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Pritam Singh, Singapore’s newly appointed opposition leader, tried on Monday to temper expectations that his Workers’ Party could immediately go head-to-head with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in formulating alternative policies, highlighting that he would back the government if it was in the national interest.
In particular, the party, which made historic gains in the July elections, supported efforts to finalize a code of conduct in the South China Sea, Pritam said. In a comprehensive speech, he also called on the government to seize opportunities amid the recession, including those stemming from the political crisis in Hong Kong.
Speaking in parliament, Singh emphasized that while the Workers’ Party would do its best to scrutinize the government with the additional official resources given to it, it was taking on a ruling party that had the entire civil service at its disposal.
“The prime minister has signaled a change in the narrative and culture of how politics and government should be conducted … we expect a different tone of political engagement,” Singh said.
Singh acknowledged the increased resources for the opposition following his election gains. Along with the salary increase for Singh, part of which he has pledged to his party, the government is also paying the bill for three additional legislative aides for his office, each of whom will receive $ 1,300.
The government will also pay the bill for a full-time administrative assistant.
Compared to the government, which has 85,000 members of the civil service at its disposal, “the leader of the opposition office will not have the breadth and depth of the ruling party to propose alternative policies,” Singh said.
Still, the Workers’ Party “will promote meaningful alternatives for deliberation and debate,” he said.
The party has chosen not to create a shadow cabinet given its limited number of deputies.
But the 10 deputies will be organized into five groups that will cover broad areas of basic politics.
And amid the coronavirus recession, Singh urged the government to seize the opportunities that were emerging in the wake of the crisis.
“For example, seismic political changes in Hong Kong may lead some international companies to relocate to other jurisdictions. We must aim to welcome those who seek to move, ”he said.
But at the same time, the government needed to do more to address growing concerns about discriminatory hiring practices and perceptions that locals were being displaced from professional, managerial, executive and technical (PMET) jobs, he said.
“The problem is that we just don’t know enough. And the emptiness has given space for a more toxic conversation to ferment, ”Singh said. “The government needs to raise its signature in this regard, especially since the issue is so hot that it often generates a lot of heat but very little light.”
[[nid:497169]]Also in his speech, Singh said that the government’s current foreign and defense policy was among a handful of issues that his party believed “should not change in Singapore.”
“These policies are well considered and prioritize Singapore’s interests while seeking long-term cooperation with other countries and international organizations,” Singh said.
In particular, the opposition chief said his party supported the government’s efforts within the 10-nation ASEAN bloc and ongoing talks to conclude a code of conduct between the group and China on the disputed South China Sea.
While it is not a claimant state in the dispute, the republic has said it expects the dispute to be resolved in accordance with international law.
“As a small maritime nation, and separately as a trading nation, the inviolability of international agreements and the observance of the rule of law is necessary to discourage the arbitrary behavior of the most powerful states,” Singh said.
The opposition chief said the Workers’ Party backed the PAP in several other policies that “have become part of Singapore’s DNA,” including its intolerance of corruption and policies aimed at promoting racial and religious harmony.
The role of foreigners in the workforce, as well as improving the skills of local workers, are expected to figure heavily in the ongoing debate, which runs through Friday.
Prime Minister Lee is expected to make an important speech during the debate.
It previously chose not to hold its annual National Day Rally, which typically takes place two weeks after the country’s birthday on August 9, in light of the pandemic.
This article was first published on the South China Morning Post.
