PM Lee Hsien Loong's exchange with Mr Low Thia Khiang
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- Опубліковано 27 тра 2014
- Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's exchange with Workers' Party leader Mr Low Thia Khiang in Parliament on 28 May 2014. They was speaking during a debate on President Tony Tan's 16 May 2014 address.
It is already very gutsy of LTK to speak like that. Not about his poor command of articulate English. I have no issues with understanding his English. He has done what no other opposition party has done, to take down 1 GRC. Against all odds.....you got to give him credit......at least the opposition is strong and alive ....
He was a Chinese teacher and he majored in Chinese studies. He does not need to speak great English and look posh. Dont be fooled by people's outlook. This gentleman is helpful fellow singaporeans. I am an singaporean Indian and feel so fortunate to have great leaders taking care of Singapore
he speaks great English imo for someone who had to brush up on another language at a later stage of his life..
UA-cam recommended this after 6 years
Even though it may be tense at times...... one thing i respect the singapore parliament debates there's no shoe flying with daggers etc.
if someone can speak up to pm in this manner, there is dilute of power.. if everyone clap hands all together, then singapore will be in serious trouble... Opposition kept the strongest party in check and the strongest party make the opposition accountable.. :) Win Win for singaporeans..
Salute and respect Mr Low! Don't forget Mr Low he is a Chinese teacher and Chinese educated. But his strong talent and his ability give him the confidence and power to speak fluent English to debate with PM Lee in Parliament!
I am amazed by the comments here about Low's English pronunciation etc, as if their English is very good. Hello, you all also speak Singlish, oK?Dont sia sui yourselves
He's from a Chinese school. For him to achieve this competency is excellent. Besides, he is an MP here, not a English professor.
SINGAPORE GOVT SHOULD PUBLISH AND STREAM ALL PARLIAMENT SESSIONS FROM GE2020 onwards
I thought that from this debate, the opposition is actually quite respectable and responsible. we need someone to question the policy and gave their views, to answer some question we have and what problems we might be facing and suggesting alternatives to improve the policy. we cannot expect a very drastic proposal that is different from the governing party from a small no. of opposition. they are doing what they can while trying not to provide hindrance to the execution to move forward. I appreciate the intention of the opposition and I hope the governing party can reciprocate by giving some thoughts to their comments whenever necessary. And this is not a debate competition to determine if you can talk the best. let's just listen to their ideas and we'll see how the policy will turn out to be.
This man is a great inspiration. The whole world might ridicule u. But if u believe in ur work, and u keep on trying...that's all that matters...
My respect for Mr. Low... A true gentleman leader and speaks for the people regardless of being outnumbered and intentionally mocked by true hypocritical people who labelled themselves govt
I can feel the tension..
Josephine couldn't move her eyes away from the PM, "whoaaaa he is my heroooooo" hahahahahaha
It is very obvious who makes a better leader and in whose hands the management of the country should be.
It was painful to watch a person totally ignorant of his caliber, struggling to act the parliamentarian he was entrusted by his people. I laughed when PM remarked, ‘An eloquent explanation for why the Workers’ Party has been inarticulate’ but felt a little bad afterwards. Those people who voted to send the gentleman to embarrass himself in public are to be blamed.
Not only is it terrible on that count, but I bet people did not realise that they are in fact risking the future of Singapore by simply casting their votes out of wanting to see 'Change'.
Ironically, I heard the word 'Theatre' being referred. Well, this was what 'Change' has brought to parliament - a theatrical display of substance.
+John Seow You forgot that WP is smart not to debate on every issue because PM said in a rally before that if there are 10, 15 or 20 oppositions in the parliament, he would have to spend all his time debating with them instead of thinking of the challenges next year and beyond such that he has to play "dirty politics" to fix the oppositions. So when WP thought whatever PAP proposed is good, it did not debate. Singaporeans sent LTK to parliament to ensure our system does not fall from democratic system to one-party communist look-a-like system (remember our national pledge and Aljunied people did it at the expense of 4 Ministers) and MPs do not fall asleep in parliament. Singaporeans also want WP MPs to remind PAP that they overlooked somethings and many Singaporeans would be affected because of their oversights. People in Aljunied believe it was a right step toward a First World Parliament without affecting stability of Singapore and Singapore continued to prosper without the 4 eliminated Ministers (who were eliminated due to the cons of the GRC system). Fortunately or unfortunately I do not live in Aljunied otherwise I would have voted for WP 'A' team too.
wow people seriously discriminating the members because of their pronunciation? gosh...
I find UA-camrs' comments on Mr Low's pronunciation highly elitist. So maybe he doesn't pronounce the best, but that doesn't mean he doesn't understand the words he is saying, nor what others are saying. Y'all are committing the same disgusting allegations foreigners have accused Singaporeans of: not being able to speak Chinese or English in the "standard" accent or pronunciation and using that to look down upon us. Except that you are using this elitist and perceived superiority to look down on a fellow Singaporean who has the balls to fight for bigger issues than you petty claims of bad English pronunciation. Shame on you.
In this debate, LTK is deserving of my respect.
Mr. Low Thia Khiang has already stated clearly about where they stand, and what they think they should do. Prime Minister, I don't see the need to repeat what you asked/said 3 times and get all personal in the House. Very unprofessional of you.
You called that a good reply .only fools will buy that .even a good sales man can do a better job .you vote a opposition with this standard??
lol, i still don't get where he stand. He says he support the government stand. Which is why, PM lee asked again
It seems that PM lee is very unhappy with mr low's work. PM wants a good opposition that can propose something for them to debate and choose whats best for singapore. But it appears that mr low, don't have what it takes. He thinks everything is simple. We gave him a chance to perform and he failed us.
How can we vote for a opposition that submit his proposal with no back up plan...
Singaporeans, please dont be blind. i know people nowadays tend to support the opposition. But seriously, this is no go.
so where he stands? stop the growth of foreign workers or continue? i still dunno. If he says stop. Why now still no stop? he cannot use excuse such as not jamming up government. If he tinks stop is good for SG he has to fight it out during debate. if his reason is strong enuf, he will win. obviously this LTK is just shaky with no direction. He has no stand. Ppl say wad he ok. Vote him in dunno for wad. During rally say PAP decision lousy and all. end up go in parliament feels PAP policies are right and follow their views. Sub standard. Shakes head.
A Zero-growth on foreign workers will result more complicated problems in Singapore. The outside world might view us as a closed economy and not an open economy which will result international business to shift their company elsewhere not just the Small-medium enterprise because firms here need people they could trust to run certainly not a Singaporean to run for them.
Remember to them we are foreigners as well, how we view them is exactly how they view us too.
Unless we follow Japan's way which everything is manufacture by us, build by us & consume by us then we can achieve that which means we must be very capable and produce our own goods , foods and services.
Furthermore their countries will closed their doors on us cause they might misjudge us as being prejudice against them. Also you can't expect a foreign worker, who probably trained or studied to be a doctor to shift to be construction worker overnight.
Its not that easy to make a transition or career change. So i have no idea why would WP propose that as an alternative proposal.
Nice they only care about where they stand . They dun even care about how we Singapore people stand.
He is a tiger and a hero. Absolutely. Self made man. Proud of him.
I respect how when Mr Low speaks he is clear, concise, sportsman-like, respectful of his opponents, serious but is not boring and knows how to turn the tables with humour. He also presents and sustains attention very well. A lot of politicians are unable to do the same even English is their first medium. But honestly we do need migrants, and the policy is not wrong, just needs to be tweaked better. LHL may be the cerebral one here, but LTK is the one who can connect better.
I don't get why the comments are directed at LTK's command of English. Being educated in mandarin, I applaud him for his clarity, which is superior to the elicorter spoken English of many members from the ruling party.
Why only 14 minutes?
In terms of years experiences from PM LHL, i dont see much different between LHL and LTK. Though LTK english is bad but the terms he speak is clear enough.
I really respect Singapore parliament debate..talk on facts and points..not like in some countries..personnal attack,racial remarks..
Well Answered by Our PM Lee.
While I do have respect for both leaders, I can't really imagine someone like Mr Low Thia Khiang representing Singapore on a global stage.
PM Lee's and PAP's stand is definitely clearer and better, and their policies are definitely much better than other parties through this debate. Mr Low kept on saying that better can be done, and as what PM Lee said, this is so easy to say. Even you can say, "the government should do better". but if the wp keep on saying that the govt shld do better, but do not show how, what does this mean? It means that they dont have better solutions, but just oppose for the sake of opposing, isnt it?
Through this debate, we can also obviously tell that Mr Low couldn't answer a lot of PM Lee's question as they know that their initial decision was wrong. And it is ok, because no one is perfect, right? But they dare not admit it and Mr Low kept avoiding PM Lee's question and not answering directly to the qns posed to WP.
I respected Mr. Low courage for debating well in parliament without fears of the ruling party, that is the purpose of democracy! Correct PAP if they are wrong in policies. My support always to WP 🔨🔨🔨👍👍👍
We not chosing who is a better speaker. But we shd be chosing a goverment with a heart for people.
Unfortunately, fellow stranger, you kind of do need proper English and good speakers for Singapore to communicate and work with people of other countries. Have you never heard of first impression? Facework? Bet not. In fact, never mind the language capacity, you do need someone who can pronounce words correctly, that's the most fundamental and LTK is seriously, albeit hilariously lacking in. We are a small country, and need to work hand in hand with other countries too, not just think about the people within the country. The stone that you were living under, it is time to crawl out of there.
wow,his pronunciation is amazing.
ikr...
+Asther Coba Imagine if he does become PM. We would have gone from LKY to LTK. What an embarrassment he would be on the world stage.
+. I've never met anyone whose opinion matters who focuses on someone's accent and allows that focus to detract from the quality of substance in what that person has to say.
Trish Lee take it easy mdm. It was just a comment :)
It is now much flair with Prof Jamus and legal practitioners like Sylvia and Pritam to speak well and lock horns with the governing party on key policies which matters to Singaporeans both rich and poor. Applause. For the greater good of this country. For democracy.
6 years ago he already know many voice from citizens. Yet pap didn’t bother.
WP all the way
Unsure if the people manage to see where WP stand was. I assume, LTK was trying to say that they wanted a zero influx of foreigners. The government disagreed, hence they let it go as not to hinder the government.
*Not mentioning, LTK kept emphasised that it was a decision made at the point in time only **-.-**". He seems to be lacking in confidence in the decision he made then lol.*
On the other hand, PM Lee was trying to say that the WP, if was firm on the decision they made, should have continued to voice their demand for zero influx of foreigners. State the benefits of it. How is Singapore going to survive with zero influx? How to go about handling the demands? These are what WP lacked.
This is the reason why PAP mentioned that it's always easy for the opposition to suggestion and criticise. With no solid plan to back what they suggest, everyone can can go on the parliament and voice it out. It's easy.
If the government was to accept WP's zero inflow of foreigners, and SMEs start to shut down. Growth of businesses starts to diminish. Who will take the blame?
Of course, it can be argued that it will help to force the SMEs to be more productive etc. It's going to take more than a page to argue on it.
It's a risk we can ill afford. I agree that it only can be reduced. Not stopping it totally.
Parliamentary speeches still don’t handle national issues or policies naturally. It seems more like handling personal grudges, cos I could see the choice of words and tone the MPs use on the opposition. Stop that! All parties need to be respected.
As an Entrance Screener, I saw Mr Low a few times at Tan Tock Seng Hospital B3 between 2020 to 2021.
Salute Mr Low👍🙏
Guess by now WP need to be respected. It seem like WP is or was belittled in the house at this debate
Sir Low, My Salute to Your BraveHeart
Is it just me or does it feel like instead of trying to clear up the points raised and looking to resolve the issues, they nit pick on the small discrepancies in their words and to ridicule and put down the opposition (even if the point they used to put down the opposition may or may not be true). Imagine if they were to get straight to the point and PM Lee was to get straight to the point and ask Mr Low on what would he have suggested to do (e.g regarding the foreign workers), would that not have save so much time and take a step towards finding a solution?
love this debate on both sides. that's what a first world parliament should be about.
Confidence can be interpreted as arrogance, and such arrogance will lead to self failure
This exchange is so full of attacks and is so unconstructive! I can't believe this is happening in the parliament of Singapore...
Precisely... O.o
because now instead of focusing on policies, they have to invest some time to win some votes too
talk about two party system lol
I am thankful and felt blessed for PM Lee. He is kind and caring in person and fight like a lion for his beliefs. I hope he can lead us for as long as he can. God Bless PM Lee.
Singapore is so small we don't need two party to fight with each other. And we can't afford the consequence. We need you to work together to build a better Singapore.
Very good
Is it only me who hear a complacent and sarcastic side of debate?Dayum.
I guess we've seen enough for ourselves, by giving aljunied/hougang GRC for opposition to handle. To be blunt, WP couldn't even manage those areas well, what's more leaving Singapore to them? Have we not given opposition enough chances to prove how incompetent they really are? We might not agree with PAP policies sometimes, but does PAP have a vision for Singapore? Yes, I see that they have. Does WP have a vision for Singapore, till date I havent seen any from them. All they do is criticize and "improve" on the current policies. But have they came up with real solid proposal, a proposal that is completely ORIGINAL and a TRUE alternative? We don't need someone who will only ECHO our unhappiness during elections. We need someone who is a THINKER.
We need a leader with a VISION. Someone who is willing to lay down his/her entire life and put the nation's interests before theirs. NOT their FRIENDS/SUPPORTERS interests BEFORE the nation. This, my dear friends is a perfect case where we cannot entrust our nation to an opposition who obviously hasn't seen millions of dollars before, hence trying to find ways to pocket it or remove them from the sinking fund with no intention to return.
If you think PAP is not doing a satisfying job, then wait until you see another capable leader (by capable I mean good education status, a thinker, someone who thinks for the nation). Not voting for random opposition JUST because you dislike PAP. This is not what a responsible citizen should do.
We received first world education, please act like a first world citizen.
I fully agree with you.
***** Are you able to audit PAP GRC?
***** Read this www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/auditor-general-s-report/1985482.html
+Y Leo Can't agree more. Pls allow me to quote u in some of my convo in the future ~
It takes guts to debate with straight A pap jokers. And i salute Loh for his brave effort despite speaking teowchew english.
I'm quite indifferent about Singapore politics honestly, and after watching this debate, literally as a debate (politics aside), i feel that as an opposition, you have an obligation to contest the ideas of the proposition that you feel the proposition is doing wrong.
Like PM Lee has mentioned, if you just agree with whatever the proposition is doing and say "they could do better/there is room for improvement", how is that being an opposition? Rather, if that were the case, there wouldn't even be an argument to debate in the first place. Granted, you could make small debates about the intricacies of the big policies, but the opposition can't just rely on nitty gritty details and must be able to come up with large, game changing arguments that is by principle, different, but arguably better than the proposition's stand.
Now, with reference to politics, as an opposition leader voted into parliament by the people, you have an obligation to be sharp and tackle all the points where the ruling party is doing wrong/you don't believe in, and go at it with all your might. That is what the people voted you in for. To see change and have their voices heard. True, no single party is perfect, but that's where the opposition comes in, to pick out the mistakes, propose BETTER alternatives and debate, and if they were indeed better, the debate outcome would be evident and ultimately, we progress together as a nation.
Pm may be better in english speaking,but even better in some "others"
I realized LKH was speaking with his mouth crooked.
But i do say that LKH tried do his part as checking mechanism. Just that is not enough. And i realized when PM Lee tried to crack a joke, PAP member laugh together. Lol
Good answer. If you can talk. you can walk along. side no need to talking
Lol. I guess the vocabulary, the enunciation and the confidence speaks quite strongly for itself. The fluidity and swiftness is quite remarkable.
We currently have 30% Singaporeans voters who definitely would not vote PAP because of unhappiness with their policies (these are die-hard pro-opposition voters), another unknown percentage of die-hard PAP supporters (because they benefited substantially from the system and policies) and an unknown size middle-ground voters who could vote either side depending on which candidates are more suitable/deserving, which parties policies/schemes seem more beneficial to them and what they have done during the past 6 years for them and the community. The two parties different stands on this foreign population growth issue definitely would substantially affect the voters voting choice in the next election.
+Fabian Eng Hardcore PAP is about 50%. Swing votes 20%.
The swing votes will determine every GRC,SMC.
+Bryan Teo Based on the 2011 election results, 50% does not seem like the case. Based on non-PAP parties worse performing district (Amy Khor's district), 30% seem more like the figure. She pulled the middle-ground to her side because she spent the most money in her campaign and her opponent was not that strong.
Fabian Eng maybe u are right, singaporeans are practical will vote for the powerful and rich. The swing voters and hardcore opp can amount to 60% everywhere if opp puts up a good candidate.
For so much I wished the opposition parties can grow in Singapore, the lack of policy focus in major economic and national issues and also the lack of talented and visionary political talents are really taking a toll at the confidence of Singaporeans to place trust on them and voting them. Still, the dominance of PAP for the past 50 years may have also indirectly caused this to happen as it holds all the political chips (Palimentary seats and ministerial positions). I seriously urge young and talented Singaporeans who are interested in politics and wish to make a change in Singapore for Singapore rise to the challenge and join opposition parties. In this case, we Singaporeans can then eventually achieve true democracy...
You may dislike PAP or whatever, BUT LHL has a point. It easy for WP to say zero foreigner growth and all the gov need to do is to shift them around etc. Who will do the shifting? How much they understand SMEs and the business dynamic and competition? did they look into the statistic before simply give a solution like this? This is something I can also say. Opposition is like giving very surface solution that a P6 student can give. There is not in-depth and economic study in the solution other then finding the obvious. There is still a long way to go for a truly talented and legit opposition to step in, not by the merit of how they speak, but an actual doer.
Good
This one LHL wins because LTK didn't answer the question directly, how does LTK propose the policy on foreign workers? Is it enough, how much is the limit, how do you limit? Is he in agreement with the policy or now disagree and propose an alternative. There was not a clear answer at the end of the session. After all that has been said, what is the conclusion? Just state the point. Btw, LHL can be quite savage in his words. However hats off to LTK for his guts to speak up to LHL
I like the term 'substandard opposition'.
2020 WP still win....
Wow
i fully support PAP. .
what is this entire debate about actually?
At 1:25, WHAT DID HE SAY? It's not that I support the ruling party, but how can I support an opposition party when the leader cannot even speak English properly? How can I vote for someone who says "constructive" as "constructee", "mentioned" as "manktion" and "shift" as "sheeee", let alone be able to communicate with leaders of OTHER COUNTRIES and promote bilateral ties? Can you imagine what the people of other countries will say? And I'm only at the tip of the mother-effing iceberg. No. No man. LTK please understand that Singaporeans are not stupid, and younger Singaporeans like myself are well educated, ENOUGH to know that you won't make it out there. Don't even talk about "in Singahporh". Not every one is voting blindly. Most of us do actually THINK before voting, in case you, LTK, were not.. in the loop should we say. Please, bear that in mind.
Can allow people express the view, especially a MP, either opposition party or not. Pls lah!
I don't understand why Pm lee said WP should this and that. Mr Low's party do not work under him. Secondly if I'm correct, Mr low originally chinese educated and so his English will have a strong chinese accent.
Awesome speech our PM Mr, LHL.
Hmmmmm... Not very gentlemently of LHL to ridicule LTK bcus of his ability to speak english... Well, i understand PAP's view- due to the serious shortage of manpower in SG, many of the SMEs wouldnt be able to survive if not for the foreign workers...without these smes, just how many singaporeans will lose their jobs too? Its a cycle. But SG cant just keep growing it'll explode. Its right that workers party voiced out the immediate concerns of many struggling singaporeans, but they arent really providing any practical suggestion. Its all up to PAP to wreck their brains to find a soln. Maybe just slow down a little by a time. No one's right no one's wrong. Not that i support PAP but there just arent any better opposition parties that could take the role as our govt...
Cause the WP has to be low-profile. They are outnumbered
Is the white paper on population growth still valid in July 2020?
Next time let LTK speak teochew please lol
... this is what they talk about in parliament? I understand why it’s important but so much time has been wasted.. what happened to fighting for Singaporean’s rights and everything each party have promised during elections?
what a big waste of time...
I really can't imagine how Mr. Low representing Singapore on the global stage, that will be a joke.
My salute to PM Lee,a truly gentleman.
Of course he can. If he needs a translator, he can very well hire one. Not all premiers speak English.
Averagebum Bum You would at least expect them to be fluent in their administrative language. It would be very embarrassing for Singapore if our leader required a translator to be understood.
english is not the only language in the world. i don't see any problem with a leader having bad english.. jus look at asia, how many can speak fluently with no mistake? look at japan, china, hong kong. =.=
ssassass123
Somehow my reply has disappeared. I wrote in reply that the administrative written language in Singapore is English, and its spoken language is Singlish.
looneytuneeeeeeee123 Well it's a problem if a country's leader can't speak it's freaking official language properly.
switch on captions for some epicness
LTK is tough guy!
Admire him.
The level of debates are immeasurable
speak well in rally, in parliament ???
its nice to watch PM lee gets angry, if not too easy job for him. well done opposition. :)
agree with Jason Chua .
Posted by PMO xD
Bankupting?
What is Singapore's real issue? The older generations of 'migrant stock' who are in the 'poverty traps' financially. Growing old without a few cents in the pockets is quite pathetic. It is a heavy burden to a government with the biggest headache. Say is easy but to solve it is like 'squeezing water out of stones'.
Fighting💪💪💪PM Lee
Singapore works very well, much preferable to China
Well done PM Lee!!, in thee we ent
rusted our children and country's future only... but please let me enjoy more of my CPF while I am still healthy and younger...Do not leave it to be spent when I am not capable to enjoy it anymore....
Why he looks like so funny. He is not serous. I did not feel his care about the future Singapore.
Dont feel this is a debate..
we need capable leaders to "do things" and "manage" our country, and not an eloquent speaker to represent us in the parliament or the world stage; after all, you would better serve getting a native Englishman or a marketer to do that.
(p.s. - I don't see why Singaporeans should exchange verbal insults; this is the job of the politicians; we are stakeholders and should make judgement that is best for us come 2016)
Dont know what on earth is low thia khiang is even trying to say! PAP for life!!!
PM best 7.50~8.00 mints
You think, I thought, who confirm? Facts, statistics, please.
Omg 7:11 so sarcastic!
luckily you are not in the debate team.....you loose big time even to a secondary students.
one of the reason why I dont waste my vote to wp is because I don't need a opposition just to bark or slap at the government with out contributing constructive and alternative ideals .barking at the govt any bodies are capable of that . I fear for my child future if wp take over pap then we will be another Japan . gone with the wind.
The problem with the opposition's argument is that instead of debating about the real issue at hand, they took PM Lee's comment's personally and started arguing and explaining about WP's standard itself. If you really are up to the standard you think you are, then behave like it, not waste time in Parliament House talking about it. Can't even state your own point properly, how can we expect you to address country issues?
+Yan Hui Ashley WP did what they had to do that is got their message across. They could not have done more since they would definitely lose when it is time to decide by voting in parliament. In case you did not get the message why they claimed to be a responsible opposition, it is just not spending too much time arguing over things that are correct thereby causing unnecessary delays with little things achieved. At least Hougang and Aljunied voters felt that Mr Low was doing OK and continued to vote him into parliament thereby ensuring that our country would not fall back into a communist-look-a-like system of only one party rule instead of the democratic system that our National Pledge states.
Voting For PAP.. Sorry opposition.. this video just shows us the absolute need for leaders like PM Lee.. For the prosperity and continual progress of Singapore.. Am feeling blessed to be in the good hands of the current government.. Shalom
Pm lee's points are reasonable but I don't understand mr low's position.. Just saying. "Do you abstain from abstaining?" Hahaha
Wow... Even such small things the WP cannot stand firm and take responsibility on their stand regarding the white paper issues, cannot imagine what will happen if they hold the majority seats in the government. When things screwed up big time by them, they probably will weasel their way out and shoo the responsibilities away. Well said PM Lee.