The World - News from May 9, 1988

With a general election in Singapore a distinct possibility this year, two opposition parties have announced a merger for a better chance at the polls. Leaders of the Barisan Sosialis, formed in 1961 by a left-wing breakaway group of the ruling People’s Action Party, said their party will be dissolved and merged with the Workers’ Party, headed by Joshua Jeyaretnam. Barisan Socialis Chairman Lee Siew Choh told reporters that individual opposition parties are weak and, unless they unite, are in no position to successfully challenge the ruling party.