Seeing politicians from opposing parties saying nice things about each other is a bit like learning that Hitler was kind to animals; it’s certainly a good thing, but it still makes us a little uneasy.
That’s because we’re used to seeing politicians fling poop at each other in the form of verbal attacks and smear campaigns, as we’ve seen in the lead up to GE2020.
After 10 opposition MPs and two Non-Constituency MPs were elected into parliament this year, many speculated that debates would get a lot more feisty, when the politicians weren’t busy napping, that is.
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However, we’ve only seen the opposite so far, as our Leader of the Opposition demonstrated recently.
Singh Commends Speaker of Parliament in First Speech as LO
Workers’ Party (WP) secretary-general Pritam Singh yesterday (24 Aug) congratulated Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin on his re-election, in his first speech as the Leader of the Opposition (LO).
Singh, who was speaking at the opening of the 14th Parliament, also commended Tan for giving opposition MPs sufficient time to engage with the ruling party on important issues in parliament.
For the uninitiated, the Speaker of Parliament presides over the sittings of Parliament regulates and enforces the rules of debate.
They decide who has the right to speak, and are expected to remain impartial and fair to all MPs.
They do not take part in the debates, themselves.
Praised Tan For Educating Public About Parliament Through Social Media
The WP chief also praised Tan for educating the public about the work of Parliament through mediums such as social media, ever since he assumed the Speaker’s role in 2017.
Singh is likely referring to the long live tour of the Parliament House that Tan recently gave Mothership on 22 Aug.
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In the video, the Marine Parade MP explained things like the opening of Parliament, and even delivered a brief history lesson on the country’s political beginnings.
Tan also took a seat on his Iron Throne and detailed his own tasks as Speaker of Parliament, which included drinking cups of coffee to stay awake.
Singh was particularly impressed with Tan’s ability to raise public awareness about the work done in Parliament without compromising on the formality and seriousness of it.
“In doing so, you have encouraged Singaporeans to take an active interest in Parliament as an organ of state that is fundamental to our democracy,” he added.
Had Dinner Together
Despite being from opposing parties, Singh and Tan seem to have struck up something of a friendship, as they were previously seen having lunch together and talking about sports.
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“No. We are not defecting to either side!”, Tan said in jest.
While it’s odd to see two rival politicians be so cordial with each other, it’d certainly make for better government if the two parties in power could come together as well as these two have.
A Not-So-Related But Interesting Article:
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