PAP splinter party Barisan Sosialis, 13 other defunct political parties deregistered
Barisan Sosialis — once Singapore’s largest Opposition party — is one of the 14 dormant political parties that were deregistered on Thursday (Dec 4). This comes after the authorities gave the political parties three months to give proof of their continued existence to ensure they comply with the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act. Under the law, those involved in Singapore’s political process, such as political parties and Members of Parliament, are designated as politically significant persons and are subjected to measures to mitigate the risk of foreign interference. For instance, they have to report single donations of $10,000 or more, and are required to disclose if they have been granted migration benefits such as permanent residency or honorary citizenship by foreign governments. The Ministry of Home Affairs told The Straits Times that Singapore now has 20 registered political parties. Eleven of them contested in the 2025 General Election. According to a notice in the Government Gazette on Thursday, the political parties that have ceased to exist are: