Pritam Singh calls for more debate, select committees in Parliament

In a time of transition and global uncertainty, both the opposition and PAP backbenchers are expected to play a greater role in scrutinising government policies and speaking up for Singaporeans, said Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh.

Mr Singh, who leads the Workers' Party, was speaking at the opening of Singapore's 15th Parliament to congratulate Mr Seah Kian Peng on his re-election as Speaker.

The House will have to ensure that the voices of Singaporeans are heard in the chamber, he said.

"Throughout this parliamentary term, Singaporeans will have concerns and questions about the nation's direction. More conversation, debate, openness and transparency will be the order of the day," Mr Singh added.

He said the WP's MPs will play their part in supporting Mr Seah's efforts to "raise the standing of our Parliament and our country, both within and beyond the chamber".

The 15th Parliament opens amid great uncertainty both externally and domestically, with transition taking place on both fronts, Mr Singh noted.

He said key concerns include issues such as job security, youth unemployment and underemployment, and skills upgrading amidst an AI age. Singaporeans have also raised other concerns such as integration and an ageing society.

Mr Singh pointed out that a few weeks ago, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong had raised the prospect of 5 per cent growth in Singapore. Mr Gan had said at the MTI economic dialogue that the Republic should aim to grow its economy faster than 2 to 3 per cent each year, perhaps even beyond 5 per cent "in a very good year".

On Sept 5, Mr Singh said this has prompted questions from the public about how such growth would be achieved, whether through productivity gains or increases in labour.

The question of where growth is going to come from becomes more significant when seen in the context of Singapore's already serious constraints in land, manpower and carbon, he added.

Mr Singh also reiterated his earlier call for more select committees in Parliament, saying these committees can ensure that the public is better informed about the choices and trade-offs that shape Singapore's policies.

"Select committees, if organised effectively with a non-partisan purpose, represent a valuable means for Parliament to address, communicate with and assuage Singaporeans over national priorities and concerns," he said.

Such committees can play a vital role in forging unity in difficult and challenging times of transition, like the one that Singapore will traverse in the years to come, he added.