Leader of the Opposition (Singapore)
| Leader of the Opposition of Singapore | |
|---|---|
| Parliament of Singapore | |
| Style |
|
| Abbreviation | LO[2] |
| Appointer | Prime Minister of Singapore |
| Term length | 5 years, renewable |
| Inaugural holder | Lee Kuan Yew (de facto) Pritam Singh (de jure) |
| Formation | 22 April 1955 (de facto) 24 August 2020 (de jure) |
| Salary | S$385,000 annually (inclusive of S$192,500 MP allowance) |
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The leader of the opposition[a] of Singapore is a position in the Parliament of Singapore referring to a politician who leads the largest opposition party in the country, typically the leader of a party that possesses the most seats in Parliament that is not the governing party or part of a governing coalition.[3] Although the position has de facto existed since 1955, it was formally established in 2020, with Pritam Singh of the Workers' Party (WP) serving since 24 August 2020.[4]
History
The Leader of the Opposition was previously an unofficial de facto position in the Parliament of Singapore, as the Constitution and standing orders of Parliament did not make provision for such an office.[5] Those who performed the role did so without any formal recognition or additional parliamentary privileges. As a result, the Leader of the Opposition did not receive any remuneration beyond the ordinary allowance provided to other regular Members of Parliament.
The formal office of the Leader of the Opposition was established following the 2020 general election, in which the Workers' Party won ten seats in Parliament. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that a formal office would be created, and that the Leader of the Opposition would be provided with the necessary manpower support and resources to carry out the role effectively.[6][7] Pritam Singh, as the Secretary-General of the Workers' Party, was formally designated as the Leader of the Opposition in 2020.[8][9]
The Leader of the Opposition draws an annual salary of S$385,000, double the salary of a regular MP.[5][10] As is the case in other Commonwealth countries operating under a Westminster parliamentary system of government, the appointment in Singapore is supported by a secretariat and includes access to office facilities within the Parliament buildings.[3] The role now carries with it clearly defined duties and institutional support, marking a shift from its previous informal status to a formal and recognised component of Singapore's parliamentary structure.
Overview
Duties
The Leader of the Opposition is expected to lead the opposition in presenting alternative views during parliamentary debates on policies, bills and motions. The role includes overseeing and coordinating the scrutiny of the Government’s positions and actions in Parliament, as well as being consulted on the appointment of opposition members to various Select Committees, including Standing Select Committees such as the Public Accounts Committee.
In addition to parliamentary responsibilities, the Leader of the Opposition may be called upon to carry out other official duties. These can include attending state functions, as well as participating in visits and meetings alongside members of the Government and the Public Service.[11]
The appointment is accompanied by additional parliamentary privileges and responsibilities, recognising the importance of the role within Singapore’s parliamentary system. The Leader of the Opposition serves as the principal spokesperson for the opposition and plays a central part in ensuring that Government actions are subject to robust and organised oversight.[12]
Powers and resources
In Parliament, the Leader of the Opposition is generally accorded the right of first response among Members of Parliament and is permitted to pose the lead question to ministers during debates on policies, bills and motions, in accordance with established speaking conventions. The Leader is also granted a longer speaking time for speeches, equal to that of political officeholders.[11]
Beyond access to government data available to all MPs, the Leader of the Opposition is provided with confidential briefings by the Government on specific matters concerning national security and external relations. These briefings may also be extended in times of national crisis or emergency.[11]
The Leader of the Opposition is allocated an office and a meeting room within Parliament House.[11] They are entitled to additional staffing support, with allowances provided for up to three legislative assistants, on top of the standard provision for one legislative assistant and one secretarial assistant granted to all MPs. A dedicated secretary is also assigned to assist with administrative and parliamentary matters.[11]
List of officeholders
- Political parties
De facto
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Took office | Left office | Political party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lee Kuan Yew MP for Tanjong Pagar SMC (1923–2015) |
22 April 1955 |
31 March 1959 |
People's Action Party | ||
| 2 | Lim Yew Hock MP for Cairnhill SMC (1914–1984) |
1 July 1959 |
3 September 1963 |
Singapore People's Alliance | ||
| 3 | Lim Huan Boon MP for Bukit Merah SMC (born 1929) |
22 October 1963 |
31 December 1965 |
Barisan Sosialis | ||
| 4 | Chia Thye Poh MP for Jurong SMC (born 1941) |
1 January 1966 |
7 October 1966 |
Barisan Sosialis | ||
| Vacant[b] 7 October 1966 – 22 December 1981 | ||||||
| 5 | J. B. Jeyaretnam MP for Anson SMC (1926–2008) |
22 December 1981 |
10 November 1986 |
Workers' Party | ||
| 6 | Chiam See Tong MP for Potong Pasir SMC (born 1935) |
10 November 1986 |
17 May 1993 |
Singapore Democratic Party | ||
| 7 | Ling How Doong MP for Bukit Gombak SMC (1934–2021) |
17 May 1993 |
16 December 1996 |
Singapore Democratic Party | ||
| (6) | Chiam See Tong MP for Potong Pasir SMC (born 1935) |
26 May 1997 |
20 April 2006 |
Singapore People's Party | ||
| Singapore Democratic Alliance | ||||||
| 8 | Low Thia Khiang MP for Aljunied GRC (born 1956) |
2 November 2006 |
8 April 2018 |
Workers' Party | ||
| 9 | Pritam Singh MP for Aljunied GRC (born 1976) |
8 April 2018 |
23 June 2020 |
Workers' Party | ||
De jure
| No. | Portrait | Name (Birth–Death) |
Took office | Left office | Political party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pritam Singh MP for Aljunied GRC (born 1976) |
24 August 2020 |
Incumbent | Workers' Party | ||
See also
References
- ^ Pritam Singh has served as the unofficial opposition leader since 8 April 2018 until the office was recognized in 2020.
- ^ Rei Kurohi (28 July 2020). "Parliament sets out duties and privileges of Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Leader of Opposition Pritam Singh could be given access to govt data, resources but Shadow Cabinet can wait: Analysts". TODAYonline.
- ^ "Pritam Singh elected new WP chief, succeeding Low Thia Khiang". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
- ^ a b Kurohi, Rei (28 July 2020). "Parliament sets out duties and privileges of Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh". The Straits Times.
- ^ "PAP's openness to sharing information will determine extent of realistic policy alternatives, says WP's Pritam Singh". The Straits Times. 18 July 2020.
- ^ "WP will continue to question Government, release working papers on issues affecting Singaporeans: Pritam Singh". CNA.
- ^ "Singapore GE2020: WP chief Pritam Singh to be named Leader of the Opposition". The Straits Times. 11 July 2020.
- ^ "GE2020: PAP has a 'clear mandate', but popular vote share 'not as high' as hoped: PM Lee". cna. 11 July 2020.
- ^ Pritam, Singh. "Opposition MPs will 'work extra hard' to put forth alternative ideas despite limitations, says Pritam Singh". TODAYonline. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Pritam Singh to be accorded additional parliamentary privileges, double allowance as Leader of the Opposition". CNA. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ "PARL | Leader of the Opposition". www.parliament.gov.sg. Retrieved 21 February 2025.