Lim Boon Heng's cries proved Opposition MPs are required!
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IcePepper
Joined: 27 Nov 2010
Posts: 310
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 3:24 am Post subject: Lim Boon Heng's cries proved Opposition MPs are required!</TD><TD vAlign=top noWrap>
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PEOPLE'S Action Party (PAP) chairman Lim Boon Heng became emotional during a media conference on Monday when introducing the party's latest batch of candidates.
Tears welled up in his eyes when he was replying to a reporter's question about potential 'groupthink' within the party, which recently fended off criticism about its one-party rule, and slate of new candidates for an apparent lack of diversity.
'There is no groupthink,' said Mr Lim as he composed himself after he was overwhelmed by emotions.
Mr Lim cited the casino issue back in 2005, when it was hotly debated among Singaporeans and MPs.
During the 2005 parliamentary debate, Mr Lim was equally emotional, struggling to hold back his tears when he made a moving speech on how gambling had wrecked a family.
At Monday's media conference, Mr Lim told reporters that the Cabinet was not of one mind on the controversial issue.
'Within the Cabinet it was very divided,' he said. 'For me it was a very difficult process to accept the casinos. I almost couldn't make my speech in Parliament.'
Mr Lim, 63, who is Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, announced his decision to retire from politics on Sunday.
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It showed how important it is to have more members of parliament who are from non-ruling parties. MPs of opposition parties are not controlled by the party-whip of PAP.
Lim Boon Heng can continue to cry a few more times; the facts will remain that there were Singaporean families destroyed by the 2 casinos and there were many Singaporeans losing their jobs and having their salaries suppressed due to his party's policies.
As a PAP MP, you can disagree with the PM and you can even cry in front of the media - but, you cannot vote against your PAP's whip.
We need MPs who can serve as an effective check and balance on the ruling government.</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
