Singapore must have a strong and effective government to steer through rising geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on 23 March.
In an interview with The Usual Place podcast, Ong emphasised that Singaporeans recognise this need, even as calls grow for a larger opposition representation in Parliament.
Ong said that just as the Government trusted Singaporeans to follow Covid-19 protocols during the pandemic, he believed that voters would also make the right decisions in the upcoming elections.
“We trust that Singaporeans know what to do,” he said. “So, likewise, in the election, I think it’s the same. Singaporeans know that especially in this geopolitical environment, with so many changes happening, you need a good, effective government.”
Ong warned voters about the risk of political gridlock, emphasising the need to choose a government that can govern effectively.
“You don’t want a government that is embroiled in paralysis – things cannot go forward,” he said. “I think Singaporeans are deeply aware of that, and so they will take it, I believe, step by step and do what is right for Singapore.”
Ong acknowledged that the desire for greater opposition representation had been evident across multiple elections.
He recalled his own experience in the 2011 General Election, where he was part of the People’s Action Party (PAP) team contesting in Aljunied GRC, which was ultimately won by the Workers’ Party.
“Ong later contested the 2015 election in Sembawang GRC under the coattails of former PAP minister Khaw Boon Wan and entered Parliament.
“As much as you try to swim and float, you sink, and the harder you struggle, sometimes the faster you sink,” he described the strong sentiment for an increased opposition presence at the time.
Ong emphasised that the upcoming elections should focus on forming an effective system of government for Singaporeans.
“Of course, in people’s minds now… their thinking is a good outcome – a PAP government, but with opposition as a check and balance. That’s a good system of government. I don’t disagree,” he said.
However, Ong pointed out that the balance between the ruling party and opposition MPs in Parliament is not determined solely by numbers.
He noted that the number of opposition MPs had risen from two before 2011 to 12 today, but said that achieving equilibrium in governance was about more than just parliamentary ratios.
Ong said that many factors contribute to determining the right balance in Parliament, beyond just the proportion of ruling party and opposition MPs.
“Many other factors come into play in deciding where the balance should lie and whether Singapore has become a mature democracy,” he said.
The minister added that voters would assess not only the external environment but also the PAP’s governance and responsiveness.
“What is the PAP’s attitude? Do they listen to me? Are they arrogant, or are they humble? Do they look like they’re listening more? Taking in my suggestions, acknowledging my problems?” he said.
When asked about his potential candidacy in the upcoming General Election, Ong said that it would be up to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to decide where he would be fielded.
Netizens urge PAP to reflect on why voters turn to the opposition
Many netizens commenting on The Straits Times’ Facebook post said that the shift towards the opposition is not necessarily about wanting political instability but rather a reaction to the PAP’s approach to governance.
They argued that the ruling party has not been as responsive to public concerns as it should be.
One commenter wrote that Singaporeans are already burdened by GST and rising utility bills under the PAP leadership.
The user urged the government to respect election results and reflect on voters’ choices instead of attributing opposition gains to political paralysis.
A netizen stated that the PAP had raised GST, water, electricity, and transport costs without considering the concerns of the people.
One commenter said that elected PAP members like Ong led to the “downfalls” of Singapore and urged him to reflect on his party’s actions rather than criticise the opposition.
The user added that bringing more opposition into Parliament would push the PAP to work harder and do better for the people.
One commenter stated that while they agreed with Ong’s assertion that Singaporeans do not want a government embroiled in paralysis, the citizens also do not want an “elitist and arrogant” leadership.
“We want a humble government who RESPECT Singaporean, put our interest as 1st priority and listen to ground voices,” the user wrote. “So, when you point 1 finger at opposition, the remaining fingers are actually pointing back at yourself.”
Another commenter agreed with the need for an effective government but said that some PAP MPs have been prioritising their own interests over the people’s needs.
The user said that having a larger opposition representation in Parliament would push the PAP to improve its governance.
One commenter stated that the demand for more elected opposition members is not about destabilisation but about pushing for checks and balances and forming a government that truly listens to the people.
The user said that Singaporeans don’t need “a government that isn’t just focused on staying in power but is willing to embrace real accountability.”
“The PAP talks about balancing governance with opposition, but when will they stop using their power to stifle diverse opinions and push forward policies that serve their interests more than the public’s?” they stated.
One user argued that the issue is not political paralysis but rejecting “ownself check ownself” in the government and ensuring policies are implemented with fair opposition scrutiny.
They questioned why the government fears having more opposition in Parliament, noting that if policies are beneficial, the opposition would support them for the people.
Responding to Ong’s remarks that Singaporeans do not want a paralysed government, one netizen stated that Singaporeans simply do not want a government that has no checks and balances.
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