The recent Parliamentary sessions really demonstrated both the positive aspects and limitations of our opposition, as it stands.
MP Faisal’s question on Muslims and the navy has resulted in a discussion on the said matter. Not that he is the first person to ask this question; many Muslims have articulated similar concerns before. But because he is a parliamentarian, and because the question was asked in Parliament, the issue has gained traction. For people who always ask ‘what’s the point of having opposition MPs; all i want is a clean neighbourhood, shelters to my bus stops etc’, this is the perfect example you should consider.
At the same time, the fact that Denise Phua wasn’t challenged for her statements in Parliament – by both her colleagues and the opposition – is more than slightly disturbing to me. There was nothing unambiguous about the speech; the moment i read it i cringed. And felt angry. And was perturbed. And disappointed. In many ways, the government response to the navy question was expected, but this speech, was extraordinary. Yet, it elicited no response.
To be honest, i am just as disappointed in the opposition for not challenging her speech. An indirect Facebook status about the incident and some feel-good anecdotes to show Singapore society’s ‘tolerance’, is quite simply, not enough.
One cannot help but wonder why this is the case. Worse still, some tried to justify it by stating it is ‘a matter of choosing the wrong words’. Erm, no it isn’t. It is about the essence of the speech! Not the ‘phrasing’.
Why didn’t anyone comment on the matter? Is it because there is no political mileage in standing up for foreign workers? Or did the rest agree with her statements? Is it about foreign workers per se, or is it about Indian/South Asian foreign workers in particular (which would then indicate a racial dimension to the matter)?
Whatever the reason is, together with the other incidents (Navy and halal food, Tampines 1’s Chinese audience and people subsequently trying to justify it by stating it is a business decision, not a racial one), as a minority, one cannot help but worry about the tone of proceedings.
Source: Walid J. Abdullah
