Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao scored an exclusive interview with Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang ahead of the General Election on Sept. 11, 2015.

The two-part video interview was conducted by associate news editor Chan Cheow Pong.

In them, Low talked about how far the WP and Singapore politics have come, attracting the right people to join the party and how the WP is pro-Singapore, plus a variety of other topics.

One of the quotes that stood out, though, was this:

"In the past, my residents in Hougang used to tell me, 'Sigh, it looks like you are the only one (Opposition MP) in parliament. Satu 乌鱼 (one fish)'. In 2011, things have changed for the better. This is the result of political change."

This is not only a reminder of how far Singapore politics has come, but evidence that this progress was achievable due to how dependable the Workers' Party has been.

Here are some other choice quotes from the Lianhe Zaobao interview translated into English.

Lianhe Zaobao Video 1

Visit this link if you cannot view the video.

On his view on people accusing him of scoring political points

Low said: "It will be a failure for the People's Action Party (PAP) if it does not know how to score political points. How does PAP govern? If it does not score points from politics, how does it govern? If PAP is unable to score points from politics, it means that it is cheating, don't you think? This means that it is using underhanded means and does not need to score political points to govern.

First of all, if you are a politician, you must have the political acumen to score political points. PAP's way of accusing opposition parties of scoring political points is a childish way of politics.

However, every politician needs to be responsible. The change in policies will affect people's lives. You cannot just say populist things to score political points or raise populist subjects...We also have to think about the long-term future of the country".

Lianhe Zaobao Video 2

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On WP's performance in parliament

Low said: "With our limited manpower and resources, we tried our best. But that doesn't mean that we have met everyone's satisfaction. However, we are very serious and conscientious in preparing for parliamentary debates."

The top concern for WP? He said that "it is population issues, as it concerns Singapore's future. Is the ruling party's population estimates for the future accurate? I understand that the government is already addressing the issues related immigration, but we need to find a balance. WP is not an anti-foreign talent or anti-immigrant party. We welcome foreigners who can contribute to Singapore. But the priority must be Singaporeans who are born and bred here."

"The ruling party will improve only when there is competition. They will then have the people's interests at heart...Or else it will be like eating durians without paying - you have to vote for the ruling party because there is no choices available."

On whether WP needs "checks and balances" like the government

Low said: "... the biggest 'checks and balances' for WP is the government. Of course! They will put you under a microscope to examine. Think about it. Even the cleaning of a market will also result in 'problems' (it is alleged that AHPETC had denied responsibility to clean high areas in the hawker centres located in Blocks 511 and 538 in Bedok North, and tried to levy additional charges on hawkers)... Therefore, we are aware that if you choose to enter opposition politics and join WP, you have to be on your best behaviour. Because you will be placed under the microscope to be closely examined."

Screenshots from Lianhe Zaobao.

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