Premature to suggest Opposition can form government

On the one hand, People’s Action Party (PAP) secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong has said that “only the PAP is solving problems, planning for the future” and that “only the PAP is putting forth a vision, a road map for Singapore”.

On the other hand, the PAP has updated its objectives to engage Singaporeans in deciding the nation’s future, with its vision of an inclusive nation and a “democracy of deeds”. (“Opportunities for all, upholding fair society part of PAP’s updated vision”; Dec 8)

A democracy of deeds is predicated on a democracy of ideas, arising from all citizens, and not exclusively from a particular political party, as none has a monopoly on ideas about Singapore’s future progress.

In the same way that civil society organisations can contribute to public discourse, opposition Members of Parliament, as elected representatives of the people, can also play a constructive role in Parliament.

They can do this by articulating a diversity of views to address gaps in policy formulation and implementation, and by offering policy alternatives. In this way, they are not merely “checkers”, but also doers, thinkers and leaders serving the nation.

It is an encouraging sign that some parties have attempted to put forth alternative plans for discussion. For example, the Singapore Democratic Party has published policy papers on education, healthcare, housing and population issues.

However, the current state of the Opposition is fragmented and it lacks a critical mass in Parliament, holding fewer than one-third of the number of seats. This means it is unable to exert any significant impact on policy initiatives, or mount a challenge to block or veto any Constitutional amendments.

Before this threshold is reached, it is almost impossible to envisage that the Opposition has the requisite experience to form a viable government.

It is thus premature to raise the prospect of the PAP not forming the government and Singapore being in deep trouble. (“First time PAP has raised spectre of not forming govt: Analyst”; Dec 8) At this stage, this only induces an unhelpful climate of fear over the body politic.