Singapore GE2025: Opposition strengthens govt with new ideas, debates on issues, says RDU candidate Kala Manickam
Kala Manickam, Red Dot United's candidate for Jurong Central SMC, during a walkabout at a wet market in Jurong Central Plaza on April 29. - ST/ANN
SINGAPORE: Having opposition MPs in Parliament would strengthen, not weaken, the government because they bring new ideas and perspectives to the table, Red Dot United's (RDU) Kala Manickam said.
The Jurong Central SMC candidate was asked during a walkabout in Jurong Central Plaza on April 29 about Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's statement during the Fullerton Rally the day before, when he said having more opposition voices would weaken the government amid challenging times.
Kala said: 'We are actually bringing in new ideas and co-creating, and we can debate on topics and issues, which is best for Singaporeans.'
'How can they say that the opposition coming in will weaken the government? In fact, it will be better,' added the 57-year-old, who previously contested Nee Soon GRC in 2020 as part of the Progress Singapore Party.
Kala was also asked for her comments on Sustainability and the Environment Minister Grace Fu's rally speech on April 28, during which the latter said tough decisions like raising the goods and services tax always come with trade-offs. The government recognises the struggles faced by those with little or no income, Fu had also said.
In response, Kala said Singaporeans are stretched because of PAP's policies. If the policies are 'able to provide stress relief and happiness, then people may not necessarily seek out opposition parties', she added.
Kala said: 'Who comes up with the policies? It's PAP. We only have 12 opposition party members in Parliament, how much can they do? They don't have a say in what is passed through because we don't have a one-third majority.'
In Singapore, constitutional amendments require the support of a two-thirds majority in Parliament.
'Basically, they created the policy, they stretched the people, and now they're saying it is very challenging. They need to review themselves,' the former SAF officer said.
Kala also disagreed with Fu's statement on April 28 that debates do not lead to better policies and good governance.
The RDU candidate said credible opposition candidates can speak up on issues in a mature manner, and there will be 'a very instructive culture' if there are no debates in Parliament.
She added: 'Are you saying that when children have debates in school and open up and speak up, it's not healthy for the teachers or the principal? It is developing a 'thinking society'.'
Kala also countered what Fu said about it being easy for the opposition to ask the government to give out money to Singaporeans, but their proposals lack detail on where the money will come from.
Kala said: 'We have a surplus of Budget every year. Why can't we take certain portions from the surplus Budget?'
She added that it would help people if part of the surplus can be distributed to the people as a S$200 (US$153) dividend – a proposal in the RDU manifesto.
This proposed dividend is expected to cost between S$2 billion (US$1.53 billion) and S$4 billion (US$3.07 billion), RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon said previously, adding that the proposal would not dip into the national reserves.
Kala said: 'If we are really unable to take from the Budget's surplus, then I will find ways to raise money.'
She added: 'Raising money in Singapore is not a difficult thing, because Singaporeans are very kind and good-hearted people. When there are disasters in any country, Singaporeans are the first ones to actually donate money.'
Kala said she hopes to emulate President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who used to anchor Jurong GRC when he was part of the PAP. Jurong Central SMC comprises part of the former GRC, as well as portions of the former Yuhua SMC.
She said: 'Residents hold him in very high respect – they told me Tharman is a very nice and a very compassionate man. That is the path I want to walk.'
'If they can love Tharman, they can love Kala also.' - The Straits Times/ANN
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