Even if all 26 Workers’ Party (WP) candidates are voted into Parliament, the Government will still have enough space and focus to govern effectively, said WP chief Pritam Singh on April 28.
Speaking to reporters in Tampines alongside WP chair Sylvia Lim and the party’s Tampines slate, Mr Singh said the ratio of WP MPs to ruling party MPs would still be about “two or three to nine,” even in a best-case scenario for the WP.
“The Government has enough space, enough leeway, enough focus to deal with the issues of today and tomorrow,” he said.
Mr Singh was responding to comments made by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who warned voters against giving the opposition “a little bit more” in hopes of adding a few more voices to Parliament.
Clash Over the Allianz-Income Deal
SM Lee had also referenced the proposed Allianz-Income deal, noting that six PAP MPs and one WP MP raised concerns about it — countering Mr Singh’s earlier claim that PAP labour MPs had been silent.
Mr Singh maintained that PAP labour MPs had not weighed in when the issue first surfaced, and argued that SM Lee had sidestepped the point. “The way the Senior Minister characterised the issue is as if we were in charge. But we weren’t,” he said.
The $2.2 billion Allianz-Income deal was eventually called off in October 2024 after scrutiny.
Ms Lim explained that WP abstained from voting on a related Bill because “to suddenly change the law to affect a live transaction is not good for business certainty.” She argued that such a move warranted deeper scrutiny via a parliamentary select committee.
Foreign Interference, Leadership, and Parliament’s Future
Mr Singh also rebutted criticisms that WP delayed responding to foreign interference concerns. He said he only became aware of the Facebook posts by foreign actors after the authorities issued a statement.
The WP has categorically rejected any foreign interference in Singapore’s elections, he reiterated.
Mr Singh also addressed claims by religious teacher Noor Deros that WP candidates had agreed to push religious community issues. Mr Singh said the claims were false and that no “secret handshake” had taken place.
Rallying Residents
WP’s Tampines GRC team said the reception from residents had been warm, with candidate Michael Thng noting that residents expressed how long they had waited for WP’s presence.
Ms Lim added that it would not be responsible for contesting teams to make promises without fully understanding the area’s finances, responding to PAP criticisms that WP lacks plans for non-incumbent wards.
On Losing Ministers
Finally, Mr Singh pushed back on SM Lee’s suggestion that losing more PAP MPs could weaken governance, noting that when former Foreign Minister George Yeo lost in 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued to function smoothly.
“The Workers’ Party record in Parliament speaks for itself — rational debate, honest positions. Where we agree, we say so. Where we disagree, we explain why,” he said.
Singaporeans head to the polls on May 3, with the WP pushing for a stronger opposition voice in Parliament while reassuring voters that the Government’s ability to govern will remain intact.
