Is it right to label oppositions like this?

• sarek_home

  19 Oct 04, 11:50

  
  The government said it need different views from outside PAP to help in policy making. Since there is lack of opposition MPs in Parliament to do the job, the NMP scheme was introduced to provide alternative views and questionings.
  
  The questions:
  
  Does the PAP government welcome alternative views and questionings from the oppositions?
  Does the PAP government weight and consider alternative views and questionings from the oppositions objectively?
  
  Is such views of "to show that the government is not providing good leadership or making good policy" and "they cannot be expected to help the Government rally the ground" clouding PAP government's judgement and prevent it from working effectively and productively for the betterment of the society?
  
  Is Mr Lee's "inclusive society vision excluding the alternatives?
  
  Some references:
  
  DPM Lee's speech at the Harvard Club:
  
  For example, when the opposition criticises an action or policy, the purpose is usually to show that the government is not providing good leadership or making good policy. They are fully entitled to do so, but the Government has to rebut or even demolish them, or lose its moral authority. Anyone entering the arena should understand that these are the rules of the game of politics everywhere.
  
  Parliament Q&A -NATIONAL DAY RALLY
  
  1. Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance (a) how is the National Day Rally on 22nd August 2004 funded; (b) is it a political party rally or a national rally; and (c) if it is a National Day rally, why are opposition Members of Parliament excluded from this Rally every year.
  
  Mr Lee Hsien Loong:
  ..........................................
  From time to time, depending on the issues, the Government also invited relevant groups to the Rally. Thus, teachers, nurses, civil defence officers, students and other young Singaporeans were also invited to the Rally in the last two years.
  
  Opposition Members of Parliament have never been invited to the National Day Rally as they cannot be expected to help the Government rally the ground to support the Government's policies.
• goh meng seng

  19 Oct 04, 12:58

  Please read my article in the coming new issue of Hammer, with regards to this "inclusive" society PM Lee is talking about.
  
  Goh Meng Seng