Leader of the Opposition (Singapore)

Leader of the Opposition of Singapore
Incumbent Pritam Singh since 24 August 2020 [1]
Parliament of Singapore
Style	Leader of the Opposition (informal) The Honourable (formal)
Abbreviation	LO [2]
Appointer	Prime Minister of Singapore
Term length	No term limit
Inaugural holder	Lee Kuan Yew (de facto) Pritam Singh (de jure)
Formation	22 April 1955;69 years ago (1955-04-22) (de facto) 24 August 2020;3 years ago (2020-08-24) (de jure)
Salary	S$385,000 annually (including S$192,500 MP salary)

The leader of the opposition is a position in the Parliament of Singapore referring to a politician who leads the largest opposition party in Singapore, typically the leader of the party possessing the most seats in Parliament that is not the governing party or part of the governing coalition. ^[3] The position was formally established in 2020, with Pritam Singh from the Worker's Party since 24 August 2020. ^[4]

History

The leader of the opposition was formerly an unofficial de facto position in the Parliament of Singapore, as the constitution and standing orders of Parliament did not provide for such a position. ^[5]

The formal office was established in the aftermath of the 2020 general election, which saw the Worker's Party winning ten seats in Parliament. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the creation of the formal office and that the leader of the opposition would be provided with the appropriate manpower support and resources ^{[6] [7]} to perform the parliamentary role. Pritam Singh was designated as leader of the opposition since 2020. ^{[8] [9]}

As in other Commonwealth countries with a Westminster parliamentary system of government, the parliamentary appointment is supported with a secretariat and is additionally given office space in the Parliament buildings. ^[3]

Due to its former status as a de facto role, the leader of the opposition did not draw any additional allowance by virtue of holding the position and were entitled only to the usual ordinary remuneration allowance granted to other regular Members of Parliament. With the creation of the formal office, Parliament announced that the appointment holder will draw an annual salary of S$385,000, double the salary of a regular MP. ^{[5] [10]}

Duties

The leader of the opposition is expected to lead the opposition in presenting alternative views in parliamentary debates on policies, bills and motions, and organise the scrutiny of the Government’s positions and actions in Parliament and be consulted on the appointment of opposition members to Select Committees, including Standing Select Committees such as the Public Accounts Committee.

In addition to his parliamentary duties, the leader of the opposition may be called upon to take on other duties such as attending official state functions and taking part in visits and meetings alongside members of the Government and the Public Service. ^[11]

Powers and resources

In Parliament, the leader of the opposition will generally be given the right of first response among Members of Parliament, and will be allowed ask the lead question to the ministers on policies, bills and motions, subject to existing speaking conventions. The leader of the opposition will also be given a longer speaking duration for speeches, equivalent to that given to political officeholders. ^[11]

In addition to the government data or information available to other MPs, the leader of the opposition will receive confidential briefings by the Government on select matters of national security and external relations, and in the event of a national crisis or emergency. ^[11]

The leader of the opposition will be provided an office and the use of a meeting room in Parliament House. ^[11] He will also receive allowances to hire up to three additional legislative assistants. This is in addition to the allowances all MPs receive for one legislative assistant and one secretarial assistant. The leader of the opposition will also be provided with a secretary to support him administratively with parliamentary business. ^[11]

De facto leaders of the opposition

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Party
1		Lee Kuan Yew MP for Tanjong Pagar SMC (until 1991) (1923–2015)	22 April 1955	31 March 1959		People's Action Party
2		Lim Yew Hock MP for Cairnhill SMC (until 1963) (1914–1984)	1 July 1959	3 September 1963		Singapore People's Alliance
3		Lim Huan Boon MP for Bukit Merah SMC (until 1965) (born 1929)	22 October 1963	31 December 1965		Barisan Sosialis
4		Chia Thye Poh MP for Jurong SMC (until 1966) (born 1941)	1 January 1966	7 October 1966		Barisan Sosialis
Vacant 7 October 1966–22 December 1981
5		J. B. Jeyaretnam MP for Anson SMC (until 1986) (1926–2008)	22 December 1981	10 November 1986		Workers' Party
6		Chiam See Tong MP for Potong Pasir SMC (until 2011) (born 1935)	10 November 1986	17 May 1993		Singapore Democratic Party
7		Ling How Doong MP for Bukit Gombak SMC (until 1996) (1934–2021)	17 May 1993	16 December 1996		Singapore Democratic Party
(6)		Chiam See Tong MP for Potong Pasir SMC (until 2011) (born 1935)	26 May 1997	20 April 2006		Singapore People's Party (until 2001)
						Singapore Democratic Alliance (from 2001)
8		Low Thia Khiang MP for Hougang SMC (until 2011) MP for Aljunied GRC (until 2020) (born 1956)	2 November 2006	8 April 2018		Workers' Party
9		Pritam Singh MP for Aljunied GRC (from 2011) (born 1976)	8 April 2018	23 June 2020		Workers' Party

De jure leaders of the opposition

No.	Portrait	Name (Birth–Death)	Took office	Left office	Party
1		Pritam Singh MP for Aljunied GRC (from 2011) (born 1976)	24 August 2020	Incumbent		Workers' Party

See also

• Politics portal
• Singapore portal

• Prime Minister of Singapore
• Leader of the Opposition

References

1. Pritam Singh has served as the unofficial opposition leader since 8 April 2018 until the office was recognized in 2020.
2. 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.
3. "Leader of Opposition Pritam Singh could be given access to govt data, resources but Shadow Cabinet can wait: Analysts". TODAYonline.
4. "Pritam Singh elected new WP chief, succeeding Low Thia Khiang". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 8 April 2018. Retrieved 29 April 2018.
5. Kurohi, Rei (28 July 2020). "Parliament sets out duties and privileges of Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh". The Straits Times.
6. "PAP's openness to sharing information will determine extent of realistic policy alternatives, says WP's Pritam Singh". The Straits Times. 18 July 2020.
7. "WP will continue to question Government, release working papers on issues affecting Singaporeans: Pritam Singh". CNA.
8. "Singapore GE2020: WP chief Pritam Singh to be named Leader of the Opposition". The Straits Times. 11 July 2020.
9. "GE2020: PAP has a 'clear mandate', but popular vote share 'not as high' as hoped: PM Lee". cna. 11 July 2020.
10. Pritam, Singh. "Opposition MPs will 'work extra hard' to put forth alternative ideas despite limitations, says Pritam Singh". TODAYonline. Retrieved 31 August 2020.
11. "Pritam Singh to be accorded additional parliamentary privileges, double allowance as Leader of the Opposition". CNA. Retrieved 18 March 2022.