Pritam Singh 1st National TV Interview As He Faces Neurodiverse Panel | The Assembly 2 - Part 3

Key Concepts

• Political System: Discussion on the balance of power between ruling parties and opposition, and the challenges faced by the opposition in Singapore.
• Leadership and Integrity: Examination of how leaders handle controversies, maintain integrity, and manage public scrutiny.
• Personal Philosophy and Resilience: Insights into coping mechanisms for stress, dealing with criticism, and the importance of personal values.
• Public Service and Constituents: The role and responsibilities of a Member of Parliament, particularly in serving constituents and advocating for their needs.
• Learning from the Past: The significance of studying history, particularly wars, to prevent future conflicts and learn from mistakes.

Pritam Singh's Journey and Perspectives

This transcript captures a candid interview with Pritam Singh, offering insights into his personal background, political philosophy, and experiences as a Member of Parliament and Leader of the Opposition in Singapore.

Early Life and Education

• PSLE Score: Pritam Singh revealed his PSLE score was 180, which placed him in the "normal stream" at the time, as he did not qualify for the express stream.
• Academic Transformation: He described his academic turnaround as stemming from two key factors:
  • Enjoyment of Studies: The shift occurred when he began to enjoy what he was learning.
  • Realization of Effort and Reward: He understood that treasuring an achievement necessitated hard work, embodying the principle of "you will reap what you sow."

Personal Skills and Interests

• Special Skill: Singh shared a lesser-known skill: a powerful left-footed shot in football, though he hasn't played regularly for 15 years.
• Love for Reading: He enjoys reading about war, finding it helps in understanding conflict management and communication. He believes studying war is crucial for every generation to learn from past mistakes and prevent their repetition, highlighting the human capacity for both great invention and terrible actions.
• Comedy Appreciation: He enjoys comedies and watches shows like "Brooklyn 99" and "The Big Bang Theory," indicating a lighter side to his personality.

Political Career and Philosophy

• Motivation for Politics: Singh's decision to enter politics was driven by a desire to contribute to a more balanced political system in Singapore. He felt that diverse views should have a place in Parliament.
• Choosing the Workers' Party (WP): He explained his choice to join the WP over the People's Action Party (PAP) by emphasizing his belief in the necessity of a strong opposition in a parliamentary democracy. He acknowledged the PAP's significant contributions but stressed the importance of accommodating different visions for Singapore's future.
• Transition from Law to Politics: He initially juggled his legal studies and role as a Member of Parliament but ultimately prioritized his constituents, putting his legal work aside to focus on his parliamentary duties. While he sometimes misses legal opportunities, he finds greater fulfillment in being a Member of Parliament.
• Family Reaction to Opposition Politics: His family, particularly his father, initially expressed concern but ultimately offered strong support. He noted that his mother, sister, and wife consistently remind him of their pride, which fuels his work.
• Challenges in the Singaporean Political System: Singh acknowledged that the system is "certainly harder" for the opposition but believes that anything worthwhile is difficult to achieve. He stressed the need for the opposition to continuously work on improving their odds and developing an attractive platform for Singaporeans. He also recognized the inherent human tendency to resist losing power.

Role as Leader of the Opposition

• Parliamentary Function: The Leader of the Opposition's role is parliamentary, involving scrutinizing government proposals, questioning policies, and rebutting laws. The aim is to ensure alternative views are adequately represented in Parliament, the highest law-making body.
• Coping with Public Scrutiny: Singh copes with the emotional toll by grounding himself in his Sikh faith and the concept of "dukk and sukh" (happiness and sadness), accepting life's ups and downs. He relies on his family, especially his wife and children, for strength during challenging times.

Serving Constituents and Challenges

• Challenges in Constituency Work: Opposition MPs face challenges, such as not presiding over community award ceremonies because they are not appointed as grassroots advisors. Singh advocates for a more inclusive system where anyone capable of motivating students should be involved.
• Interesting Complaints: The most interesting complaints he receives during meet-the-people sessions often involve animal or bird life, such as requests to remove roosters or crows.
• Anger Triggers: He gets angry when he witnesses bullying, emphasizing the importance of empathy and putting oneself in others' shoes.

Handling Controversies and Integrity

• Nicole and Leon Situation: Regarding the confrontation with Nicole and Leon over their affair, Singh chose not to delve into specifics, respecting their privacy and acknowledging their past contributions to the Workers' Party. He did not feel personally betrayed but recognized that in politics, few matters remain private.
• "Liar" Accusations (V.K. Case): He stated he doesn't lose sleep over such accusations, viewing them as tactics by political opponents. He prioritizes his conscience and believes that if it is clear, external criticism has less impact. He trusts the public's judgment and their ability to discern truth.
• AHTC Lawsuit and Donations: He highlighted the public's strong support during the AHTC lawsuit, with many ordinary Singaporeans donating small amounts, demonstrating a desire for the Workers' Party not to fail. He does not recall the largest donor.
• Misuse of Funds Allegations: Singh clarified that if funds were misused, they would be in jail. The settlement of the case suggests that accusations were politically motivated rather than factual. He believes the public acts as a "good mirror" for truth.
• Party Member Integrity: He acknowledged that managing integrity within a party is complex, with members from diverse backgrounds. While there's no manual for every situation, he emphasizes learning from experiences, doing one's best, and moving forward. He credits his wife as a significant pillar of support during difficult times.

Inter-Party Relations and Personal Views

• Parliamentary Civility: Outside of Parliament, politicians are "civil" to one another. He noted that while they have different views on Singapore's future, this doesn't preclude civil discourse. He sees the younger generation as leading the way in approaching political issues with a focus on sharing different perspectives.
• Favorite Politician (Outside WP): He admires President Tharman Shanmugaratnam for his ability to explain issues and his genuine belief in his statements, finding him an admirable figure and a learning opportunity for aspiring politicians.

Aspirations and Vision

• Not Aspiring to be Prime Minister: Pritam Singh reiterated that his fundamental goal in joining politics was to foster a more balanced political system, not to become Prime Minister. He believes Singapore is better off with a more substantial opposition presence.
• Running the Country: When asked how he would run the country if he were Prime Minister, he confidently stated, "I would run the country very well."

Conclusion

The interview with Pritam Singh reveals a thoughtful and resilient leader who is deeply committed to his principles and the betterment of Singapore's political landscape. He navigates the complexities of opposition politics with a strong moral compass, a reliance on his support system, and a clear vision for a more balanced and representative democracy. His candid responses to challenging questions underscore his dedication to public service and his belief in the ultimate judgment of the people.