Opposition ‘lacks track record, claims credit for PAP’s hard work’

SINGAPORE — Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong lashed out at the Opposition last night, criticising its lack of a proven track record, its flip-flopping on policies and for claiming credit for the good work done by the People’s Action Party-led government.

Pointing out that the People’s Action Party (PAP) has presented a “report card” of its work to the people in the past weeks, Mr Lee asked: “Where is their (Opposition) report card? Everyone needs a report card. Otherwise it is not fair.

“They try to make people unhappy with the government (during their rallies), looking for subjects they think will annoy people … So that they (the people) will make a fuss in the elections,” he said in his final rally speech this election season.

Mr Lee, who is also the secretary-general of the PAP, listed some of the contentious issues raised by the Opposition during their rallies including housing, transport, immigration and healthcare.

He said that the government is aware that these are difficult issues and did not shy away from them even when the PAP presented its report card to the people,

“They (Opposition) make rousing speeches. They see which (issue) catches fire. When people boo louder, they make more speeches,” he said at the rally for Jalan Besar Group Representative Constituency (GRC).

Despite the fanfare at its rallies, said PM Lee, the Opposition often makes statements that are inconsistent.

He highlighted how Workers’ Party (WP) secretary-general Low Thia Kiang said during a rally that the Government’s economic policies are “inhuman and heartless because it just goes for growth and ignore people”.

“Did he (Mr Low) say that in Parliament? No. Why? Because if he had said that in Parliament, then we would have argued with him face to face and he would have had no answer,” said Mr Lee.

Instead, Mr Low remarked in Parliament that he welcomed the direction of the Government’s budget, said Mr Lee. The WP had even said on its website that it supports the government’s progressive budget, Mr Lee added.

“When it comes to election rallies, the tiger (WP) comes out. So fierce!”

The Opposition is also free-riding on the PAP’s policies and window-dressing them to make itself appear relevant, PM Lee charged.

“If the Government has a good thing, (the Opposition) asks for two. So we introduced Pioneer Generation Package. It is a good thing. Widely popular … So what does the Opposition say? Cannot oppose it, right? So they say it is not good enough, should be more. More privileges,” he said. “If it is good, ask for more. If it is no good, (it becomes the) PAP’s fault. So easy!”

The Prime Minister then attacked the Opposition for claiming credit for being an intermediary between the Government and the people, and making false claims that they are needed in the Parliament to help convey concerns of the people to the ruling party.

Mr Lee said that if the PAP was not doing a good job, it would be justifiable if people voted against the party, but the argument at the heart of the Opposition’s rhetoric is: “If the PAP is no good, vote for us (the Opposition). We will punish the PAP and go there (into the Parliament) and make them do good. But if the PAP does good, it is also because of the Workers’ Party. We go there and the PAP will do even better. It makes no sense.”

Refuting claims by the Opposition that they speak to people and are more in touch with the ground, the Prime Minister said that “the PAP is already talking to people and we don’t need them (the Opposition) to stand in the middle”.

“Do you think we (PAP) could have been the Government for more than 50 years without talking to people, without having a base (in the grassroots) and without understanding what people need and without reflecting what people aspire to be?” asked Mr Lee.

Speaking in Chinese, Mr Lee said that the Opposition has put forth many suggestions without actually explaining how they will help Singaporeans and how these ideas work.

“The Opposition has very fresh ideas because their ideas have never been put in practice. Their ideas could be amorphous too and they are all very moving. The PAP cannot be like this because we have the responsibility of ensuring national stability, prosperity and the country’s future. If we take things lightly, we will feel a sense of gratification tonight but bad things will happen tomorrow.”