Low urges support for ‘alternative voice’
SINGAPORE — Workers’ Party chief Low Thia Khiang issued a rallying call for working professionals to free themselves of the shackles of worrying about being politically correct when they make decisions or how political leaders would react, as he urged for support to continue his party’s push as an alternative voice.
In the Secretary-General’s Message posted on the WP website on Nomination Day, he added: “Our political leaders should serve the people, not be our political masters.”
And for Singaporeans to be able to think out of the box, he pointed out the need for them to feel free to express themselves and debate issues within the limits of a multiracial and multi-religious society. Similarly, people must “feel secure and be assured of their rights” against unreasonable actions from the Government and political leaders, he said.
Mr Low noted that the nation’s talent pool has expanded to see many Singaporeans excelling in their own fields and internationally. What is required for Singapore to succeed today is also vastly different from the past, he said.
However, “the (People’s Action Party’s) mindset of monopolising power to exercise control over almost every aspect of our society and to set direction for all endeavours is a hindrance to the continuing development of Singapore in achieving excellence to become an outstanding nation”, added Mr Low.
He also urged voters to consider how their vote can send a signal to the PAP that it cannot simply do what it deems fit without taking Singaporeans seriously.
“(Your vote) will signal to what extent the ruling party can deprive you of your power to participate in the policy-making process without consulting you, in the name of acting in your best interest,” said Mr Low.
While there are trade-offs to every policy, he further asked how many more trade-offs Singaporeans should tolerate, and whether the PAP will continue to be able to work well over the next 50 years in deciding on policy trade-offs.
Singaporeans have to decide whether having more PAP MPs in Parliament — resulting in an imbalanced Parliament — is in the best interest of the country’s future, said Mr Low.
“This election is a landmark election in a new era in Singapore, because your vote will set direction for the future of our nation,” he added.
Mr Low acknowledged that voters will need an alternative party deserving of their vote, and pointed to his “best efforts for over a decade” to build up the WP to be a credible choice.
He also highlighted the WP’s track record including managing a town council, for over 70,000 households, that has overcome most of its initial challenges, and only opposing policies that are not in the interest of Singaporeans and the nation.
Thanking supporters who voted for the WP in the 2011 General Election to move Singapore towards a “First World Parliament”, he said there have since been many changes, including the Government shifting more to the left to focus on the concerns of ordinary Singaporeans.
“Your vote changed the course and led to U-turns; change for the better is only beginning. We need to continue the change by sending more Workers’ Party candidates into Parliament,” said Mr Low.
In a separate post, the WP also talked about the changes that had occurred since its members entered Parliament four years ago.
