More opposition voices in Parliament will not weaken the Govt, says PSP

The leaders of the opposition PSP spent the last day of campaigning assuring voters that having more opposition voices in Parliament would not weaken the Government, but instead result in more robust debates and better policies for Singaporeans.

- Chin Hui Shan and Osmond Chia

Speaking on May 1 on the sidelines of a walkabout at Boon Lay Place Market – part of the West Coast-Jurong West GRC the party is contesting – PSP chairman Tan Cheng Bock said the PAP's claims of a weakened Government were "very old".

More opposition voices in Parliament would mean more diverse views and ideas in the Chamber, said Dr Tan. He added that the PSP's Non-Constituency MPs – party chief Leong Mun Wai and first vice-chair Hazel Poa – have demonstrated their ability to robustly debate policies, and that the PSP is a credible opposition party.

Saying that opposition parties, if voted in, represent the views of the people, Dr Tan added: "You don't brush it off (and say) that 'there are too many (opposition members) and we will be weakened'."

Mr Leong said the PAP has lost ministers and GRCs before, but it did not seem to have weakened the Government.

"Would a weak Government be able to pass through or bulldoze the GST (increase) in 2022? It must be a strong Government, with all the power to amend Constitutions... So, the argument that the minister had about losing some minister or GRC will weaken the Government is not quite accurate," Mr Leong said.