PAP a ship that is over capacity, ‘like the Titanic’

SINGAPORE — The Workers’ Party (WP) yesterday hit back at Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong’s comments on Sunday that likened the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) to a “cruise ship with a definite direction” while the Opposition party was like a gambling ship that goes nowhere.

Speaking to reporters after a visit to the Geylang Serai market, WP chief Low Thia Khiang took the analogy further and aimed a jibe at the People’s Action Party. Referring to the PAP, Mr Low said: “I am afraid the cruise ship is over capacity limit, and it used to be a luxury cruise ship.”

He added: “The designer’s claim that it is not sinkable, the name is Titanic. There are not enough life boats, no preparation or provision for failure. Thank you, Mr Goh, for reminding us.”

Mr Goh had told reporters during a visit to WP-held Aljunied GRC that the PAP was a “cruise ship” whose captain, members and quality are known to people. In contrast, the WP is like a gambling ship which is “very exciting ... you can gamble, but you go nowhere”.

Mr Goh had added: “If you’re a gambler, then of course you take the casino ship. But if you’re not a gambler and you worry about your children’s future, you’ll take the other ship.”

At a WP rally yesterday in Marine Parade GRC, WP candidate Yee Jenn Jong — who is leading the Opposition party’s team to contest the constituency — also referred to Mr Goh’s comments.

“ESM seems to like cruise ships. ... He said the PAP ship has a clear destination. Yes, it is a clear destination to a population of 6.9 million,” he said, alluding to the population planning parameter in the White Paper on Population that caused a public outcry in 2013.

Taking another jibe at Mr Goh — who had set a goal for Singaporeans to attain a Swiss standard of living when he was Prime Minister — Mr Yee added: “The PAP ship is sailing there even though Singaporeans have told them very clearly that they have rejected this destination. It is sailing with a Swiss standard of living for selected elites but a Swiss cost of living for all of us.”

Mr Yee pointed out that it was the PAP government that decided to build casinos here. “Hey, who put the casinos in Singapore? Did the WP put it in? No, the WP had rejected casinos when it was debated in Parliament. I’m sorry, ESM is mistaken, casinos are on PAP ships on the way to 6.9 million.

“The WP ship is on a journey towards a dynamic population for a sustainable Singapore.”

In response, Mr Goh wrote on Facebook later: “Titanic sank on its maiden voyage. The PAP cruised over fifty years under three captains. All onboard are safe.”