PM Lee on the opposition and quality of debate in parliament | Interview with Lee Hsien Loong

Debates in parliament have become more intense thanks in part to a more active opposition in parliament, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his last interview with the media as PM. Whether this is productive, is unclear. "I think if we spend more and more time thinking up clever arguments and rebutting clever arguments, we will have less and less time thinking up good ideas and implementing good ideas," he said.
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[@theachilles96]

There’s no one way to solve things. You can’t bulldoze your way and not listen to people. That’s why opposition is needed so that they can give you other POVs and opinions. Whether you choose to accept or modify their inputs is up to you, but at least everyone is working towards a better Singapore. Don’t think they’re trying to make Singapore worse.

[@surijahlasmi]

Even PAP MPs didn't show stellar performance in their debates... Most were day dreaming and sleeping in parliament..

[@martinbrock713]

“Opposition MPs will question unpopular policies. They will fight any attempt by the PAP to raise GST. They can question outrageous ministerial salaries and conflicts of interest at Temasek and elsewhere

[@vincecarlo]

FIGHTING With Siblings ALL The Way into PARLIAMENT. 👍👏👏👏

[@8181nuky]

I personally view that people should respect late Mr Lee KY's wishes. Having said that, as gov decided to memorise Mr Lee KY's house, the fight between the sibling inevitably between a topic in the parliament. I do hope you can see the nuance.

[@Pwpc-er2vx]

​@@8181nuky How to respect LKY. He now in hellfire receiving punishment permanently. He seek forgiveness but not forgiven of his sin

[@Hs5687]

Lee Family Circus 🎪 says Volumes of the Quality of SG’s BGs … Cannot resolve Family Dispute But Yet We Trust Them With Our National Security… Hilarious 😂😂😂

[@kengleetan63]

Guess the saying is true. If one cannot have good relation with ones parents and siblings, no matter where are their differences, it reflects upon themselves, as to where the actual fault lies.😆😆

[@LonganLee]

If having to deal with Opposition MPs is deemed taking time, why not Ban it, change the constitution or even ask Majority to vote in a referendum to abolish elections but still formulate it such that it can still be called a democracy? This is possible because English is language is art and language allows lawyers to make lots of money. I mean if the logic is sound and flawless and benefitial and truly superior to current system, then there should be confidence to make the change if that really is better for the spore

[@johnny-ih5es]

There are citizens who are not pleased with some of the govt polices which badly affect their life and would prefer opposition MPs to speak out for them. Opposition MPs are necessary.

[@鲁焚化炉]

What are the policies that badly affected the lives of those people?

[@8181nuky]

No system is perfect. In a one party system, as long as each organisation / regulatory board is independent, and check on each other objectively, one party can indeed check itself. US is a good example of having two big parties. On paper, it is a good idea for each party to be kept in-check. However, the fact is, instead of checking on each other, the GOP is at least trying to do anything they can to be the biggest party. Even with the GOP being the majority for the past few years, it has proven, they cant govern and they simply want to be the only party. PAP has time and time again, proven that they can act fast and make the right decision for the well of the majority. Covid and the past few financial crisis are good examples.

[@mrtienphysics666]

"If Aljunied decides to go that way, well Aljunied has five years to live and repent." Lee Kuan Yew

[@johnny-ih5es]

@@mrtienphysics666 What happened? Gerrymandering went awry?

[@louischen2109]

Appearance of voted opposition party members in Singapore politics could said to reflect the confidence level of the public at large. PAP should used these to feel the satisfaction level of their performance by the public. So far from LKY to his time, the opposition members have gradually increased. More so during his time. This does not implied that they have not achieved their responsibilities but maybe more areas were affecting the general public. Singaporeans should be thankful to PAP for all their contributions towards Singapore. But having secure the ruling position for so many years should not make them complacent, instead as Singapore is changing in many areas partly due to the world is also changing, hence more care is needed to have a balance towards the interest of Singaporean over compromises. Insecurity felt at anytime may disturb the peace we are enjoying for so many years. So be more tolerance towards the sentiments of the local people whom have placed the hope of the ruling party for their survival in their own native land. Should there be a change, the ruling party must be capable to lead Singapore internally and externally, that is with the world. Otherwise please, pride is not the main thing for being voted to be the ruling party but the ability to carry the tasks.

[@martinbrock713]

The opposition is improving whether he cares to admit or not

[@鲁焚化炉]

Improving?😝

[@8181nuky]

Assuming the opposition has improved, it does not mean they are the better party. Vote for the party that has better policy and with the better people who can run it. To be clear, having the better policy, does not simply mean it is the policy that sit well with every individual.

[@LonganLee]

❤Is someone alluding that for best results for sg, democracy may not be the best model? Is China model seem more suitable?

[@james_holder]

Absolutely not. China is undemocratic and the government is not elected by the people

[@Iknow-mw8rf]

Surprisingly majority people said the people are the opposition themselves

[@vincecarlo]

“Then, instead of spending my time thinking of what is the right policy for Singapore, I’m going to spend all my time - I have to spend all my time - thinking what is the right way to fix them, what is the right way to buy own my supporters over, how can I solve this week’s problem and forget about next year’s challenges?” PM Lee

[@mrtienphysics666]

Recently he cried quite often. It is very touching.

[@deschan2246]

​@mrtienphysics666 thats Weak !!!

[@vincecarlo]

@@mrtienphysics666 He got the Onion in him 4G Cry Babies

[@mrtienphysics666]

@@vincecarlo LKY also cried during separation. A leader who cries is a good leader.

[@deschan2246]

​​@mrtienphysics666 thats polical move. Crocodile tears is never a good leader.

[@LonganLee]

Does someone expect in a democracy that Parliament will not have debates? Then?

[@markfish1113]

Without competition, things won't improve. 2 decades ago opposition was weak in debate/ideas and ruling party isn't the best version neither, only focused on attacking opposition arrogantly without improving government policy. Today more ruling party MPs show up in parliament and are forced to defend policies robustly. Livelihoods and policies in Sg were never perfect, its more of oppositions being kept artificially weak. Please remember PAP is only a good presentation of right wing policy such as conquering business, reclaiming (conquering) land and increasing "local" population, there are left and right wing in politics need to be balanced.

[@steventay5834]

We only have one LKY.

[@中華傲訣]

You not only have low standard opposition, but many Singaporeans with the mindset of such populist opposition leaders. It is an uphill task to make Singapore succeed like they did in the past 5, decades.

[@martinarchie2902]

“I would be cautious to suggest that the opposition essentially just wants to dig into the reserves because we do think about the financial prudence question quite carefully.” Pritiam Singh WP

[@鲁焚化炉]

Don't be silly! Don't be deceived by PS!😝

[@johnny-ih5es]

Aww.....the new cat licensing scheme will certainly upset some people. Another reason, although not a political one, that there is a need for opposition MPs in the Parliament.

[@garethl738]

In my assessment, about 2/3 of the PAP frontbench is effective. About 2/3 of the WP MPs are also effective. Most PAP backbenchers are mum, ineffective, forgettable and nondescript.

[@martinarchie2902]

Mr Singh countered the suggestion that the opposition merely wants to dig into the reserves, emphasizing that they carefully consider financial prudence.

[@Milroynishantha3261]

Singapore's President Good Great 🙏🇱🇰 Singapore's President My Hero 🌟🥇🌞 Singapore's President And All Good luck 💜💜💜💜✅❌✔

[@deschan2246]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣 he is full of jokes 🤣😂🤣😂🤣 he is living in his own world.

[@WasLostButNowAmFound]

Summary of his own life in his own words, Autobiography of DesChan the CNA comment section hobo.

[@GASIA-cw8iw]

He ruled Singapore like a medieval church. He played the believers versus non believers game. The behaviours of PAP politicians (believers) in the parliament have been like those obsequious priests. Question, do you think the highly-paid PAP politicians dare to speak up for the people? We Chinese have been around for 5000 years lah. Go and watch Chinese dramas lah, you will understand what I meant above. Mr Lee, the Chinese is for you, you might not have learned about it in the past 20 years. 文死谏、武死战! Ha ha ha!

[@鲁焚化炉]

Don't be silly, Ah girl asia!😝

[@LonganLee]

I have always wondered, given 60odd years UnInterrupted Landslide Support by the majority, will GE worry them of a freak election? If so, would they not feel more reassured if they vote to Abolish Elections? Just thinking from an academic angle. This referendum to abolish would also be a Democratic Decision. 🤭

[@denisechan5992]

Seriously, what good ideas have the government come out to better the lives of the citizens?

[@8181nuky]

What is the definition of a better live? It is subjective and everyone has their own expectation. Putting that aside, even if the point is there are things the government is not doing well, then the opposition can bring it up for debate. However, you will note that the opposition dun. Instead, they attack new policy that do not sit well with people. Increasing GST is an example which the opposition oppose. The fact is, we are an aging country, healthcare will only get more expensive. Just look at other countries (aside from US since there is nothing they are better than us). Yes, UK and Aust (and probably more) have certain level of free healthcare policy, but compare their GST/VAT and individual tax rate to ours. The opposition can suggest ways to help the poorer people but instead, they just attack the policy. Why? In my view, it is easy to simply oppose as just by disagreeing, they are seen as if they are on the side of the people and they get people to vote for them than PAP.

[@kengleetan63]

What ideas? Displaced locals out of jobs, to be given to foreigners! Good idea?😆😆😆

[@deschan2246]

Nothing !!! Thats y he failed

[@martinarchie2902]

Mr Pritiam Singh said the opposition makes proposals based on the information available to them at the time.

[@martinarchie2902]

Pritam Singh challenges DPM Wong’s claim of opposition’s intent to deplete reserves, stressing their careful financial prudence. He emphasizes sustainable growth for Singapore’s future

[@alyciawang2892]

PM LEE👍👍👍👍💪💪💪💪

[@anziar3038]

The quality of the opposition is very clearly visible in the opposition leader being charged for lying under oath. 😂😂

[@8181nuky]

Thats a good one. How in the mind, can people vote for people who lies. I definitely not want a government that resemble Trump and the GOP, even in the slightest way.

[@LonganLee]

Fraser Institute channel recently launched a video hinting sg is not really a demo. I feel so doolan🫣👀🤭😉

[@Iknow-mw8rf]

Who be the pm also same, majority people said they choose the pap party but only getting more and more sufferings and problems from the pap party always of course

[@LonganLee]

Why do you worry if your arguments and policies are superior and flawless? If flawed then of course eventually will be cornered

[@wangjinwen7708]

Can the interviewers take on a more candid approach. All look so serious like world war 3, thousands of ppl die.. why so you need so many interviewers?

[@mrtienphysics666]

Before 1959, PAP was opposition. LKY (his father) really debated very well against David Marshall. The parliamentary (legislative assembly) minutes can be viewed online at the Parliament of Singapore website.