'Criticise first, copy later': Chee Soon Juan accuses PAP of adopting SDP's policy ideas
Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan has upped the ante following Health Minister Ong Ye Kung's criticism of the party's policies, suggesting it is the People's Action Party's (PAP) «favourite playbook».
«Four words —criticise first, copy later,» said Dr Chee at a rally in Sembawang on Wednesday (April 30).
«During elections, the PAP will slam the opposition for its alternative proposals, for our ideas.
»But after elections, it will adopt our ideas, but it won't give any credit.«
Dr Chee, who is standing in the new Sembawang West SMC, cited several examples to prove his point.
The first was SDP's proposal on an unemployment insurance scheme which provide retrenched workers with financial assistance and support for re-employment.
»But in the 2016 Bukit Batok by-election, Mr Tharman, who was Deputy Prime Minister, accused the SDP of pushing for populist policies whose idea would be costly,« said Dr Chee.
»Eight years later, Mr Lawrence Wong announced the PAP would implement such a scheme and called it SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support scheme. Same thing, different name, that's all."