Indian-born politician Pritam Singh named leader of opposition in Singapore
Singapore:
Singapore’s first designated opposition leader Pritam Singh will allocate half of his allowance to help low-income residents of his constituencies, a press report said today.
Mr Singh, 43, was named leader of the opposition for the first time in Singapore’s parliamentary history on Tuesday after the Indian-born politician led the Workers’ Party as general secretary to a record victory 10 seats in the general elections of July 10. .
He would be granted additional privileges and would receive double the allowance of an elected deputy, parliamentary authorities said.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Singh said he discussed the extra pay with his wife Lovleen Kaur Walia and its implications.
As leader of the opposition, he will receive annually 385,000 Singapore dollars (280,014 USD).
“We were both firmly convinced that a percentage of the salary should be used for more important purposes,” Singh said in the Channel News Asia Facebook post quoted today.
Mr Singh said he would allocate “50 percent of after-tax salary” to help low-income residents of Hougang Single-Member District and the two Group Representation Districts (GRC) of Aljunied and Sengkang, d ‘where voters gave the Workers’ Party a 10-seat win.
The elections for 93 seats were dominated by the People’s Action Party of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The PAP won 83 seats in the general election and its government was sworn in on Monday.
Mr. Singh is also reportedly spending part of his 50 percent allowance on various needs of his Workers’ Party and other causes.
“It is an honor for me to be an elected member of Parliament in Singapore. Likewise, it is a privilege to be appointed Leader of the Opposition,” Singh said.
“My colleagues from the Workers’ Party and I are fortunate to have the opportunity to serve Singapore,” he said.
Mr Singh, a lawyer, said the appointment of the Leader of the Opposition would also require more investment of his time and longer hours away from his family.
“The appointment of the Leader of the Opposition comes with many additional responsibilities that I will have to take on.”
“The road ahead will not be easy, but I thank Singaporeans for their support and encouragement,” he said.
Mr. Singh has been a member of the Aljunied GRC parliament since May 7, 2011.
Singapore’s 14th Parliament will hold its first sitting on August 24.
(Except for the title, this story was not edited by GalacticGaming staff and is posted from a syndicated feed.)
