Leong Mun Wai: We didn’t expect to win jobs debate with odds against us, we aimed to raise awareness

Singapore — After last week’s marathon debate on jobs and foreign workers’ policies, Progress Singapore Party’s Leong Mun Wai took to Facebook to say that the “real” debate has just begun.

Mr Leong, PSP’s Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, filed a motion that centred around the “widespread anxiety among Singaporeans on jobs and livelihoods caused by the foreign talent policy” that was discussed in the Sept 14 debate.

The ten-hour debate got heated at times and even featured a ‘hot mic’ moment wherein Mr Leong was called “illiterate” by a PAP minister in a whispered comment.

In his most recent post, Mr Leong said that he and fellow PSP NCMP Ms Hazel Poa thanked those who followed the debate.

And for those who “remain unconvinced by our arguments,” he wrote that they hope “they will continue to follow the ‘Foreign Manpower and Population’ issue as it is of paramount importance to our survival as a nation.”

“From now, let’s change the term ‘Foreign Talent’ to ‘Foreign Manpower’ because we recognise now that not all work pass holders can be classified as foreign talent.”

He added that the “real debate has only just begun” even though the debate in Parliament is done.

The NCMP also made clear what he and Ms Poa set out to do.

“We did not come to this debate with the expectation of trumping it. Just as in a soccer match, when the referee, linesmen, and spectators are predominantly against you, the odds of winning are reduced. And when several players are assigned to mark you, there is fewer chances of scoring goals.  

Actually, our aim was to raise these issues so that Singaporeans will be made more aware of them and decipher the truth behind some of these policies. In that respect, I feel we have achieved that goal.”

He also pointed out that if people want more similar debates, more opposition voices should be added in Parliament.

“We know that not only is the game on the pitch unfair, the game outside is worse. If Singaporeans wish for more #PSPJobsDebate-type debates, then it cannot be 83 against 2, it should be 11 against 11. With this unequal representation in numbers, it is difficult to hold them accountable as they have almost free rein in decision making, drowning out any voice of dissent.”

He underlined that what is needed is more sensitivity to “ground sentiments and lived experiences, to improve the lot of Singaporeans as many are struggling under the present economic climate,” as well as being “humble enough to explore alternatives offered by opposing voices, instead of brushing off these dissenting views just because they do not agree with you.”

He also thanked the “hundreds of Singaporeans” who helped him get the needed data for the debate, as well as the PSP Team who “provided great support” to him and Ms Poa. /TISG

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