The Online Citizen

Netizens reject calls for WP to name new LO, say Pritam Singh’s mandate outweighs formal title Netizens have strongly rejected calls for the Workers’ Party to swiftly appoint a new Leader of the Opposition after Pritam Singh’s removal, arguing that his legitimacy comes from voter mandate rather than a title conferred by the ruling party. Many urged WP to focus on accountability and bread-and-butter issues instead of political symbolism.

Netizens reject calls for WP to name new LO, say Pritam Singh’s mandate outweighs formal title

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/16/netizens-reject-calls-for-wp-to-name-new-lo-say-pritam-singhs-mandate-outweighs-formal-title/

Lim Tean: Removal of opposition leader exposes political control masked as democracy Peoples’ Voice chief Lim Tean says the Prime Minister’s removal of Pritam Singh as Leader of the Opposition reveals the discretionary and fragile nature of the role. His comments join a growing chorus of criticism from opposition leaders across parties.

Lim Tean: Removal of opposition leader exposes political control masked as democracy
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/16/lim-tean-removal-of-opposition-leader-exposes-political-control-masked-as-democracy/

Ravi Philemon says PM’s removal of opposition leader exposes fragility of Singapore’s political system Red Dot United chief Ravi Philemon says the Prime Minister’s power to remove the Leader of the Opposition proves the role lacks institutional safeguards and undermines democratic accountability in Singapore’s political system.

Ravi Philemon says PM’s removal of opposition leader exposes fragility of Singapore’s political system
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/16/ravi-philemon-says-pms-removal-of-opposition-leader-exposes-fragility-of-singapores-political-system/

Why the Workers’ Party should reject the Leader of the Opposition role The Leader of the Opposition role, created at the PAP’s discretion and now used to pressure the Workers’ Party, has become a poisoned chalice. With no constitutional safeguards and vague privileges, it exposes opposition figures to political risk while offering little protection. The WP should reject the position and assert its independence on its own terms.

Why the Workers’ Party should reject the Leader of the Opposition role

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/15/why-the-workers-party-should-reject-the-leader-of-the-opposition-role/

NMPs are no longer neutral: The Pritam Singh debate confirms the partisan drift The Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) scheme no longer upholds its non-partisan mandate. From the Pritam Singh censure motion to the first NMP-turned-party MP, the line between neutrality and partisanship has decisively collapsed.

NMPs are no longer neutral: The Pritam Singh debate confirms the partisan drift

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/15/nmps-are-no-longer-neutral-the-pritam-singh-debate-confirms-the-partisan-drift/

Is the government going to tweak HIP like it tweaks GRCs? A 14 January 2026 parliamentary exchange confirmed the government is reviewing HIP rules, including clustering small blocks to meet the 75% threshold. But if larger blocks can override smaller ones, this risks the tyranny of the majority—where consent is replaced by numerical dominance. It may look democratic, but feels engineered.

Is the government going to tweak HIP like it tweaks GRCs? https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/15/is-the-government-going-to-tweak-hip-like-it-tweaks-grcs/

The path to Pritam Singh’s conviction could just as easily have led to Lee Hsien Loong WP chief Pritam Singh’s conviction stemmed from a COP process set in motion over Raeesah Khan’s lie in Parliament. Yet the prolonged concealment of Tan Chuan-Jin’s affair—known to Lee Hsien Loong for years—never faced similar scrutiny. Had a COP been convened in that case, the outcome might well have mirrored Singh’s. This disparity raises deeper questions about how Parliament chooses who to investigate—and why.

The path to Pritam Singh’s conviction could just as easily have led to Lee Hsien Loong https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/15/the-path-to-pritam-singhs-conviction-could-just-as-easily-have-led-to-lee-hsien-loong/

Conflating compliance with support: a political habit worth revisiting When people have no real alternative, their choices can’t be read as endorsement. Whether on TraceTogether or price of public housing, PAP must stop presenting constrained public actions as proof of support. Accountability demands better.

Conflating compliance with support: a political habit worth revisiting
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/13/conflating-compliance-with-support-a-political-habit-worth-revisiting/

Letter: Students raise concerns over SATS central kitchen catering at Hwa Chong Institution Hwa Chong students have raised concerns over the shift from traditional canteen stalls to SATS central kitchen catering, citing dissatisfaction with food quality, portions, pricing and the online ordering system. While some items were seen as improved, students say consistency remains an issue and want clearer standards, transparency and broader feedback channels.

Letter: Students raise concerns over SATS central kitchen catering at Hwa Chong Institution https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/10/letter-students-raise-concerns-over-sats-central-kitchen-catering-at-hwa-chong-institution/

HCI denial over alleged silencing of bento meal feedback draws scrutiny over unanswered concerns Hwa Chong Institution’s denial of disciplining students over canteen food comments has drawn scepticism online, with netizens questioning contradictions between alleged teacher messages and the school’s public clarification.

HCI denial over alleged silencing of bento meal feedback draws scrutiny over unanswered concerns https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/09/hci-denial-over-alleged-silencing-of-bento-meal-feedback-draws-scrutiny-over-unanswered-concerns/

Defamation trial set for Bloomberg over GCB article naming Shanmugam and Tan See Leng Bloomberg will contest defamation claims in April 2026 by Ministers K Shanmugam and Tan See Leng over a 2024 article alleging non-transparent property dealings in Singapore’s high-end real estate sector.

Defamation trial set for Bloomberg over GCB article naming Shanmugam and Tan See Leng
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/08/defamation-trial-set-for-bloomberg-over-gcb-article-naming-shanmugam-and-tan-see-leng/

Reddit users criticise alleged catered meals at HCI secondary school, liken food to SAF cookhouse fare Hwa Chong Institution’s new hybrid canteen model has drawn online criticism after photos of allegedly catered meals for secondary students circulated on Reddit. Netizens questioned the food’s quality, likening it to SAF cookhouse fare, and raised concerns over nutrition, student choice and the loss of canteen culture, as the school rolls out centrally prepared bento meals alongside live stalls.

Reddit users criticise alleged catered meals at HCI secondary school, liken food to SAF cookhouse fare https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/07/reddit-users-criticise-alleged-catered-meals-at-hci-secondary-school-liken-food-to-saf-cookhouse-fare/

Haresh Singaraju says he is now ‘not a member of any party’ after PAP shirt photo controversy Dr Haresh Singaraju has clarified that he is not a member of any political party after a photo of him wearing a PAP T-shirt resurfaced online. The NMP-designate said the image was from a past party activity and acknowledged an earlier mischaracterisation of the event, amid renewed debate over the independence of the NMP scheme.

Haresh Singaraju says he is now ‘not a member of any party’ after PAP shirt photo controversy https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/06/haresh-singaraju-says-he-is-now-not-a-member-of-any-party-after-pap-shirt-photo-controversy/

NMP-designate Haresh Singaraju clarifies past PAP ties after deleted IG photo in PAP shirt surfaces A deleted Instagram photo of newly nominated NMP Haresh Singaraju wearing a PAP T-shirt has sparked online debate over the neutrality of Singapore’s NMP scheme. Haresh confirmed he was formerly a party member but said he will serve independently, as scrutiny over the scheme intensifies ahead of parliamentary appointments.

NMP-designate Haresh Singaraju clarifies past PAP ties after deleted IG photo in PAP shirt surfaces
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2026/01/06/nmp-designate-haresh-singaraju-clarifies-past-pap-ties-after-deleted-ig-photo-in-pap-shirt-surfaces/

Mourners bid farewell to Ravi in poignant final procession Hundreds gathered on 26 December to bid farewell to Ravi in a solemn and moving procession, reflecting on his legacy, compassion, and the questions surrounding his final days.

Mourners bid farewell to Ravi in poignant final procession

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/31/mourners-bid-farewell-to-ravi-in-poignant-final-procession/

Filmmaker Jason Soo attends police interview over post-screening remarks after Al Awda documentary Singaporean filmmaker Jason Soo said he completed a 90-minute police interview on 29 Dec over remarks made after a screening of Al Awda, a documentary on a 2018 Gaza flotilla mission challenging Israel’s maritime blockade. The case is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code on acts intended to wound racial or religious feelings.

Filmmaker Jason Soo attends police interview over post-screening remarks after Al Awda documentary https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/31/filmmaker-jason-soo-attends-police-interview-over-post-screening-remarks-after-al-awda-documentary/

Jo Teo’s TikTok restored after suspension; last video criticised Ho Ching’s defence of electoral boundaries Jo Teo returned to TikTok on 29 Dec after nearly three months, saying her absence was due to PhD commitments and the suspension of her account. She said TikTok first cited impersonation, then alleged intellectual property violations without specifying the content. Her last video had challenged Ho Ching’s defence of Singapore’s electoral boundary redrawing.

Jo Teo’s TikTok restored after suspension; last video criticised Ho Ching’s defence of electoral boundaries

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/30/jo-teos-tiktok-restored-after-suspension-last-video-criticised-ho-chings-defence-of-electoral-boundaries/

Remembering M. Ravi: The lawyer who would not stop fighting Human rights lawyer M. Ravi fought where few would: death penalty appeals, public-interest cases, and equality matters. His opposition to hanging—set out publicly as far back as 2016—was never about excusing drugs, but about the moral and legal limits of state power and the irreversibility of death. Even after being struck off, he spoke of rebuilding and one day seeking reinstatement—still a lawyer at heart.

Remembering M. Ravi: The lawyer who would not stop fighting https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/26/remembering-m-ravi-the-lawyer-who-would-not-stop-fighting/

Singaporean filmmaker Jason Soo says he is under police investigation over remarks after film screening Singaporean filmmaker Jason Soo says he is under police investigation after remarks made following a screening of his Gaza flotilla documentary Al Awda. He said police informed him a complaint had been lodged and that he is being investigated under Section 298 of the Penal Code.

Singaporean filmmaker Jason Soo says he is under police investigation over remarks after film screening https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/26/singaporean-filmmaker-jason-soo-says-he-is-under-police-investigation-over-remarks-after-film-screening/

Veteran human rights lawyer M Ravi dies at 56 after decades of advocacy Human rights lawyer M Ravi has died at 56. Known for death row defence work, including the acquittal of Gobi Avedian, his career shaped debates on capital punishment and civil liberties while also attracting repeated disciplinary action.

Veteran human rights lawyer M Ravi dies at 56 after decades of advocacy https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/24/veteran-human-rights-lawyer-m-ravi-dies-at-56-after-decades-of-advocacy/

PAP’s elite recruitment loop undercuts its own political renewal narrative Despite justifying high ministerial pay as a tool to draw top talent from the private sector, the PAP’s latest slate of candidates shows deep reliance on civil servants, academics, and military figures—raising concerns about political diversity and leadership renewal.

PAP’s elite recruitment loop undercuts its own political renewal narrative

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/23/paps-elite-recruitment-loop-undercuts-its-own-political-renewal-narrative/

Calls grow to recognise Singapore SEA Games medallists amid concerns over silver and bronze incentives Singapore’s improved SEA Games 2025 performance has renewed scrutiny of its Major Games Award Programme, with questions raised over why only gold medallists receive cash incentives while silver and bronze winners do not.

Calls grow to recognise Singapore SEA Games medallists amid concerns over silver and bronze incentives https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/23/calls-grow-to-recognise-singapore-sea-games-medallists-amid-concerns-over-silver-and-bronze-incentives/

Law Society’s “compromise” still leaves the mandate question open The Law Society’s leadership dispute was never just about titles. It was about mandate: whether ministerial nominees—who did not stand for election by the Bar—should hold executive power. A “compromise” that shifts a ministerial appointee from President-elect to Vice-President risks bypassing that principle and deferring it to 2026, while process and accountability questions continue to hang over the Council.

Law Society’s “compromise” still leaves the mandate question open

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/20/law-societys-compromise-still-leaves-the-mandate-question-open/

High Court dismisses challenge to Singapore’s mandatory death penalty On 16 December, the High Court dismissed a constitutional challenge against the mandatory death penalty in Singapore, ruling that the applicants lacked standing. The judge also found the sentencing regime consistent with constitutional rights and separation of powers.

High Court dismisses challenge to Singapore’s mandatory death penalty

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/18/high-court-dismisses-challenge-to-singapores-mandatory-death-penalty/

Averted showdown or missed reckoning? What the Law Society’s leadership compromise reveals Dinesh Singh Dhillon’s decision to step aside as Law Society president-elect ahead of the 22 Dec EGM has defused tensions — but not resolved the deeper concerns. The controversy over appointing a statutory council member to the presidency has revived long-standing questions about transparency, member control, and the legacy of the 1986 amendments that introduced ministerial appointments to the Council.

Averted showdown or missed reckoning? What the Law Society’s leadership compromise reveals
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/18/averted-showdown-or-missed-reckoning-what-the-law-societys-leadership-compromise-reveals/

MSF’s latest ComLink+ report shows a system under strain MSF’s latest ComLink+ report paints a more complex picture than headlines suggest. While almost 40% of families remain without stable employment, shifts in reporting make year-on-year comparison unclear. Rising family stress indicators and persistent gaps in preschool attendance point to deeper challenges that inputs alone cannot resolve.

MSF’s latest ComLink+ report shows a system under strain

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/16/msfs-latest-comlink-report-shows-a-system-under-strain/

Lawyers question Ho Ching’s view of Law Society as governance concerns dismissed as “side quarrels” Comments by Ho Ching portraying the Law Society as merely a regulatory body have prompted public rebuttals from lawyers, who say the Legal Profession Act mandates the Society to represent, protect and assist its members. The exchange unfolds ahead of an Extraordinary General Meeting on leadership selection, governance and independence.

Lawyers question Ho Ching’s view of Law Society as governance concerns dismissed as “side quarrels” https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/16/lawyers-question-ho-chings-view-of-law-society-as-governance-concerns-dismissed-as-side-quarrels/

Why penalising care won’t solve Singapore’s insurance crisis — and may deepen it - The Online Citizen Health Minister Ong Ye Kung says ISP reforms aim to sustain private healthcare by reducing premiums. But behavioural science and new data suggest the opposite may happen: fewer people will seek care, while falling confidence in insurance could trigger a self-reinforcing cycle of higher costs.

Why penalising care won’t solve Singapore’s insurance crisis — and may deepen it https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/15/why-penalising-care-wont-solve-singapores-insurance-crisis-and-may-deepen-it/

From protection to restriction: How Singapore’s contempt law moved beyond its 2016 promises - The Online Citizen Once promised as a safeguard for justice, Singapore’s contempt law has become a tool of restriction. Assurances that only egregious cases would be caught have given way to a legal regime where intent is irrelevant, risk is broadly defined, and even political speech made in good faith can trigger liability. The shift from protection to deterrence raises troubling questions about the space for public discourse and democratic accountability.

From protection to restriction: How Singapore’s contempt law moved beyond its 2016 promises

https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/13/from-protection-to-restriction-how-singapores-contempt-law-moved-beyond-its-2016-promises/

38 Oxley Road gazetted as national monument amid objections from LKY’s estate - The Online Citizen 38 Oxley Road has been gazetted as a national monument, effective 13 December, following the government's assessment of its historic significance. The move comes despite formal objections from the estate of Lee Kuan Yew, who had expressed a wish for the house to be demolished.

38 Oxley Road gazetted as national monument amid objections from LKY’s estate
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/12/12/38-oxley-road-gazetted-as-national-monument-amid-objections-from-lkys-estate/