Populist is a dirty word! Or is it welfare?
SINGAPORE — Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin on 11 July 2023 apologised for using “unparliamentary language” in his reaction to a speech made by Workers’ Party Member of Parliament (MP) Jamus Lim.
In a video circulating on social media, Mr Tan can be heard muttering the words “f****** populist” after Associate Professor Jamus Lim’s speech, before calling on MP Vikram Nair of Sembawang GRC.
Jamus Lim who is MP for Sengkang GRC, had been speaking about the need for an “official poverty line” to help the poor and disadvantaged living in Singapore, advocating for equal opportunities for education, healthcare and employment for all.
“f****** populist”
Evidently disgusted with the populist suggestion, Mr Tan then became apologetic and said that he had since apologised to Jamus Lim for his remarks, which the latter has “kindly accepted”.
“Speaker did indeed call, and I have accepted his apology,” Jamus wrote. While the expletive referred to Jamus Lim’s suggestion, it should be noted that cursing at better welfare for the elderly is a very significant revelation.
As usual, the haters flooded social media with posts that remind us that some people don’t practise what they preach. Parliamentary behaviour. They do have a point, but that’s not the main point.
There are two main issues that have outraged the public. The holy ones were appalled by Tan Chuan Jin’s language. The idealists quoted the Singapore Parliament website which says that:
“In carrying out the duties in the House, the Speaker must remain impartial and fair to all MPs. The Speaker regulates and enforces the rules of debate. He decides who has the right to speak and puts the question for the House to debate on and vote. The Speaker does not take part in the debates of the House but can abstain or vote for or against a motion if he has an original vote as an elected Member. The Speaker has no casting vote. As the guardian of parliamentary privileges, MPs look to the Speaker for guidance on procedures and he gives his rulings on any point of order, if necessary.“
Should TCJ continue to serve as the Speaker of Parliament and “guardian of parliamentary privilege”?
Some folks say that he ought to resign. But what were they expecting from him? Impartiality? Yao mo gao chor ah? Expecting him to be neutral or impartial is like expecting there to be no male baby preference in China because of equal rights.
To me, the vulgarity is a small issue and I certainly don’t expect him to be impartial. The thing that “f****** populist” reveals of his nature is more significant. The big issue here is how much Jamus Lim’s request for better welfare for the elderly has irked him. If it appeared as if Jamus Lim was suggesting that we raid the reserves, a compassionate MP who doesn’t agree might mutter “how to afford?”. Or at most “your grandfather’s money ah?”.
But Tan Chuan Jin didn’t say anything to that effect. Instead, he said “f****** populist”. The obvious question that comes to mind is, would a caring person show this level of derision or contempt for “populist” suggestions?
I don’t give a hoot whether he apologised or not. There is nothing to forgive or to be angry about. What should strike us and strike us hard, is that his elitist nature is vulgarly exposed. He probably still believes that our elderly folks are collecting cardboard boxes for a great workout.
Frankly that is what “f****** populist” has revealed to us. We should be thankful for that.
New Book!
