Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said that Singaporeans will not issue a blank cheque to any party on a whim.

Ong, who anchors the PAP team for Sembawang GRC, was giving a doorstop interview after completing an outreach session at Kampung Admiralty on July 5.

"Voters are intelligent and rational"

He was asked to share his views on the remarks made by Workers' Party (WP) candidate Jamus Lim during the televised live debate on July 1.

Lim had said in his closing speech that the PAP does not have a monopoly on the best ideas, and that the WP is not trying to deny the PAP a mandate, but a "blank cheque".

Speaking to media, Ong told reporters in Mandarin: "With regard to the 'blank cheque', I believe our voters are intelligent and rational."

He added that a blank cheque will not be issued on a whim, and if a party performs poorly, they risk paying a price in the next election.

"This is why for so many years, including in the 60s, 70s and 80s, the ruling party have never rested on our laurels, and have served our residents. Empty promises cannot be made. Whatever is promised and said, must be fulfilled. As a result, we have built up Singapore together by working with the people."

PAP MPs receive less media attention when asking questions in Parliament

Ong also commented on WP chief Pritam Singh's remarks during the Aljunied GRC political broadcast.

Pritam had talked about how WP MPs are able to ask "tough questions" that PAP MPs may not be able to ask lest they "fall out of favour with the party leadership".

Ong said: "I disagree with this, I think PAP MPs raise different types of questions and I've sparred with MPs of my party before in Parliament. However, when we do so, it garners less media attention."

He then explained that an amendment was made in Parliament in November 2016, guaranteeing the presence of at least 12 opposition MPs— including NCMPs— in Parliament, up from nine currently.

All these 12 MPs have "equal rights to speak and vote", said Ong.

"As for those who feel that they must be MPs in a constituency, the only difference is that you have an additional responsibility to take care of the town council. If you feel your task is to keep the government in check and to voice out for the people, any types of MPs can do so."

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Top photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.