While the ruling People's Action Party saw its vote share dip in the May General Election, former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew said on Tuesday he does not think a more populist form of government would need to emerge.

He said that losing one group representation constituency is not a disaster for the country and unless the competition is good, the trend of bringing competition to the political scene is unlikely to continue, reported Channel NewsAsia.

Much will depend on the opposition's performance as well as the government's response, said Lee, responding to questions on Singapore's political scene at the Russia-Singapore Business Forum.

He also responded to a question on permanent residency. Lee was quoted as saying that the government has to go slow on accepting permanent residents because Singaporeans do not want to see strange faces around them.

Yet, citizens' views on admitting foreigners may change as they age and need people, such as nurses, to look after them, he said.