In a bold announcement on May 5, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong confirmed that Pritam Singh, the chief of the Workers’ Party (WP), will continue to serve as the Leader of the Opposition in Singapore. This comes after some uncertainty from Singh himself, who hinted at his potential departure from the role.

Singh had expressed ambivalence just a day earlier, stating, "I don’t know whether I’m going to be Leader of the Opposition. This is something the government of the day has to decide. So let’s see what happens there." Sowhat prompted PM Wong's resounding confirmation?

In a Facebook update, Wong declared, "Mr. Singh will continue as Leader of the Opposition, with staff and resources to perform his duties." He emphasized the WP's commendable performance in the recent elections, noting their strong slate of candidates and their substantial parliamentary presence, which includes ten elected seats and two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seats.

Despite losing by razor-thin margins in Jalan Kayu SMC and Tampines GRC, the Workers’ Party has firmly retained Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC, and Hougang SMC, solidifying their place as the only opposition party in parliament.

To maintain a minimum number of opposition voices, the NCMP seats are allocated to the best-performing opposition candidates in cases where fewer than twelve candidates are elected. Pritam Singh, who was officially appointed to the Leader of the Opposition post after the 2020 elections, plays a critical role in providing checks and balances within Singapore's political landscape.

As the Leader of the Opposition, Singh is privy to confidential briefings regarding national security and external affairs, particularly during crises. Moreover, he is entitled to an increased allowance, allowing him to hire up to three legislative assistants, beyond the typical support provided to other MPs.

This leadership role brings significant accountability, with Singh receiving a double allowance compared to an elected MP, amounting to approximately S$385,000 (US$298,000) annually. As he continues to navigate Singapore's complex political terrain, all eyes will be on Singh and the contributions of the Workers' Party in upcoming parliamentary sessions.