The Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Sengkang GRC Jamus Lim recently shared his beliefs in joining opposition politics when he was questioned by a resident who is a People’s Action Party (PAP) supporter.
In a Facebook post on Friday (12 Mar), Assoc Prof Lim shared that the majority of interactions during his house visits at Anchorvale are “not explicitly political in nature” but rather on residents’ feedback about estate or national policy, “typically couched in terms of issues and concerns”.
However, he had an extended conversation with Mr Tan, a self-professed PAP sympathizer, during one of the house visits on Thursday evening (11 Mar).
According to Assoc Prof Lim, Mr Tan had asked him why he chose to join the alternative party scene.
“He held the view that since it was the PAP that got us to where we are today, they must have done something right. The implied subtext was, perhaps, that we should therefore continue to support a PAP government, and wish for their continued success,” he wrote.
Assoc Prof Lim noted that he does not disagree with most of Mr Tan’s sentiment, as he acknowledged that it was indeed a PAP-led government that brought Singapore to where it is today.
He also acknowledged that he is, indirectly, a product of that success.
“But the reason I joined the opposition is not because I am ungrateful for the hard work that our forefathers wrought, or that I wish to unravel the achievements that they fought so hard to accomplish,” said Assoc Prof Lim.
“On the contrary, I did so because I believe in the importance of consolidating those gains, and bringing our country to the next stage in its evolution,” he elaborated.
Assoc Prof Lim asserted that Singaporeans have reached a point where it is impossible to ensure the nation’s continued success without having vigorous debates over the best way forward.
“While potentially messier and more contentious, I believe that doing so opens up a genuine conversation and deeper understanding about the choices and tradeoffs that we are truly making,” he added.
Assoc Prof Lim went on to say that he hopes this choice will inspire the younger people to imagine a political future where debates of this nature are not viewed merely as a healthy reflection of the democratic process, but also a welcome part of it.
“That ultimately, even if we work toward a society informed by different perspectives, we are all still Singaporeans who love the country we live in, and want the best for it. And that is why I joined the #workersparty,” he concluded.