GRC under the WP in a team which included Sylvia Lim and James Gomez in the 2006 general election. He also contested Tampines GRC while leading the NSP in the 2011 general election.

The PPP announced its 5th Central Executive Committee members on 7 November 2024, which are as follows:{{cite web |title=5th CEC members |url=https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1X2pbFc13z/ |publisher=People's Power Party Facebook |access-date=9 February 2025}}{{cite news |title=反对党人民力量党中委会改选 吴明盛再次出任党秘书长 |url=https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/singapore/story20241107-5312213 |access-date=9 February 2025 |agency=Zaobao |issue=7 November 2024 |date=7 November 2024}}

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