‘Speak up, Singaporeans’, so everyone knows what real issues are, says ex-MP Inderjit Singh on online debate sparked by ST column

SINGAPORE — Former People’s Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Inderjit Singh on Friday (June 8) waded into the fray kicked up by the response from Mr Lim Yuin Chien – press secretary to Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat – to a column written by former Straits Times editor Han Fook Kwang.

In his post on Facebook, Mr Singh said he was of the opinion that there was a thinking in the Government that views such as those expressed by Mr Han were from a vocal minority, and that “the mindset probably is that a silent majority don’t feel the same”.

Calling on Singaporeans to speak up, the former Ang Mo Kio GRC MP said: “This is why it is useful for more people to speak up sincerely so everyone knows what the real issues Singaporeans are concerned with.

“Listening with true humility and sincerity is critical if we want a meaningful Singapore conversation,” he added.

Mr Singh’s post came after Mr Heng’s aide wrote a letter (June 5) to The Straits Times that was critical of Mr Han’s column, which was headlined, “Ministers, please speak plainly to the people”.

In his June 3 column, Mr Han said he was unsure if the speeches made by ministers in Parliament in May to discuss the Government’s agenda for the coming years connected well with the average Singaporean.

He said the speeches were “mostly about abstract stuff”, and suggested that leaders “use the language of ordinary people”, as Singaporeans “must believe you understand his anxieties before he will listen to what your thinking and plans are to make his life better”.

Giving an example, Mr Han suggested that they could tell Singaporeans: “I promise you that if you have had a full working life in Singapore, in any job, whether you are a cleaner, a security guard, a taxi driver or a waiter, when you retire at 65, you will have enough to live a good and decent life.

“We will make sure it happens – don't worry about the details or how we will do it. The only thing we ask is that you must do your part and be serious about your job.”

Mr Lim took issue with how Mr Han’s column began with a plea to use simple language but “then morphs into a dare to ministers to make sweeping promises”. He also disagreed with the retirement example, as Mr Lim said: “Plain speaking about adequate retirement would also entail telling people some 'hard truths'.”

He added in his response: “For example, the Central Provident Fund scheme is adequate for most Singaporeans, and Silver Support will help top up for those who did not earn much while working.

"However, as people live longer, their needs in old age will go up. Then, we will have to work longer, save more while working, or have less to spend in retirement."

Adding that plain-speaking applied to journalists and commentators, Mr Lim went on to say that “politicians and journalists who advocate simplistic policies lose credibility, faith in democracy is undermined, and ultimately, voters or their children bear the cost.

“The easiest five words to utter in politics are: ‘I promise you free lunches.’ But that's not plain speech. That's pandering and populism."

The response from Mr Lim this week drew reactions on social media, as many deemed it a harsh put-down. In his Facebook post, Mr Singh said he "agreed that the responses from the government unfortunately do not reflect humility".