Budget 2024 debate: Pritam Singh on being open to diverse views in taking Singapore forward
The real challenge for the People’s Action Party (PAP) is to be open and the extent to which it is prepared to accommodate the diverse views of Singaporeans on how to journey towards the destination envisaged by Forward Singapore, said Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Feb 26), he noted that the PAP has asked for diverse views by demanding that the opposition come up with alternative proposals. Mr Singh said the Workers’ Party (WP) has “responded sincerely” and has not been short of proposals that have ultimately been accepted by the Government in some shape or form, albeit after initial and sometimes significant resistance, he said. He cited the temporary financial support scheme for workers and anti-discrimination legislation to better protect workers as examples. Mr Singh said WP clearly stated these proposals in its election manifesto and its MPs have systematically and repeatedly raised these points along with others in Parliament. He urged the Government to be more forthcoming with information so that Singaporeans can participate more actively in policy discussion. He highlighted the need to address a growing mismatch in Singapore between aspirations and reality, improve retirement adequacy, get employers to show more support for employees and work towards strengthening unity among Singaporeans. Mr Singh pointed out that there is broad agreement on the outcomes sought by Forward Singapore. He stressed that the call for a fair, inclusive and united Singapore must also accommodate and respond to citizen demands for greater transparency and civic participation. Otherwise, Forward Singapore could easily fall victim to political cynicism, he said. Mr Singh pointed out that some of the differences are of the methods and approaches and “we must agree to disagree”, but there may be a few issues where there is consensus on the final outcomes and others where there is none. “This is how a Parliamentary democracy works. A Singapore with a contested and balanced Parliamentary system, with a robust opposition presence playing its role in making for a fair and inclusive society, and ultimately what it does - it makes us a better, more confident and an authentic Singapore,” he said.
The real challenge for the People’s Action Party (PAP) is to be open and the extent to which it is prepared to accommodate the diverse views of Singaporeans on how to journey towards the destination envisaged by Forward Singapore, said Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Feb 26), he noted that the PAP has asked for diverse views by demanding that the opposition come up with alternative proposals. Mr Singh said the Workers’ Party (WP) has “responded sincerely” and has not been short of proposals that have ultimately been accepted by the Government in some shape or form, albeit after initial and sometimes significant resistance, he said. He cited the temporary financial support scheme for workers and anti-discrimination legislation to better protect workers as examples. Mr Singh said WP clearly stated these proposals in its election manifesto and its MPs have systematically and repeatedly raised these points along with others in Parliament. He urged the Government to be more forthcoming with information so that Singaporeans can participate more actively in policy discussion. He highlighted the need to address a growing mismatch in Singapore between aspirations and reality, improve retirement adequacy, get employers to show more support for employees and work towards strengthening unity among Singaporeans. Mr Singh pointed out that there is broad agreement on the outcomes sought by Forward Singapore. He stressed that the call for a fair, inclusive and united Singapore must also accommodate and respond to citizen demands for greater transparency and civic participation. Otherwise, Forward Singapore could easily fall victim to political cynicism, he said. Mr Singh pointed out that some of the differences are of the methods and approaches and “we must agree to disagree”, but there may be a few issues where there is consensus on the final outcomes and others where there is none. “This is how a Parliamentary democracy works. A Singapore with a contested and balanced Parliamentary system, with a robust opposition presence playing its role in making for a fair and inclusive society, and ultimately what it does - it makes us a better, more confident and an authentic Singapore,” he said.
