Red Dot United (RDU) candidate Kala Manickam said having more opposition MPs in Parliament would strengthen, not weaken, the Government, as they bring fresh ideas and perspectives to the table.
Speaking during a walkabout in Jurong Central Plaza on April 29, Madam Kala, 57, responded to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s comments that more opposition voices could weaken governance amid challenges. She said: “We are bringing in new ideas, debating issues, and co-creating – which is better for Singaporeans.”
Madam Kala also criticised the Government’s policies for stretching Singaporeans financially. “If the policies provided stress relief and happiness, people might not seek out the opposition,” she said, noting that the small number of opposition MPs limits their influence.
Responding to Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu’s remarks that tough decisions like the GST hike come with trade-offs, Madam Kala argued that better planning could have prevented the current struggles. She also rejected Ms Fu’s view that debates do not lead to better governance. “Debates develop a ‘thinking society’,” she said.
On government spending, Madam Kala pointed to RDU’s proposal to distribute a $200 dividend to Singaporeans using budget surpluses, estimating the cost at $2 billion to $4 billion without touching the reserves. “If we are unable to use the surplus, I will find ways to raise money,” she added, citing Singaporeans’ generosity during crises.
Madam Kala, a former SAF officer, said she hopes to follow the compassionate example set by former Jurong GRC MP and current President Tharman Shanmugaratnam. “If they can love Tharman, they can love Kala also,” she said.
Madam Kala is contesting Jurong Central SMC, a new single-seat ward carved from parts of the former Jurong GRC and Yuhua SMC.
