Opposition lunch: WP chief Pritam Singh shares ‘delightful’ meal with PSP head Francis Yuen, discovers a common bond

When Pritam Singh had lunch recently with Francis Yuen, the two men discovered they had more in common than being heads of opposition parties: Mr Yuen and Mr Singh’s father had been officers in the Singapore Armed Forces at the same time.

Mr Singh, the Leader of the Opposition, is the Secretary-General of the Workers’ Party and while Mr Yuen holds the same position at the Progress Singapore Party. The WP and the PSP are the only opposition parties with members serving in the current Parliament.

The WP chief posted a photo of the two men at lunch on Facebook on Thursday evening (May 26), calling their meal together “delightful.”

He said that he had only met the PSP head a few weeks ago in person at a National University of Singapore panel discussion, which is likely to have been the Top Guns Forum 2022, where they appeared with fellow panellists Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah and Singapore Democratic Party chair Dr Paul Tambyah.

“Francis has flown the flag high both in and out of the country, first serving as a colonel in The Republic of Singapore Air Force and later leading international MNC Honeywell in China.”

He then added that some time ago, when Mr Yuen was in his mid-20s, he and Mr Singh’s father were both regulars in Singapore Armed Forces.

“They took night classes together, with a view to sit for their A-level examinations. Both did splendidly, with dad going on to law school at NUS, and Francis studying business at the same university where he won prizes for academic achievement.”

The LO then thanked Mr Yuen for their lunch, and added, “May Singapore continue to evolve to have a more balanced political system, and may more credible and capable Singaporeans of all stripes step up to make a positive difference in this country we call home.”

Shortly after Mr Singh put up his post, it was shared by Mr Yuen, who called their lunch “wonderful,” and added that they had discussed a number of personal stories as well as their views on many issues that affect Singapore.

He added, “Singaporeans deserve credible alternative choices and a political landscape that encourages able people to step forward selflessly to serve the interests of our country and of our people.”

The PSP head also noted the commonality in their past: “What a small world! Pritam’s dad and I knew each other when we were young officers in the SAF. Will be looking forward to catching up with him soon!” he wrote.

Not much is known about Mr Singh’s father, but a 2019 Lianhe Zaobao story identifies him as Amarjit Singh, who specializes in criminal law and is a consultant in litigation and dispute resolution practice. The story adds that between 1970 and 1986, he was a SAF officer.

Mr Yuen served as PSP’s Assistant Secretary-General to longtime former PAP parliamentarian Tan Cheng Bock between 2019 and 2021, before being made party chief last year. /TISG

Pritam Singh @ NUS Top Guns Forum 2022: “We need the best Singaporean talent to undertake the role of a loyal Parliamentary opposition”