Lam-Goh spat: Pritam Singh lays out WP’s perspective on e-scooter ban, calls Opposition unity a ‘real challenge’

SINGAPORE — Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh on Wednesday (Nov 13) weighed in on a row between opposition politician Goh Meng Seng and Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min over the ban of e-scooters from footpaths, as he laid out the WP’s perspective on the issue as well as the party’s approach to opposition politics.

Mr Singh posted his comments on Facebook along with a CNA article headlined, “Lam Pin Min calls out 'irresponsible and abhorrent' actions of opposition party member at PMD rider dialogue”. Mr Goh, the secretary-general of the People’s Power Party, had gatecrashed a dialogue between Dr Lam and e-scooter riders on Tuesday.

Appearing to draw a line between Mr Goh’s actions and the WP, Mr Singh said that Opposition unity “remains a real challenge” — echoing the long-held views of his WP predecessor Low Thia Khiang — as a result of differences among parties and individuals.

“The reality is that different parties and individuals have different philosophies, both ideologically and in terms of how we engage the issues of the day,” said Mr Singh, adding that WP believes an Opposition should play “an important check and balance role”.

“To that end, our objective is not the destruction of our political opponents. It is beyond the horizon — a better Singapore for all Singaporeans. The way the WP approaches opposition politics is a reflection of this.”

Mr Goh was previously a WP member until after the 2006 General Election, where he had been fielded as a candidate in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency.

WP’s approach is one of being a “loyal opposition”, said Mr Singh.

“But not every opposition party believes the same thing… To a large extent, this explains why opposition unity — notwithstanding friendly discussions and relationships amongst opposition members — remains a real challenge.”

‘POLITICISING THE ISSUE’

Those who were present at Tuesday’s dialogue, which was closed to the media but meant for personal mobility device (PMD) users and retailers, among others, told TODAY that Mr Goh and Dr Lam had several exchanges.

At one point, Dr Lam accused Mr Goh of politicising the issue and asked him to give others a chance to ask questions, they said.

Later, Dr Lam posted on Facebook singling out Mr Goh’s presence, but did not name him. He said: “Most people who (went) down today had genuine reasons to be there — except for a member of an opposition party who came to politicise the issue and stoke the emotions of those present.”

Such actions are irresponsible, abhorrent and do not benefit anyone, he said. “(They) distracted us from the main objective of giving the PMD-riding community support during this period and helping them to understand that there is help available for them.”

On Wednesday, Mr Goh responded to Dr Lam in a video on his Facebook page, saying he is giving the latter “a lesson in politics”.

“People’s livelihoods are politics, people’s stomachs are politics, people’s rice bowls are politics. When you break people’s rice bowls, that is very serious politics.

“I did not politicise the issue, but the fact that if you break 7,000 people’s rice bowls, you created a political situation, and not me,” he says, referring to the number of food-delivery riders who use PMDs and are affected by the ban.

“So, Dr Lam, please, don’t be a crybaby. You have created a serious situation for people’s livelihoods. You break people’s rice bowls, and that is politics. And as a politician, as your opponent, I will have to raise it.”

By his own account, Mr Goh said he had tried to question Dr Lam over the S$7 million assistance package for food-delivery PMD riders, which he described as “a knee jerk reaction”. The scheme would allow riders to trade-in their e-scooters for power-assisted bicycles that are allowed on public roads.

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“What he is doing is to put their lives to higher risk of getting hit and injured by cars on the road,” said Mr Goh in his post. He also cited a parliamentary debate on the issue in August, when Dr Lam had stated that banning PMDs from footpaths would push riders onto roads, likely causing more deaths because cars, buses and lorries move at greater speeds

Dr Lam, who later spoke to the media after the dialogue, addressed this point, stating that the authorities are working with food delivery companies on the best option for the riders.

Said Dr Lam: “We know that bicycles have been on the roads for many years. Motorists are more familiar with looking out for bicycles, and in fact if you look at the roads even on weekends, there are actually many people who ride bicycles on the roads.

“But whatever modality (it is), I think it is important for all users to exercise caution to safeguard (themselves) and ensure that they do so in a safe and responsible manner.”

Weighing in on the e-scooter ban from footpaths, Mr Singh said WP Members of Parliament and town councillors have come across Aljunied and Hougang residents who had suffered “painful injuries arising from collisions or report near misses”, and that the topic of the safety of children on public paths comes up frequently.

“On the other hand, the food delivery business has provided Singaporeans, especially the low-income and those who seek to supplement their income, with on-demand work. In many cases, the opportunities provided by GrabFood, Foodpanda, et cetera, go a long way to support families where breadwinners find it difficult to secure a job,” he said.

Mr Singh said he believes that PMDs will make a comeback in Singapore when regulations are “fine-tuned” and the infrastructure “catches up”, although he admitted that the latter is easier said than done.