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Coffeeshop Chit Chat - One-third to wet their pants</TD><TD id=msgunetc noWrap align=right> </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE class=msgtable cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="96%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msg vAlign=top><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgbfr1 width="1%"> </TD><TD><TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0><TBODY><TR class=msghead vAlign=top><TD class=msgF width="1%" noWrap align=right>From: </TD><TD class=msgFname width="68%" noWrap>UncleFond <NOBR></NOBR> </TD><TD class=msgDate width="30%" noWrap align=right>3:28 am </TD></TR><TR class=msghead><TD class=msgT height=20 width="1%" noWrap align=right>To: </TD><TD class=msgTname width="68%" noWrap>ALL <NOBR></NOBR></TD><TD class=msgNum noWrap align=right> (1 of 1) </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"> </TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>47442.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD id=msgtxt_1 class=msgtxt>Sylvia Lim on opposition strategy .
Opposition parties in Singapore should work towards securing at least one-third of elected seats in Parliament over time, said Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim.
She noted that's the minimum number required to block any amendments to the constitution.
Ms Lim was speaking to reporters at the unveiling of the party's campaign slogan and manifesto for the election.
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"Towards a First World Parliament" - that's the Workers' Party campaign slogan for the elections.
It calls for more opposition voices to keep the ruling party on its toes by occupying enough seats to block any constitutional amendment that requires at least two thirds of the House votes.
Sylvia Lim:
"If we really believe the constitution is important to us and that it should not be amended for inadequate reasons, then I think it's very important for us to defend it. And if the government should ever try to amend it for partisan advantage, for example, I think it's important for there to be sufficient numbers of members of the house to vote against it."
Ms Lim also responded to comments made by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who said the opposition is asking for a "high premium" in the form of "15 to 20 percent of seats in parliament", but they "can't deliver" when called upon.
"If you do maths, 15% still leaves 85% of them. Is he saying that the ruling party cannot function at 85%? I don't know what is his point really. Does the PAP want to be 100% in power?"
Speaking to reporters at its headquarters in Little India (Syed Alwi Road), the Workers' Party introduced its 63-page manifesto, which covers 15 areas of public policy.
They include calls for the government to spend more on healthcare, re-look immigration policies and bring down the voting age to 18, so as to encourage young people to have an early interest in politics.
The Workers' Party says it will be introducing its election candidates soon, but this will depend on when the elections are called.
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Opposition parties in Singapore should work towards securing at least one-third of elected seats in Parliament over time, said Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim.
She noted that's the minimum number required to block any amendments to the constitution.
Ms Lim was speaking to reporters at the unveiling of the party's campaign slogan and manifesto for the election.
========================
"Towards a First World Parliament" - that's the Workers' Party campaign slogan for the elections.
It calls for more opposition voices to keep the ruling party on its toes by occupying enough seats to block any constitutional amendment that requires at least two thirds of the House votes.
Sylvia Lim:
"If we really believe the constitution is important to us and that it should not be amended for inadequate reasons, then I think it's very important for us to defend it. And if the government should ever try to amend it for partisan advantage, for example, I think it's important for there to be sufficient numbers of members of the house to vote against it."
Ms Lim also responded to comments made by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who said the opposition is asking for a "high premium" in the form of "15 to 20 percent of seats in parliament", but they "can't deliver" when called upon.
"If you do maths, 15% still leaves 85% of them. Is he saying that the ruling party cannot function at 85%? I don't know what is his point really. Does the PAP want to be 100% in power?"
Speaking to reporters at its headquarters in Little India (Syed Alwi Road), the Workers' Party introduced its 63-page manifesto, which covers 15 areas of public policy.
They include calls for the government to spend more on healthcare, re-look immigration policies and bring down the voting age to 18, so as to encourage young people to have an early interest in politics.
The Workers' Party says it will be introducing its election candidates soon, but this will depend on when the elections are called.
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