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‘I welcome more responsibility’: WP’s Pritam Singh responds to PM Wong’s comments on opposition representation in Parliament
Responding to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s comment at Monday’s lunchtime rally that the opposition only wants more seats in Parliament but not more responsibility, WP chief Pritam Singh said: “I welcome him to give us more responsibility. He can have us on committees.”
He added: “If you remember, I believe it was 1959 when the state emblems and flag were being determined. It was an all-party committee in Parliament that contributed to how the Singapore flag would look like. So there’s nothing stopping the Government from reaching out, and we welcome that, because if we want to work in the interests of all Singaporeans, then that is one way to do it.”
Mr Singh also responded to comments by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who had said that opposition parties often urge voters to support them and bring voices into Parliament, but rarely acknowledge that such voices are already guaranteed through the 12 Non-Constituency MP seats.
In response, Mr Singh said NCMPs have no voters and no residents that they can solicit feedback from.
“They don’t have an office under a block in the constituency where they have worked at and, essentially, this is where the PAP wants to keep the opposition. They don’t want elected opposition MPs, and I know why, because only an elected opposition can take any pressure and push the Government,” Mr Singh said.
Also present were incumbent WP MP for Hougang Dennis Tan and party chairwoman Sylvia Lim.
Speaking to the media, Mr Tan highlighted issues raised by Hougang residents, including the cost of living, healthcare costs and public transport.
In particular, he said he has received a lot of feedback about bus service 112, which he has conveyed in Parliament.
“There was some improvement in services, but they are insufficient,” he said, adding that if re-elected, he will continue to raise the issue.
Responding to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s comment at Monday’s lunchtime rally that the opposition only wants more seats in Parliament but not more responsibility, WP chief Pritam Singh said: “I welcome him to give us more responsibility. He can have us on committees.”
He added: “If you remember, I believe it was 1959 when the state emblems and flag were being determined. It was an all-party committee in Parliament that contributed to how the Singapore flag would look like. So there’s nothing stopping the Government from reaching out, and we welcome that, because if we want to work in the interests of all Singaporeans, then that is one way to do it.”
Mr Singh also responded to comments by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who had said that opposition parties often urge voters to support them and bring voices into Parliament, but rarely acknowledge that such voices are already guaranteed through the 12 Non-Constituency MP seats.
In response, Mr Singh said NCMPs have no voters and no residents that they can solicit feedback from.
“They don’t have an office under a block in the constituency where they have worked at and, essentially, this is where the PAP wants to keep the opposition. They don’t want elected opposition MPs, and I know why, because only an elected opposition can take any pressure and push the Government,” Mr Singh said.
Also present were incumbent WP MP for Hougang Dennis Tan and party chairwoman Sylvia Lim.
Speaking to the media, Mr Tan highlighted issues raised by Hougang residents, including the cost of living, healthcare costs and public transport.
In particular, he said he has received a lot of feedback about bus service 112, which he has conveyed in Parliament.
“There was some improvement in services, but they are insufficient,” he said, adding that if re-elected, he will continue to raise the issue.
