Voters must choose if they want weaker govt with more opposition, or strong mandate for PAP, says ESM Goh

Voters must decide if they want more opposition in Parliament and a weaker government, or to give Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and the PAP a strong mandate to govern Singapore, said Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

- Ng Keng Gene

In a Facebook post on April 25, ESM Goh noted that many voters want the PAP to form the government and "understandably, also want to return more opposition candidates to Parliament".

"This is like wanting to spend more today and save more for a rainy day at the same time. The reality is voters cannot have both," wrote Mr Goh, 83, who was Singapore's second prime minister.

Citing his personal experience, ESM Goh said the prime minister of a small country needs "both quality and quantity of MPs in Parliament to have political strength and stature to lead Singapore, especially at a critical juncture of geopolitical rivalry, tension, and disruptive challenges".