A bit belatedly, here’s my observation on the opening session of Singapore’s 15th Parliament, which was largely the usual celebratory spectacle. There wasn't really much to draw your attention to, except for what Pritam Singh said at the very end of his speech.
"We will play our part and continue to support your [Speaker's] efforts to raise the standing of our parliament and our country, both within and beyond this chamber".
Workers' Party? Raising the standing of the parliament? It's about time!
First of all, if he says they will "continue" it suggests that they already have done that in the past. This is coming from somebody who is currently appealing a criminal conviction for lying under oath in that very parliament. A representative of the party whose leaders were found guilty of negligence in managing public funds in AHTC. And one whose members were actually caught lying about verifiable economic data (remember Pritam's own "turbocharged" inflation claims, when all data showed steep drops?).
So, I'm not sure the promise of "continuing" anything is particularly thrilling. It would be good if they improved.
I know that such speeches are usually just a performance for the public. You have to prepare something for the occasion. But the circumstances are quite different this time and it was a bold commitment made by someone who is going to receive the final verdict in the next few months.
What if he loses? What is Pritam Singh going to do then?
Given what he promised just last week, how could he possibly claim to continue the mission of "raising the standing" of the entire parliament, by allowing himself to stay in it?
After all, someone with a criminal conviction for a conscious lie, under oath, to a parliamentary body that the Committee of Privileges was, not only doesn't help the parliament but doesn't even belong there.
The only way Pritam Singh can stay true to his pledge is if he resigns if he loses the appeal.
If he doesn't he will have lied. Again.
