Workers' Party chief Pritam Singh clashed in Parliament with Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Apr. 7 over his questions on the size and use of Singapore's reserves by the government.

The exchange saw Heng, who is also the Finance Minister, sharply criticise Pritam for asking about Singapore's reserves "in the middle of a storm" i.e. the Covid-19 outbreak.

The exchange occured as Members of Parliament on both sides of the aisle support the Resilience and Solidarity Budgets to help Singaporeans but disagree on how transparent the reserves should be and how the reserves were used.

Hence, Pritam followed up with a Facebook post, elaborating on how he views the role of an opposition politician in Singapore's Parliament.

A responsible opposition is not a pliant opposition

In his Apr. 8 post, Pritam contended that a responsible opposition does not mean it is pliant.

Instead, it "must play a role in Singapore's Parliamentary democracy and governance." Added Pritam:

"Like asking how much money is earned by those who invest and protect our reserves - and who are ultimately paid by the taxpayer - is also not out of the ordinary in any developed country."

He pointed out that Hougang MP Png Eng Huat had asked a similar question in Parliament, and received the reply "let's not focus on one or two expense items."

People are more willing to discuss the reserves

Pritam also noted how the conversation on the reserves has changed over the years.

His post included a photo of a Business Times (BT) article, dated Feb. 23, 2018, which discussed splitting the reserves in two.

Pritam then commented on the nature of revealing information. He said:

"It is normal for those in power anywhere to be uncomfortable and hesitant about revealing information that leads to greater public scrutiny.

There can be good reasons for withholding such information, and some very questionable reasons for doing so."

He noted that the public conversation on the reserves has moved on in recent years, from the previous stance of asking no questions at all.

The BT article itself is evidence that people are willing to discuss the topic, said Pritam, and its suggestion has been brought up by the WP in Parliament.

Heng Swee Keat: Disappointed in Pritam Singh

His post on April 8 came one day after the tense exchange in Parliament, during DPM Heng's speech on the Resilience and Solidarity Budgets.

Heng commented that taken together, the three Budgets (including the Unity Budget) incurred the largest deficit in Singapore's history, at S$44.3 billion

Heng added that the immense response to the Covid-19 impact was possible due to Singapore's deep financial reserves.

However, he had some sharp words for Pritam, and the questions he had asked about the size of Singapore's reserves. Heng said:

"But just exactly how deep are our reserves? Mr Pritam Singh has asked this question time and again in this House...

It is neither in the interest of Singapore or Singaporeans to repeatedly ask about the size of our reserves. We are in the middle of a storm, and I'm very disappointed that Mr Pritam Singh has used this occasion to raise this question again."

In a question after Heng's speech, Pritam clarified that he viewed all MPs, including those not from the ruling party, also as stewards of Singapore's reserves.

He also said there was a discussion to be had about using a part of the reserves to improve to lives of Singaporeans, while also keeping a part of it secret.

Pritam: We can do better

Pritam concluded by saying that whether the reserves are spent or not, all MPs have to be aware of the trade-offs involved, and also be aware of the support extended by the government of the day to the public.

But MPs that do not belong to the ruling party don't have access to the same information, so they have to take the government at its word, said Pritam. He added:

"We can do better. And as the suggestion in the BT article above conveys, there is definitely scope to do better, not just on the reserves but a whole host of finance-related matters."

You can see Pritam's post below:

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Top image from Pritam Singh's Facebook page and Gov.sg YouTube.