BBC News Online: World: Asia-Pacific

Singapore ruling party triumphant

The opposition parties are small and fragmented

The PAP's victory was a foregone conclusion after opposition parties fielded candidates in just 29 seats. The opposition held only two seats in the last parliament.

The BBC's Jonathan Head in Singapore says the tight restrictions on political activity make it almost impossible for other parties to challenge the PAP, which has held power since independence in 1965.

But even now, during the worst recession for 30 years, there is little appetite for change, he says.

Police arrested 16 people at an unauthorised political rally on the eve of the election.

About 200 people gathered along a road and waved flags in support of the opposition Singapore Democratic Alliance, police said.

Police officers were jeered and one was punched as they tried to keep the crowd off the road, police said. Riot control troops dispersed the crowd.

Singapore is in the throes of its worst recession since the 1960s, but the government has a strong record of economic development.

Prosperity not political change

Singaporeans enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world.

Opposition politicians complain that it will be difficult for them to make headway because of restraints on political activity and tight government control of the media.

Opposition politician Dr Chee Soon Juan has been threatened by a lawsuit over a barrage of questions he threw at Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong about money allegedly lent to Indonesia.

In the past, the government has bankrupted several of its critics through legal action, forcing them out of politics.

Our correspondent says the prime minister now seems ready to use the same tactic again.

The PAP campaigned hard in the few seats where the opposition had any chance of success.