SINGAPORE: In response to political analysts calling his parliamentary style “confrontational”, Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai said that he is only trying his best to seek responses to questions he thinks has not been answered in Parliament.
That said, Mr Leong acknowledged that there were parliamentary procedures that he was not familiar with and with more experience he expects to become “more polished”.
“Over time we have understood the processes more and I think my style should appear to be more polished going forward,” said Mr Leong during a press conference by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) at its headquarters at Bukit Timah Shopping Centre on Saturday (May 27).
This was the first time Mr Leong was speaking at a press conference since being elected as the party’s new secretary-general in April.
Also on the panel was PSP’s chairman and founder, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, and vice-chairman Hazel Poa.
Laying out broad strokes about the party’s direction and plans in preparation for the next General Election (GE) — which is due to be held by November 2025 — Mr Leong said that the party will be focusing on rallying support.
Following the election of the new central executive committee, Mr Leong said that there is no need to dismantle and restructure the party’s leadership and he will be building on the values and structures that the previous leaders have put in place.
“BASIC DUTIES OF A PARLIAMENTARIAN”
Mr Leong said that whether his style is “confrontational” — which he said was coined by analysts, depends on how one views his actions.
“If you think that every time I pursue a minister for a definitive answer and every time I answer the speaker in order to get an opportunity to talk — that is confrontational, then I cannot say anything because I would think that is the basic duties of a parliamentarian,” said Mr Leong.
He added that as a parliamentarian, he believes that he should push for answers if none are given.
“You cannot just ask a question, the minister didn’t answer you then you sit down right? You have to ask another question,” he said.
He added that he will leave this to the judgement of Singaporeans.
Agreeing, Dr Tan said that these are “labels thrown at” Mr Leong.
“Sometimes it is not a confrontation, it is trying to get an answer. The style is different, that’s all,” said Dr Tan.