Ong Ye Kung says WP must justify its '0.5 in a 1.5-party system' by being 'real alternative' to PAP, Pritam responds
newsare.net
The Workers’ Party (WP) must justify its standing in Parliament as the sole opposition presence by presenting its own alternative visions and policies for Singapore, said Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (Sept 23).This way,Ong Ye Kung says WP must justify its '0.5 in a 1.5-party system' by being 'real alternative' to PAP, Pritam responds
The Workers’ Party (WP) must justify its standing in Parliament as the sole opposition presence by presenting its own alternative visions and policies for Singapore, said Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (Sept 23).This way, a vote for the Opposition is not just an endorsement for more checks and balances on the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), said Ong in his speech on day two of the debate on the President’s Address.“If the WP wishes to position itself as the ‘0.5 in a 1.5-party system’, I think it needs to present a principled, consistent and coherent approach to the main challenges facing Singapore,” added Ong, who is also Minister for Health.WP is the only opposition party this term, with 10 elected MPs and two Non-Constituency MPs — its largest-ever presence in Parliament.Ong said that Singaporeans want PAP to remain in government, but also want an opposition in Parliament “as an alternative voice, and to provide a check”.The MP for Sembawang GRC recalled an interaction with residents who told him that “they were happy with the new facilities at Bukit Canberra”. Read more