Pritam Singh’s Failed Appeal and Questions on Ethics, Accountability and Politics
Anyone who holds public office, whether government or opposition, is expected to uphold the same standard when giving evidence under oath. The court’s dismissal of Pritam Singh’s appeal confirms that the findings against him stand, including the conclusion that he gave false evidence to the Committee of Privileges. The facts of this case have been […]
“Fund the Child, Not the School”? The Irony of Kenneth Tiong’s Proposal
Kenneth Tiong’s recent adjournment motion, “Fund the Child, Not the School”, calls for a universal portable preschool voucher, arguing that subsidies should follow the child rather than the institution. On the surface, this sounds pro-child. Yet the irony is hard to miss: much of his speech focuses not on improving access or outcomes for children, […]
Why Pritam Singh’s Podcast With Kelaur Sekejap Raises Red Flags
The first thing to note about the podcast with Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan is that Pritam Singh invited himself to do this podcast. This is unusual when he has reportedly turned down local podcast appearances. Why bypass local platforms for a Malaysian one? The optics suggest a deliberate choice to engage a foreign political […]
Why Did Pritam Singh Invite Himself to a Malaysian Podcast to Talk About Singapore Politics?
The recent appearance of Mr Pritam Singh, Leader of the Opposition, on the Keluar Sekejap podcast has raised more than a few eyebrows. While politicians routinely engage media platforms to share their views, what makes this case unusual and troubling is the context, the platform, and the implications for Singapore’s political sovereignty. Let’s start with […]
The WP’s Defence Of Pritam Singh’s Podcast With Keluar Sekejap Falls Short
The Workers’ Party’s defence of Pritam Singh’s appearance on the Keluar Sekejap podcast doesn’t stand up to scrutiny. Let’s unpack it. They claim: “One PAP member remarked ‘Pritam did well’… PAP members happily posed for pictures with one of the hosts… These actions would lead any Singaporean to an irresistible conclusion: that the Leader of […]
Old enough to drink and drive at 18, but ready to vote?
Should the voting age be lowered to 18? Some, including politicians, have argued that if an 18-year-old can get married or handle a rifle, then they are ready to vote. Let’s call this the NS argument. The NS Argument One thing is clear: if 18-year-olds who have just enlisted in the army are sent to […]
Rowing Together in Choppy Waters: Why Singapore’s Sampan Must Stay Afloat
The Workers’ Party has spoken about ships and boats—arguing that, unlike ships, boats cannot withstand the storms. To that, I say: do not look down on the humble sampan. Because it’s not the size of the vessel that determines success. It’s the skill of the captain at the helm. Even the mighty Titanic can sink […]
Giving a Suggestion is Not Proposing a Policy. Governance is not a game of who-said-what-first.
There’s a growing tendency by some to conflate making suggestions with actual policy-making — and I find this both misleading and unfair. Take the Workers’ Party, for instance. A common refrain from them is that the Government often “adopts their proposals in some form.” But when one takes a closer look, many of these so-called […]
The Minimum Wage Policy: A Well-Meaning but Ultimately Counterproductive Approach
At first glance, the Workers’ Party’s proposal for a universal minimum wage may appear to offer a straightforward path to better livelihoods for low-income workers. It promises a guaranteed income floor and seeks to reduce inequality. However, despite its good intentions, such a policy carries significant economic risks and unintended consequences that could ultimately harm […]
We’re not against wealth tax but good intention is not enough. Implementation matters.
The Workers’ Party’s (WP) proposal to introduce a wealth tax. Here’s what I think. On the surface, the idea seems simple and appealing: tax the ultra-rich to support broader social equity. But dig a little deeper, and the reality is far more complex — especially for a small, open economy like Singapore’s. To be clear: […]