PM Wong looks forward to constructive, robust debates in Parliament; WP put up a ‘tough fight'
PM Lawrence Wong noted that the WP had fielded a strong lineup of candidates and had many young people with a 'desire to contribute and serve'. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO
PM Wong looks forward to constructive, robust debates in Parliament; WP put up a 'tough fight'
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SINGAPORE – The WP gave the PAP a tough fight as expected and will now have an increased and continued strong presence in Parliament, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
This will also give the WP the opportunity to refresh some members in its slate, he added, noting that the opposition party had fielded a strong lineup of candidates and had many young people with a 'desire to contribute and serve'.
The WP will have 10 elected seats and two Non-Constituency MP seats if they choose to accept them, PM Wong said at a post-election press conference in the early hours of May 4.
This means they will have 12 MPs in the 15th term of Parliament, up from 10 now.
The WP retained Aljunied and Sengkang GRCs, as well as Hougang SMC. Its candidates in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC were also the losers with the highest percentage of votes, earning them the two NCMP seats.
PM Wong added that he respects the opposition presence in Parliament.
'I have always taken their suggestions and views seriously, and I will continue to do so,' he said.
'So I look forward to the contributions of opposition members in Parliament, because Parliament is where key national issues are discussed, and I am sure we will have constructive and robust debates there.'
On some issues, the PAP and the opposition may have to agree to disagree, he said.
But at the same time they must – where critical national issues are concerned – uphold a shared responsibility to come together and to advance Singapore's interests together, he added.
PM Wong, who led the PAP to a win with 65.57 of the vote, said the desire for more opposition MPs and alternative voices in Parliament was one issue that came up in this election.
He said he respects Singaporeans with these views, and understands the sentiments.
'I would also ask that they consider the merits of the perspective of having a good, strong team in government to work effectively for you,' he added.
'Because, in the end, the key is to have effective governance that can take Singapore forward.'
PM Wong also highlighted the PAP teams contesting constituencies held by the WP.
'They did not win, but they fought hard and made their mark,' he said. 'And I thank them for stepping forward and giving Singaporeans in these constituencies a real choice.'
In Aljunied GRC, the losing PAP slate got 40.32 per cent of the vote.
The team was led by second-time candidate Chan Hui Yuh, 48, and included four new faces - Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; Dr Adrian Ang, 42; Mr Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37; and Mr Daniel Liu, 40.
PAP newcomer Marshall Lim, 38, secured 37.83 per cent of the vote in Hougang SMC, while in Sengkang a refreshed PAP slate – led by eye doctor Lam Pin Min, 55 – scored 43.69 per cent of the vote.
Its other members are political newcomers Elmie Nekmat, 43; Bernadette Giam, 38, and Theodora Lai, 39.
PM Wong added that the PAP will continue to work hard in these areas.
'We will not give up. We will continue to engage, serve and strive to win over residents,' he said.
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