The government said it need different views from outside PAP to
help in policy making. Since there is lack of opposition MPs in
Parliament to do the job, the NMP scheme was introduced to provide
alternative views and questionings.
The questions:
Does the PAP government welcome alternative views and questionings
from the oppositions?
Does the PAP government weight and consider alternative views and
questionings from the oppositions objectively?
Is such views of "to show that the government is not providing good
leadership or making good policy" and "they cannot be expected to
help the Government rally the ground" clouding PAP government's
judgement and prevent it from working effectively and productively
for the betterment of the society?
Is Mr Lee's "inclusive society vision excluding the
alternatives?
Some references:
DPM Lee's speech at the Harvard Club:
For example, when the opposition criticises an action or policy,
the purpose is usually to show that the government is not providing
good leadership or making good policy. They are fully entitled to
do so, but the Government has to rebut or even demolish them, or
lose its moral authority. Anyone entering the arena should
understand that these are the rules of the game of politics
everywhere.
Parliament Q&A -NATIONAL DAY RALLY
1. Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Prime Minister and Minister
for Finance (a) how is the National Day Rally on 22nd August 2004
funded; (b) is it a political party rally or a national rally; and
(c) if it is a National Day rally, why are opposition Members of
Parliament excluded from this Rally every year.
Mr Lee Hsien Loong:
..........................................
From time to time, depending on the issues, the Government also
invited relevant groups to the Rally. Thus, teachers, nurses, civil
defence officers, students and other young Singaporeans were also
invited to the Rally in the last two years.
Opposition Members of Parliament have never been invited to the
National Day Rally as they cannot be expected to help the
Government rally the ground to support the Government's
policies.
