Politics · Singapore Bureau
Strong opposition in parliament strengthens democracy, says Jayakumar
Former Senior Minister S. Jayakumar has stressed that governments should not fear a robust opposition presence in parliament, reflecting on his early career experiences engaging with parliamentary critics.
LSN Singapore ·
In remarks underscoring the value of legislative scrutiny, Jayakumar recalled how he developed his parliamentary acumen through direct engagement with opposition figures during his tenure in government.
The veteran politician recounted being tasked by former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew to respond to parliamentary questions raised by opposition leader J.B. Jeyaretnam, an assignment that proved formative in shaping his approach to governance and debate.
Jayakumar's comments reflect a perspective that competitive parliamentary discourse serves democratic institutions by ensuring government accountability and forcing policymakers to defend and refine their positions through rigorous questioning.
His remarks come amid ongoing discussions in Singapore about the role of opposition parties in the legislative process and the importance of maintaining robust debate within parliament.