The leaders of four opposition parties declared their commitment to fighting new general elections, and warned of shocks in store for the government, the Straits Times said.

Although any suggestion of a change of government is out of the question, the opposition leaders said they were winning support from people still suffering from the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has a stranglehold on power in Singapore -- winning 81 of the 83 seats in the last election -- but it has been accused of manipulating the electoral system to its advantage.

Goh stung the opposition when he said recently there would be no strong challenge in the next election, adding: "The old, jaded political leaders will be there. There may be a couple of fresh faces, but they will pose little threat."

Singapore People's Party secretary-general Chiam See Tong, one of a growing number who believe the government will call an election well before the August 2002 deadline, pointed to the 1991 poll as a lesson for PAP, when the opposition took four seats.

"I think (Goh) should not write off the opposition so soon ... he may get a rude shock," Chiam, an MP since 1984, told the daily.

Support for opposition parties was coming from people who have not benefited from Singapore's speedy recovery from the 1997 economic crisis, he said.

"If you talk to Singaporeans in general, they are still not too happy. Many of them are still owing alot of money. Things are not as rosy as the government has made it out to be."

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan similarly argued that "economic growth numbers do not necessarily benefit many workers and average Singaporeans."

Chee challenged the government to set up an independent commission to ensure elections are free and fair, and demanded opposition parties have the same access to the media as the PAP.

The National Solidarity Party, which has been canvassing selected areas since the last election in 1997, also called for a level playing field for all parties.

A pre-election book by the party, cites a fear by Singaporeans to get involved in opposition politics because of defamation suits filed by PAP members against people such as former Workers Party candidate Tang Liang Hong.

Party president Tan Chee Kien said the book also argued against PAP using the issue of upgrading public flats, paid out of public funds, as part of its election propaganda.

Veteran Workers Party chief J.B. Jeyaretnam, in a reference to the use of upgrading flats as an electioneering tool, said if Goh did not think the opposition was a threat "why did he resort to blatant intimidation of voters" in the last election.