SINGAPORE DISSOLVES PARLIAMENT, PAVING WAY FOR 11TH GENERAL ELECTION

SINGAPORE, April 19 (Bernama) -- The Singapore Government dissolved its
Parliament Tuesday, paving the way for the 11th General Election.

President S R Nathan, on the advice of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong,
dissolved the parliament, according to a statement released by the Prime
Minister's Office.

The upcoming general election will be the first real test of Lee's
leadership.

Lee, the eldest son of founding prime minister and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan
Yew, was appointed to the post in August 2004. He was deputy prime minister
since 1990.

The ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which has dominated parliament for
the last five decades, had been widely speculated to go to the polls much
earlier than February 2012, when the current term of parliament ends, to take
advantange of the republic's economic strength.

Last Sunday, PAP unveiled its manifesto for the coming general election
titled, 'Securing Our Future Together'.

In the manifesto, PAP said Singaporeans could rely on the party to do the
best for the people from all walks of life, and to keep the people united
through good and bad times.