The Workers' Party (WP) has a track record of "selective opposition", said party chairman Sylvia Lim.

She was speaking in a video posted on her Facebook, where a relaxed Lim described candidly the evolution of the party, as well as WP's presence in parliament.

Selective opposition

Lim pointed to the history of WP members of parliament supporting the government's agenda whenever they understood its rationale.

"It's only when it comes to decisions that we are suspicious are being made for reasons other than national interest. Or it is a decision that perhaps gives the government too much power vis-a-vis the citizen, and we don't think there are sufficient checks."

"Then we'll vote against that," said Lim.

"It's actually selective opposition, rather than opposition for its own sake."

Evolving from combative politics

Recounting her early days in the party when she first joined in 2001, the 55-year-old said that party members back then felt there was a need to engage in "combative politics".

However, nowadays, said Lim, the party has changed its manner in order to stay relevant to voters.

"The younger people don't seem to like confrontation that much," she explained.

"Although my fundamental beliefs still remain the same, the way you put things and all that, it has to be more nuanced I find."

Love of music

The video also showed a side of Lim not seen in parliament, with the WP chairman giving her rendition of Hokkien tune Ai Piah Jia Eh Yia, and discussing her love of art and music.

"I like nothing more than live music," she said before singing a line from Toto's Africa and laughing.

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Top screengrab from Sylvia Lim's Facebook