PAP wants to confine opposition to NCMP scheme, says WP chief Pritam Singh
The People's Action Party (PAP) wants to «keep» the opposition confined to the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) scheme, as only elected opposition members «can pressure and push the government», said Workers' Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh today (April 29).
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah had said at a lunchtime rally on Monday (April 28) that there will be at least 12 opposition members in Parliament under the NCMP scheme, and that alternative voices are «guaranteed».
Asked for his thoughts on Indranee's rally speech, Singh told reporters on Tuesday that for opposition members to speak up faithfully and be connected to the ground, they have to be voted into Parliament.
«NCMPs have no voters, have 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 MP can pressure and push the government."