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Another classic quote by Teo Chee Hean. 
WP flip-flopped on national issues: DPM Teo
by Amir Hussain
04:45 AM May 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - On a day when the Workers' Party (WP) did not hold any campaigning activities that were open to media coverage, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean yesterday went on the offensive at the People's Action Party (PAP) rally at Hougang Stadium.
Citing the issues of ministerial salaries and foreign workers, Mr Teo, who is also the PAP first assistant secretary-general, questioned the WP's flip-flop on national issues.
He said: "The WP had previously argued for less foreign workers, but in the recent Budget debate in Parliament, it suddenly changed its mind. The WP now says we should not reduce foreign workers in several major sectors, major industries."
Mr Teo also noted that the WP had spoken "loudly and fiercely" on ministerial salaries at the election rallies just last year. "But in Parliament this year, they quietly abandoned their position. They gave up their previous drastic proposals, they didn't explain why," he said.
Referring to WP chief Low Thia Khiang and party chairman Sylvia Lim, Mr Teo added: "Their top two leaders remained totally silent throughout the Parliament debate."
Members of Parliament (MPs) from the WP had also unanimously voted for this year's Budget and "agreed with the (Government's) measures and programmes" for the year, said Mr Teo. "But now on the rally stage, they're posturing, making criticisms."
"Are they changing the tune again, doing the twists, playing their guitars, and singing songs which will give them the most appeal to the audience? But are they speaking honestly - honestly for the good of Singaporeans?"
Also speaking at the rally, Ms Denise Phua, a PAP MP for Moulmein-Kallang Group Representation Constituency, said she disagreed with those who think that the results of the General Election last year ushered in political change.
Referring to the move to have more Non-Constituency MPs in Parliament - which was first mooted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2009 - Ms Phua said: "It was the PAP who opened up the political space for top Opposition candidates who lose elections ... to be given the platform in Parliament to express their views."
Citing former and current Nominated MPs such as Mr Siew Kum Hong and Assistant Professor Eugene Tan, as well as online critics such as blogger Mr Lee Kin Mun - better known as mrbrown - Ms Phua also argued that these people are the "real check on the PAP".
Even without the WP, Singaporeans "who now have higher expectations and higher demands" would step in and influence Government policies and programmes, she said.
WP flip-flopped on national issues: DPM Teo
by Amir Hussain
04:45 AM May 21, 2012
SINGAPORE - On a day when the Workers' Party (WP) did not hold any campaigning activities that were open to media coverage, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean yesterday went on the offensive at the People's Action Party (PAP) rally at Hougang Stadium.
Citing the issues of ministerial salaries and foreign workers, Mr Teo, who is also the PAP first assistant secretary-general, questioned the WP's flip-flop on national issues.
He said: "The WP had previously argued for less foreign workers, but in the recent Budget debate in Parliament, it suddenly changed its mind. The WP now says we should not reduce foreign workers in several major sectors, major industries."
Mr Teo also noted that the WP had spoken "loudly and fiercely" on ministerial salaries at the election rallies just last year. "But in Parliament this year, they quietly abandoned their position. They gave up their previous drastic proposals, they didn't explain why," he said.
Referring to WP chief Low Thia Khiang and party chairman Sylvia Lim, Mr Teo added: "Their top two leaders remained totally silent throughout the Parliament debate."
Members of Parliament (MPs) from the WP had also unanimously voted for this year's Budget and "agreed with the (Government's) measures and programmes" for the year, said Mr Teo. "But now on the rally stage, they're posturing, making criticisms."
"Are they changing the tune again, doing the twists, playing their guitars, and singing songs which will give them the most appeal to the audience? But are they speaking honestly - honestly for the good of Singaporeans?"
Also speaking at the rally, Ms Denise Phua, a PAP MP for Moulmein-Kallang Group Representation Constituency, said she disagreed with those who think that the results of the General Election last year ushered in political change.
Referring to the move to have more Non-Constituency MPs in Parliament - which was first mooted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2009 - Ms Phua said: "It was the PAP who opened up the political space for top Opposition candidates who lose elections ... to be given the platform in Parliament to express their views."
Citing former and current Nominated MPs such as Mr Siew Kum Hong and Assistant Professor Eugene Tan, as well as online critics such as blogger Mr Lee Kin Mun - better known as mrbrown - Ms Phua also argued that these people are the "real check on the PAP".
Even without the WP, Singaporeans "who now have higher expectations and higher demands" would step in and influence Government policies and programmes, she said.
