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SINGAPORE – The debate on the President’s speech, the first of the XIV Parliament, began on Monday (August 31).
Here are some animated moments from the session, which lasted approximately six hours and saw 19 MPs speak on the main issues facing the Government.
1. SPEECH BY PRITAM SINGH AS A LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION
The head of the Workers’ Party (WP), Pritam Singh, who was appointed leader of the opposition after his party won an unprecedented 10 seats in Parliament in the recent general elections, used the longest time (40 minutes) that He has been assigned to delve into opposition. role in policy debate in Parliament.
In his 33-minute speech, Singh said that he and his colleagues at WP will have to work harder. “We will have to ask ourselves difficult questions before criticizing the government’s policy. The main one is, what would we do if we were in charge.”
But, he added, there must be clarity on “what the opposition can and cannot do.”
With 10 MPs in Parliament, the Task Force is well below the resources available to the government, he said, and it was important for Singaporeans to take this into account when forming their expectations of the opposition.
While the WP will not form a shadow cabinet due to lack of resources, it announced that it will organize to discuss policies in five areas important to Singaporeans.
The five areas are: health, aging, and retirement adequacy; jobs, businesses and the economy; education, inequality and cost of living; housing, transportation and infrastructure; and national sustainability, a broad area on how to ensure Singapore continues to prosper into the future for succeeding generations.
2. DPM HENG SWEE KEAT THANKS TO retired MPs
Vice Premier Heng Swee Keat spent time in a comprehensive speech to pay tribute to the retired MPs, including former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong and former WP Low Chief Thia Khiang.
Heng recalled that Goh’s advice during the 2007-2009 global financial crisis left a lasting impression on him and continues to guide his work during the pandemic.
He was then managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), while Goh was then its president. So banks around the world were in trouble, and MAS had to make a momentous decision on whether to seek the president’s approval for a $ 150 billion guarantee on all bank deposits backed by Singapore’s past reserves, Heng said. .
“I was glad to have his wise advice. Mr. Goh taught us that we must face difficult decisions head-on. It was a lesson that stuck with me,” added DPM Heng, who thanked his former bosses at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. . also, namely former Minister of Commerce and Industry Lim Hng Kiang and former Minister of Transportation Khaw Boon Wan, who was permanent secretary of the MTI when DPM Heng was in the ministry.
He also made a special mention of Mr. Low, who had been an opposition MP from 1991 until this year, when he retired from politics.
“He is a passionate speaker at election rallies, but when it comes to the crisis, when our national interest is at stake, he joins the Government,” said the DPM, adding that Mr. Low has deep convictions about the language, culture and heritage. and the long-term success of Singapore. “The last time I spoke to him, he told me that he was very happy playing with his grandson. I am glad he recovered from the fall and I wish him good health.”
3. DENNIS TAN, MURALI PILLAI MUST ABOUT CRIMES IN ELECTIONS
The heat of the July general election may have cooled off, but it seems to have left a mark on WP’s Mr. Dennis Tan (Hougang) and PAP’s Mr. Murali Pillai (Bukit Batok).
The two crossed swords over Singapore’s political culture on Monday (Aug 31) while reviewing two incidents that allegedly took place in Tan’s single-member constituency during the elections.
One involved two complaints that were made to the Elections Department (ELD) about signs that WP had posted that were said to be below the required minimum height, Tan told the House.
Later, a resident informed her that she had seen PAP representatives place their posters below the original height.
On another occasion, the PAP team planted match flags in front of their posters, blocking their content, Tan said.
But, he added, it would not be wise for the PM to do the same in districts where the PAP is the incumbent, so that a culture of tit-for-tat is not manifested and creates a divisive political culture.
To this, Mr. Murali asked whether Mr. Tan would accept that the ELD would deal with such complaints impartially, and questioned the basis for his suggestion that the PAP would use incumbency against opponents unfairly.
Mr. Tan said he was not suggesting that the PAP was using its power to do these things. Rather, the incidents demonstrate “very mean and bad policies” that should not be encouraged, he added.
He also acknowledged that the ELD had been impartial in handling complaints.
4. COMMITMENT TO PARLIAMENTARY BUSINESSES
Parliamentary processes are complicated and can trip newbies, even veterans.
Shortly after the Second Minister for Human Resources, Tan See Leng, concluded his speech on Monday (August 16), WP Chief Pritam Singh raised his hand for clarification.
But the Speaker of Parliament, Tan Chuan-Jin, did not see it. Perhaps the three hours of speeches by MPs had given him something to think about? He absentmindedly asked for a 15-minute break.
When the House resumed its activities, Tan was quick to rectify his mistake, but not without a touch of humor. “Excuse me, I missed your hand. I must have been too hungry at this point,” he joked. Mr. Singh shrugged, “Okay, Mr. President, thank you.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Tan delivered his keynote speech smoothly as he peppered it with anecdotes and Chinese idioms to illustrate how businesses will be supported to adapt to the new challenges brought on by the Covid-19 crisis.
But in an exchange with the leader of the opposition, he seems to be hungry for more, that is, questions.
After answering Mr. Singh twice, he continued to sit in the front row, unaware that the exchange was over.
Education Minister Lawrence Wong, seated four seats to his left, came to the rescue. He caught his eye, nodded, and indicated that he could return to his seat in the second row. Dr. Tan hurriedly got to his feet, masked himself, and returned to his seat.
5. WORKING TOWARDS A COMMON GOAL
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, WP boss Pritam Singh and Mr. Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC) share a common love for football, although they support different teams in the English Premier League.
Perhaps inevitable, it served as an inspiration to Mr. Seah when he spoke of how political discourse and debate should take place without leading to polarization and division.
“Having played soccer with both of you, I can say that Pritam, you are the best player among the three by far,” Seah said with a smile, drawing laughter from the House.
When they were in the Singapore Armed Forces, they had different ranks, Seah noted. Mr. Tan held the high rank of Brigadier General, while “many ranks below that” were Mr. Singh, a major, and Mr. Seah, a captain.
Their common experiences and interests, despite some differences, parallel how MPs of different political persuasions can continue to find common purpose and remain united when debating issues in the House, noted Mr. Seah.
“We all have different vocations, but in our own way, we all love our country. And we want to improve everyone’s life. Also my aspiration for Singapore: our unity must be in the little things: caring for each other, loving for the family, fighting for the person next to you. “
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