ABSTRACT
Since independence from British rule in 1965, the political system in Singapore has been shaped by the rule of Senior Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and his close associates in the People’s Action Party (PAP). Convinced that a purely Western model of democracy would lead to ethnic confl ict and social unrest in Singapore’s multicultural society, the government has consistently maintained that only a strong and united government can provide the leadership and policies to secure progress and prosperity in the city-state (Vasil, 2004). In addition, the ruling PAP claims that Singapore’s racial and religious diversity make it necessary to limit the democratic rights and freedoms of Singaporeans-especially during elections, when there is heightened political activity and emotion (Singh, 1992; Vasil, 2004).
