WP will focus on checking Govt’s policies to hold it accountable: Pritam

The Workers’ Party will primarily focus on checking the Government's policies and actions in this term of Parliament, said Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh.

- Shermaine Ang

Checking the government is an essential feature of the Westminster system Singapore adopted from the British, said the WP chief, adding that his party will raise alternative proposals and improvements to existing policies.

"Some Singaporeans think that when we ask questions, we are trying to embarrass the Govern ment," he said in his speech on day one of the debate on the Presi dent's Address on Sept 22.

"To borrow an old tech phrase questioning the Government in Parliament is a feature, not a bug."

Mr Singh (Aljunied GRC) said the WP will not file parliamentary questions to "rack up numbers", adding that every question posed is "one that needs asking".

He cited how the party's MPs have asked about topical issues in cluding housing, jobs, bullying and rail reliability, in line with its role to hold the Government accounta ble. The party now has 12 MPs, in cluding Non-Constituency MPs its largest presence in Parliament.

Mr Singh added that the WP wel comes views and suggestions from individuals and organisations to improve policies.

The party believes that the pros pect of the opposition raising is sues in Parliament has a "strong nudging effect" in getting these recognised and addressed by the Government, he said.

In his speech, Mr Singh also touched on the international and do mestic pressures facing Singapore.