Commentary: Pritam Singh’s removal as Leader of the Opposition reflects importance of higher standards in Singapore politics
At a time of concerns about the eroding integrity of political leaders around the world, Singapore must demand more of its public institutions and officials, says SMU law professor Eugene K B Tan.....That the debate took place was of utmost importance, even if the exchanges and the voting outcome were unsurprising – finding Mr Singh unsuitable to continue as Leader of the Opposition given his court convictions for lying to a parliamentary committee. Mr Singh was removed from the position by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Thursday (Jan 15)....
If trust and confidence in our key institutions and officeholders like parliament, the courts and the public service are eroded, then the resultant loss in standing and legitimacy of these institutions will be our collective loss.
The motion to express regret at Mr Singh’s conduct and his unsuitability to continue as the Leader of the Opposition was thus necessary. CNA
Well said professor Tan. This is the standard for politicians in high office that Singapore is setting. Never mind that this is an aberration in politics. No country can match this level of integrity for politicians in Singapore. Singapore is as pristine as a church, politicians as clean as a priest, no character flaw. Any little blemishes would not be tolerated. Singapore's political circle can challenge the saying that...let the one without sin be the first to cast a stone at the prostitute.
Never mind if the Americans disagree. They also have very high degree of integrity for their political leaders. The American leaders never lie, never cheat, never steal, never kill and never be seen in the company of Epstein. Trump will swear that he does not know Epstein under oath.
Singapore's high standard for political leadership may be a bit demanding for the fake righteousness of the West, especially in Capitol Hill and the White House. Pritam Singh's lying in defence of a WP MP may be a joke in Washington. The Americans will laugh themselves silly knowing the details and what the American political leaders are living with and pasted on their lapels as badge of honour.
This is something that Singapore can crow about, to show to the world what integrity and good governance are all about. No compromises, no one is above the law, no exceptions. A crime is a crime.
10 comments:
The recognition of chess and bridge as sports in Singapore boggles my mind, talking about inclusivity and all that hubris. Can I also recommend 'targeting of opposition candidates' as another sport to be added? Such political targeting has been going on for more than 60 years and should be rewarded with recognition for its long-standing adoption, lol.
People are getting tired of the debate, the time spent arguing about Pritam Singh and his moral compass, a long running soap opera that I honestly do not bother to follow. I do not think Pritam Singh even asked to be nominated as leader of the opposition, a position bestowed by the PAP, which has now been taken away. I do not think it matters much as what is more important is his duty to his constituency.
Whether Pritam Singh is now suitable to be an opposition MP is up to the voters in Aljunied GRC to decide, not for the PAP to dictate. I think Pritam Singh even said that the verdict of the people's court is more important. I agree.
Trump accepts Nobel medal from Venezuelan opposition leader Machado
President Donald Trump hailed Maria Corina Machado's decision as "a wonderful gesture of mutual respect".
Hahahahahhohohohohohahahhaha.
This clown is so desperate for the Peace Prize, hahahahahhahohohohoho.... Now he believes he is a Nobel Prize winner for Peace.
How about the case of Tan Chuan Jin, who was serving as Speaker of Parliament from September 2017 until July 2023. His affair with another PAP MP was uncovered in 2020, let us forget about the earlier duration, during which time he was still Speaker of Parliament and did not resign until 2023. Any double standard about moral behavior being tolerated?
If the old man had still been PM during that time, Tan Chuan Jin would have been removed in 2020 when his affair was uncovered and not allowed to stay as Speaker of Parliament until 2023. That is on the assumption that the same holistic standard was still being applied, knowing the fact that both Tan Chuan Jin and Chan Chun Sin were both parachuted from the military into the PAP and declared as 'ministerial material'
Hahahaha...., I also cannot stop laughing. My stomach aches. The Noble Peace Prize Committee is now the laughingstock of the world.
I will die laughing if they were also to change their record to declare Trump as the official winner. That would be the mother of all jokes. The shameless moron does not really have any moral compass and ability to feel shame.
Oh, perhaps Trump will also now force the Nobel Peace Prize Committee to amend the record that the award was given to him in the first place. Poor Alfred must be wriggling in his grave.
It's the Nobel PISS prize.
I now know that the Nobel Piss Prize award has a backdoor too.
Singapore media always resort to the same usual suspects when it seeks 'expert" comment on a political matter
This Eugene something or that Gillian somebody.
Guess they are safe bet that won't sabo the narrative.
No way they ask Chee SJ for eg.. But why not, he's a politician?
Awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Maria Corina Machado is already a joke. This women sold out the country to its enemy and is no better than helping to destroy the country. She is a disgrace to Venezuelans and the Nobel Peace Prize Committee has committed a travesty of misjudgement that will haunt it for years to come.
To add insult to injury, after having been given the Nobel Peace Prize to Trump, the White House issued the statement that Maria Corina Machado is not suitable to be President of Venezuela as she does not have the support. She had been thrown under the bus by Trump. Yet the way she described the giving of the prize to Trump really makes me puke.
To me whether there is a LO is not important as well as the so call "mayor", as each position cost tax payer half a million annually. In reality the number of opposition in parLeement now cannot make or stop any changes recommended by papies. Sillyporean need to wakeup come the next election and throw the papies out. Otherwise they will keep eating up tax payer money for their own benefit.
This soap opera will still continue next perhaps with the targeting of Sylvia Lim and the other Aljunied MPs. It is just like Trump, having to find a punching bag to make himself more likeable. They used the Town Council issue to force Low Thia Khiang to quit, but not the fall of the WP in the 2025 election. Now they could have used, my own suspicion, a trojan horse to do the same to Pritam Singh.
As the one who commented above said, it is becoming a sport to be recognize about 'targeting of opposition candidates' that the ruling party excels in.
But the WP is bigger than Pritam Singh or whoever leads it. And opposition voters in Hougang, Aljunied and Sengkang may still continue to make sure their constituencies be the hands of the opposition, which is causing consternation within the PAP. It has to find a way to get rid of the thorn in its side.
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