It’s almost two years since GE2020. Not exactly mid-term to GE2025 but voters may already have some idea even at this stage of what may possibly happen by then, judging by the developments so far. It’s 55-45 that the Opposition can do better in GE2025. It could be 60-40 if only……I’ll explain later.
The Workers’ Party, which did well in the last election, is still reeling from the Raeesah Khan saga – and, don’t forget, the AHTC trial which is not yet over. The party is holding up reasonably well, though. It seems very entrenched in Aljunied GRC and Hougang. Despite the exit of Low Thia Khiang, the WP MPs from the GRC and the SMC are already seasoned and have earned their spurs and right to be in Parliament, more so than quite a number of People’s Action Party newbies. Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, Leon Perera, Faisal Manap, Gerald Giam, and Dennis Tan have become byword politicians.
Holding up well is not quite the equivalent of riding productively on voter desire for more Opposition reps in Parliament to provide a better check on a dominant ruling party which is itself renewing its leadership to meet changing voter demands. There are also other forces at play now.
In its final report on Feb 10, 2022, Parliament’s Committee of Privileges recommended that Pritam Singh and Faisal Manap be referred to the Public Prosecutor for further investigations. And in April, CNA reported the Singapore Police Force as saying the COP has been referred by the PP to the police: “The police have been going through the evidence provided by Parliament and will now be engaging persons relevant to the case as part of the investigations into the possible offenses disclosed.”
So we are still unsure what will happen to the WP leaders.
In Sengkang itself, He Ting Ru, Jamus Lim, and Louis Chua are doubling up to cover the work which would otherwise be done by Khan, with the retired Low turning up to boost morale and do his part. The three MPs – backed by an ever-growing core of WP supporters – will do their job without skipping a heartbeat.
The general rule is that usually, the underdog will work hard and inevitably rise to the occasion – but only if you are nimble and quick to adapt and capitalize on your strengths.
This brings us to the curious case of the Progress Singapore Party’s Leong Mun Wai.
I am not going to dwell on his entanglements with Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin months back, and, just this week, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen over the issue of NSMen and deferment for sports and the arts.
There are those who admire Leong’s persistence and ability to get under the nerve of PAP leaders in trying to extract answers to topics perceived to be under-debated. Such as CECA and Singapore’s sovereign funds. Quote: “PAP can’t handle this guy, can only bully him.”
But there are also others who are getting turned off by a below-par performance. He is not a good public speaker. That, in turn, has given the impression that he is simply not up to it, that he cannot think on his feet.
Is he another Goh Chok Tong, so “wooden” that Lee Kuan Yew had to publicly talk about it to release him from such a psychological disadvantage? Should Leong simply stick to a script in his Parliamentary speeches and not deviate or ramble unnecessarily? Should he speak only in Mandarin?
To be fair to Leong, being able to debate well in Parliament and think on one’s feet is not a common gift. Even the once-designated PM to be Heng Swee Keat was found wanting and had to be sidelined for another to take his place.
The PAP itself has assessed its own weaknesses and has reset itself to meet the changing expectations of younger voters. The WP and the PSP should also not take Parliamentary performance less seriously.
What voters see is at least 60 percent of what counts. Perception matters.
Tan Bah Bah, consulting editor of TheIndependent.Sg is a former senior leader writer with The Straits Times. He was also managing editor of a magazine publishing company.
Read related:
Leong Mun Wai censured for telling Deputy Speaker to “please don’t end the debate” – Singapore News
PSP may have new ace in Leong Mun Wai – Singapore News