YOUR VIEW: What exactly has WP done so far?

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Like many Singaporeans, I've been anticipating Workers' Party's (WP) rallies. Opposition rallies are interesting even when you are not voting. In any case, the WP's rally in Punggol was quite subdued and the theme was surprisingly low key. Mr Low's statements earlier on Saturday set the stage and the tone.

Essentially, WP is asking Singaporeans to continue voting for them so they can ensure that the PAP government performs. They acknowledged the PAP improvements made but attributed this to WP's presence in Parliament – essentially claiming credit for what the government has done since GE2011.

Here is what I am wondering: What exactly has WP done thus far?

Many Singaporeans, including PAP supporters, accept that having good opposition parliamentarians could be constructive. But we need them to perform their roles vis-à-vis the government like those in parliamentary systems.

It should never be about form, rhetoric and or just being present, pursuing an endless battle of words. This opposition role requires them to challenge, offer alternatives and solutions like a shadow government. This would then sharpen policy-making and allow Singaporeans to consider other possible options.

WP started off very confidently when they tabled their concept for the white paper on Ministerial Pay. It was a great effort. But their alternative pay package which was pegged to civil service MX9 Superscale grade was in fact more attractive than what the ministerial salary review committee offered.

WP left much in doubt as to how their formula was calculated. Since then, no further position on this subject has been offered. Subsequent debates on other matters have gone tactical with details glossed over, claiming they do not have access to information. One wonders if it is a matter of investing time and effort in research.

So what exactly is WP’s goal? They have claimed to be the “co-driver” to slap the “driver” if the latter falls asleep. But to date, there does not appear to be any need to awake the alert driver or to take over driving.

The reality is that the government has responded with solutions by themselves by initiating a range of measures and being on the ground to resolve issues. Although some of the government solutions, such as reducing FW/FTs, property cooling measures, COE, release of lands and building of ECs have been less than effective, the reality is that there are no easy solutions.

The WP did not even raise these concerns. When they did, they griped, and are likely to do so again in subsequent rallies, but they offer no solutions, advice or scrutiny.

In the end, the PAP government is answerable to the electorate and not the WP. We need a skilful driver who knows the direction where we are heading, not a passenger who pretends to be a co-driver.

Fred Yap, 44
IT sales director