DUTY TO CONSTITUENTS
Ms Lim said that as MPs, their overriding duty is not to their political parties, but to Singaporeans.
“Regardless of our affiliation, we have a duty to speak for our constituents and ensure that this chamber works for them,” she said, adding that this means “questioning the government” and holding it to account “rigorously, if necessary”.
The government should also always demonstrate that it is “sharing as much information as possible”.
“And in the long run, it is Singaporeans who need to decide if the balance of power in the house should be changed,” she said.
In her speech, Ms Lim cited the results of a 2024 ranking by the World Justice Project, which compiles an index of countries centred around four principles: accountability, just law, open government, and accessible and impartial justice. Singapore ranked 16th out of 142 overall.
While Singapore had “largely healthy scores” across six out of eight indicators, the country did not fare as well in the other two.
The two indicators were “open government”, which measures how much information is shared by the government and public accountability, as well as “constraints on government powers”, which measures how far those who govern are bound by law, she said.
A likely reason for these results may be the “imbalance” in parliament, with almost 90 per cent of seats filled by the ruling party, she said.
“We respect the outcome of the elections. That said, it is a fact that in the house, the government agenda is set by the leaders of the ruling party, and party discipline demands that ruling party MPs vote in support of the government agenda,” she said.
As opposition MPs, they are expected to “take an independent line”, she said.
“Speaking from experience, this is not easy, especially when one is surrounded and vastly outnumbered. But that is our obligation and that is what voters expect us to do.”
She added that opposition MPs will play a part in building a parliament that is trusted by the people.
“We are cautiously optimistic that our parliamentary system has potential to do better.”
