The first time a non-People’s Action Party (PAP) politician won a seat in Singapore’s Parliament was 45 years ago on 31 Oct 1981.
Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, who won the Anson by-election, became the first opposition politician to be elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) since Singapore gained its independence.
Although he would later face a myriad of legal issues, even resulting in him vacating his seat, J.B. Jeyaretnam’s victory in 1981 was a landmark moment for the Workers’ Party (WP) and for Singapore’s political history.
Source; Wikimedia Commons
At the time, the Anson seat was held by PAP’s Chengara Veetil Devan Nair.
Mr Nair had to resign from his seat after he was elected the third president of Singapore in October that year.
The election to fill Anson’s vacant seat was thus held on 31 Oct.
Voters had three candidates to choose from.
Representing WP was its secretary-general J. B. Jeyaretnam. The two others who contested him were PAP’s Pang Kim Hin and United People’s Front’s (UPF) Harbans Singh.
To observers, it was clear what the election meant.
On 27 Oct, The Business Times stated that the by-election was not a contest between two parties or two individuals — it was a battle between the PAP and J.B. Jeyaretnam.
Source: National Archives of Singapore. Image for illustration purposes only.
At least, that was how the PAP saw it, according to Goh Chok Tong, the organising secretary of the PAP.
He also called it a contest between the PAP and all it stands for on one hand and all the opposition parties together on the other.
Just a day later, Mr Jeyaretnam described the election as a battle between the ruling party and the people — rather than a contest between the PAP and the WP.
To win the support of the people, both parties made promises to work for the benefit of the people.
For Mr Jeyaretnam, he focused his campaign message on the rising costs affecting Singaporeans — particularly relating to HDB housing, medical care, and transportation.
The opposition politician said the costs made a decent living out of reach for many Singaporeans.
He also accused the PAP for using too much government funding on hotels, airports, and embassies.
Meanwhile, his rival Mr Pang focused on the PAP’s track record of providing for the people.
Of course, the campaign was not without its fair share of verbal battles.
The PAP made several accusations that Mr Jeyaretnam was a man of words and ideals, rather than one of action.
At a press conference on 29 Oct 1981, Mr Pang said the PAP never indulged in empty promises unlike his rival.
Mr Pang said his rival made promises to “give everything away for free” and ultimately that would bankrupt Singapore.
The claims elicited a strong response from Mr Jeyaretnam, who called them a “wicked and malicious lie” the following day.
“What we are saying is that people who cannot afford the basic necessities must be helped by the government,” he said at his final rally before the by-election.
On 31 Oct 1981, J.B. Jeyaretnam won the Anson by-election.
He had 51.93% (7,012) of the votes. Meanwhile, his rivals from the PAP and UPF each won 47.10% (6,359) and 0.97% (131), respectively.
Source: National Archives of Singapore. Image for illustration purposes only.
Mr Jeyaretnam’a victory marked the first time a non-PAP politician won a seat in parliament since Singapore gained its independence.
It ended a 13-year monopoly that the PAP held in government.
While the win was historic, observers at the time said the election was more of a PAP loss than a WP win.
According to The Straits Times (ST), the second-generation PAP leaders were given full responsibility over the campaign.
They partially banked on opposition parties fighting amongst each other, between WP and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in particular.
However, SDP bowed out of the election, and instead threw their lot behind Mr Jeyaretnam.
“We have shown to the people of Singapore that we are mature and responsible, and can cooperate to ensure that there is no unnecessary opposition split votes,” said then-SDP chief Chiam See Tong.
There were also comments that the PAP did not take note of the grassroots feelings of the people of Anson.
Source: National Archives of Singapore. Image for illustration purposes only.
According to an excerpt from Chinese-language daily Nanyang Siang Pau, the majority of the constituents in Anson are from the lower and middle economic bracket.
As a result, topics like rising living costs, which were a major talking point at the time, were felt strongly by the constituents.
Despite that, the PAP fielded a relative newcomer who came across as a rich man’s son.
The historic election result no doubt gave food for thought for both the PAP and the opposition parties.
For the opposition, it was one of the first times the opposition had its day in government to prove it could deliver on its promises.
Source: Worker’s Party
For the PAP, it provided food for thought on whether they have lost touch with their voters.
One article from ST on 6 Nov 1981 stated that the PAP had lost its feel for the people.
Despite being a good provider, the ruling party had no idea what the normal folk felt — instead they simply set an agenda and pushed it forth onto the people.
Another article said that the historic loss was a great reminder for the PAP that the hearts and minds of people are things that must constantly be fought over.
“The party’s defeat may well prove to be the nation’s gain,” the article said.
Also read: This day 48 years ago: Oil tanker Spyros explodes during repairs in Jurong Shipyard, kills 76
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Featured image adapted from Wikimedia Commons and Worker’s Party.
