PAP’s Goh Pei Ming is one of the highest election spenders with over S$100K spent, despite getting into Parliament by walkover

SINGAPORE: People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Goh Pei Ming has emerged as the top spender in the first tranche of declared expenses from the 2025 General Election, chalking up S$104,085 on his campaign alone. His spending, more than four times the average of S$25,285 among the 35 candidates who have submitted returns so far, places him well above the rest in a disclosure exercise meant to ensure transparency in political financing.

According to figures published by the Elections Department (ELD) on May 28, more than half of Mr Goh’s declared expenditure went to non-online election advertising, such as physical banners, posters, pamphlets, and other ground campaign materials.

Mr Goh, a former Chief of Staff in the Singapore Armed Forces, contested under the PAP banner in the Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC. His team was the only one to win by walkover on Nomination Day, meaning they were elected uncontested.

Despite not having to campaign against opposing parties in the polls, the team collectively spent S$388,756 on election-related activities, among the highest totals submitted so far in this year’s election cycle.

All candidates are required under Singapore law to submit a declaration of their election spending and donations by June 16, as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in political financing.

While campaign advertising remained the largest category of expenditure across all submissions, the amount spent by Mr Goh and his team stands out, particularly given the uncontested nature of their win.

The remaining 176 candidates who participated in GE2025 have either not yet submitted their returns or are awaiting publication in the Government Gazette. The ELD has made the available declarations accessible via its online portal for public inspection using Singpass credentials.