There have been attempts by netizens to compare WP leader Low
Thia Kiang to Malaysian Opposition leader Lim Kit Siang, who is
from the Democratic Action Party. See for example:
http://wayangparty.wordpress.com/2008/02/22/malaysia-opposition-leader-lim-kit-siang-puts-low-thia-kiang-to-shame/
To quote from the Wayang Party Club webpage:
<<
According to The New Paper article below, 67 year old
Malaysian opposition leader Mr Lim Kit Siang runs 3 blogs which are
updated meticulously daily. Mr Lim Kit Siang also has a facebook
account which he uses to connect with young voters. He is a vocal
critic of the government in Parliament, making over 500 speeches in
a year and in between serving his residents of Ipor Timur with a
population of 710,000, he still has the time and energy to
galvanize the civil society of Malaysia by leading the recent
Bersih campaign to call for free and fair elections.
We applaud Mr Lim Kit Siang for his tireless efforts
to promote and further opposition cause in
Malaysia. On the contrary, Mr Low Thia Kiang who is the leader of
the Singapore’s opposition and MP of a small SMC of 22,000 people
is seldom seen in public other than making a few speeches in
Parliament a year and praising the PAP government in the media. The
WP website was not updated for the past 3 months since their
anniversary dinner in November last year ! And not surprisingly, we
don’t expect Mr Low to have his own personal blog or facebook since
we never seem to receive a reply when we emailed him!
>>
But I feel such a comparison is very unfair. This is because
they have greatly differing roles to play in their respective
societies.
Mr Lim Kit Siang is an opposition stalwart who has challenged
the ruling BN coalition party of Malaysia on many issues, and has a
lot of credibility to his name. Low Thia Kiang on the other hand is
meant to play supportive role, providing a bridge between voters
who want an alternative voice in Singapore and the ruling party.
You are comparing apples to oranges.
The PAP government (may the PAP progress!) has a solid track
record of outstanding governance, has created wealth and prosperity
for our nation since our independence, and put Singapore on a firm
footing as we venture into the 21st century. It is not afraid to
enact unpopular policies which are for the long term good of our
nation, and has avoided the pitfalls of pandering to the electorate
in the short term.
Given the excellent track record and performance of the PAP, and
its high level of integrity and incorruptibility, there is not much
scope for Opposition parties in Singapore to credibly challenge
them. However, the PAP reluctantly acknowledges that there is still
a role for Opposition in Singapore. Opposition parties can play the
role of middle man, connecting voters who want an alternative voice
or who are not yet convinced that of the soundness of PAP policies,
with the ruling party. That is where parties such as the WP come
in.
By putting up a moderate and non-confrontational voice in
Parliament, Low Thia Kiang and Sylvia Lim have added to the already
lively and robust debate that goes on in those hallowed chambers.
When PAP MPs rebut them decisively on issues they have raised, they
are quick to acknowledge the validity of the PAP's stand. When Low
Thia Kiang returns to his constituency, he can then bring the PAP's
argument and point of view back to his people, and lay out the good
points of PAP policies. That is the valuable role the WP plays in
Singapore's political scene.
The PAP hopes that eventually, it will win back the two
Opposition seats and secure 100% of the seats in Parliament. This
is because it believes that its policies are robust and sound, and
will stand the test of time. In the meanwhile, the PAP acknowledges
the role the WP is trying to play and will continually try to win
back the hearts and minds of the voters.
Majulah PAP! Majulah Singapura!
Goh Bock Seng