I RESPECTFULLY disagree with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
("2-party system not workable here: PM"; Wednesday).
First, a few top candidates introduced by the People's Action
Party (PAP) joined the party recently after leaving the civil
service and military. I believe they are standing for election
because they were invited by the ruling party to do so - the key
word being "ruling". If Singapore were to have a two-party system
and if, say, the Workers' Party were in power and invited top civil
servants to join it, I believe many would, too.
The new entrants have probably thrown their hat into the ring
because of their desire to make or influence national policy at the
highest levels. They would get to do so only by joining the ruling
party, regardless of which one. The PAP does not have a monopoly on
talent.
Second, I believe that with a strong opposition, more people
with good credentials will come forward to participate in national
politics than is the case now. Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng
said recently that some potential top candidates declined to stand
despite being invited by the PAP. These people must have diverse
reasons for not joining the PAP, but one reason could be that they
disagreed with certain PAP policies.
With a two-party system, well-qualified candidates would have a
choice of parties to join, and that would raise the level of
national debate and encourage the competition of ideas.
Third, there is no reason why Singapore being small should
preclude a two-party system. New Zealand has four million plus
people and Denmark has five million plus people. Both countries
have robust multi-party democracies and are doing well
economically. Why should Singapore be any different?
Tan Soon Meng
Mr Tan forgot USA - two party system. Republicans and Democrats.
The system work perfectly.
