Singapore Politics Quotes

Freedom of the news media must be subordinated to the overriding needs of Singapore, and to the primacy of purpose of an elected government.

In all my 26 years in Parliament, we had referred to Mr. Ong Teng Cheong as the first Elected President.

I have said this on many a previous occasion: that had the mix in Singapore been different, had it been 75% Indians, 15% Malays and the rest Chinese, it would not have worked. Because they believe in the politics of contention, of opposition. But because the culture was such that the populace sought a practical way out of their difficulties, therefore it has worked.

For the past 20 years, the PAP has had a strong monopoly. However, prosperity has not flowed to all Singaporeans.

If I were in authority in Singapore indefinitely without having to ask those who are governed whether they like what is being done, then I would not have the slightest doubt that I could govern much more effectively in their interests.

I cannot say that the PAP has done me wrong or something. I think I'm quite grateful to the PAP.

But at the end of the day, any president must try to unify Singapore... that must be in the heart of the man who wants to be the president.

A truly united Singapore means having a Parliament that reflects all views, and not just the PAP view or the group-think of a single political party.

I was drawn to the ethos of WP, which believes in building a strong and reasonable opposition that contributes to our political landscape in Singapore in a constructive manner. It's a party that does not oppose for the sake of opposing.

You know, the cure for all this talk is really a good dose of incompetent government. You get that alternative and you'll never put Singapore together again: Humpty Dumpty cannot be put together again... my asset values will disappear, my apartments will be worth a fraction of what they were, my ministers' jobs will be in peril, their security will be at risk and their women will become maids in other people's countries, foreign workers.