SINGAPORE : Workers' Party Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang has
accused the People's Action Party of not being a First World
government, and challenged the ruling party to benchmark itself
politically against other mature democracies.
He was responding to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's charge that
opposition members are not of First World standard.
Said Mr Low, "Yes, we are not First World standard. We are not shy
to say that, we are realistic. We are not trying to blow a trumpet,
we accept what we are today but we are progressing the younger
generation, offering choice to them. But I believe that MM Lee is a
fair person. I believe he must know that PAP is not a First World
government as well.
He added, "All of us are aware that the PAP is benchmarking a lot
of things, benchmarking ministers' salaries to market, so you
always talk of international benchmarking. Perhaps it is time that
the PAP should benchmark itself politically against international
mature democracy standards."
Attacking the PAP's promise of upgrading in estates like Hougang
and Potong Pasir if the residents vote for the ruling party, Mr Low
accused the PAP of resorting to short-term carrot-and stick
politics.
Mr Low said, "If I don't vote for the PAP, I will have no upgrading
or if I don't vote for the PAP, I might lose something, my children
may not be able to go to kindergarten -- these are very
short-sighted and short-term interests. The election is supposed to
be about macro issues, the future of the nation. You are deciding
the future of the nation."
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