PAP Marcus Loh accuses WP’s MP of alleged dishonesty on debate about reserves

SINGAPORE: Mr Marcus Loh, Branch Chairperson of the People’s Action Party (PAP) Sengkang East division, has ignited controversy by accusing Workers’ Party (WP) Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Louis Chua of supposedly lacking honesty in a parliamentary debate concerning Singapore’s reserves.

The accusation stems from Mr Chua’s remarks during a parliamentary debate on 7 February, where he discussed the nation’s reserves and the review of public finances to aid Singaporeans.

Mr Loh, in a video posted on social media, scrutinized “certain lines” from Mr Chua’s debate, alleging that it “didn’t come from an honest place.”

Mr Loh highlighted Mr Chua’s assertion that CPF ordinary account holders were denied equivalent benefits from Government Investment Corporation (GIC) returns.

He expressed concern over what he perceived as a narrative suggesting that the Singaporean government withheld benefits from its citizens, which he deemed dishonest.

“He essentially charges that the CPF ordinary account holders were denied the same benefits, the returns, from GIC,” Mr Loh said in his video.

“I thought that was quite concerning as a position to be taking, because it advances a certain rhetoric that the Singapore government has been withholding benefits, the fruits of our labour, our investments, from Singaporeans.”

“I thought that didn’t come from an honest place, to be honest,” he added.

In his critique, Mr Loh emphasized the risk-free nature of CPF ordinary accounts guaranteed by the Singaporean government, contrasting them with the fluctuating nature of GIC investments.

He questioned whether Mr Chua’s stance implied that CPF account holders should assume the same risk profile as GIC investments.

Mr Loh explained the reason behind his statement, “Mr Chua as an equity analyst, must know that CPF ordinary account, in fact CPF funds for that matter, are risk-free. They are solid, they are guaranteed by the Singapore government.

“GIC’s investment however, are not. They are subjected to the ebbs and flows, fluctuations of the market.

“So if Mr Chua believes that CPF ordinary account holders should enjoy an equivalent rate of return as GIC’s investments, is he also advancing the position that CPF account holders should also carry the same risk profile as GIC investments?”

“Is that the position that he’s putting forward?” Mr Loh asked.

“I mean, if you were doing it in an honest way, then surely that is fair. But that’s not what he said,” Mr Loh said.

He posted the video captured on TikTok on his Instagram page on 10 February with the caption stating that what the WP’s MP Mr Chua said about GIC returns and CPF OA rates “didn’t sit well” with him because it allegedly was not “framed honestly.”

“It also sends the wrong signal to Singaporeans,” he wrote, urging Singaporeans to “stand up for a more balanced viewpoint” with the the hashtag, “#MakeYourVoteCount.”

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Mr Loh serves as the branch leader for PAP Sengkang. On 26 October 2023, the PAP introduced him as a new addition to the opposition-held Sengkang Group Representation Constituency.

Starting on 1 November of the preceding year, Mr Loh assumed the role of branch chair for the ruling party’s Sengkang East division, taking over from Mr Ling Weihong.

This transition occurred less than two years after Mr Ling was introduced as part of a revamped constituency team.

The PAP portrayed Mr Loh as an active party member since 2015, holding positions such as council member in its policy forum and a seat on its Southeast District’s executive committee.

Presently, he serves as director and head of strategic communication, public affairs, and corporate marketing at a Singaporean digital transformation services company.

Records from his LinkedIn profile indicate his employment with Temus, a startup predominantly owned by state investor Temasek.

Described by the PAP as “deeply committed to a meritocratic society that values diverse abilities and offers second chances,” Mr Loh’s involvement underscores his dedication to the party’s principles and objectives.

The team deployed by the PAP to Sengkang is generally regarded as a “suicide squad,” similar to the team assigned to Aljunied GRC, given the party’s decision to withdraw its former candidates, such as labor chief Ng Chee Meng and Amrin Amin, the former senior parliamentary secretary for Home Affairs and Health, from the ward.

Online reactions to Mr Loh’s video

Looking at the feedback on the online platform HardwareZone regarding his video, which was posted with the title “PAP Sengkang star candidate Marcus Loh accuses WP Louis Chua of being not honest,” it appears that many commentators were not receptive to his message.

Some commentators dismissed his remarks as mere theatrics, attributing it to his affiliation with the PAP, which they believe implies a bias against the Workers’ Party (WP).

“(Mr Loh) disagree with anything WP,” one user commented.

Additionally, criticism was directed at Mr Loh for allegedly limiting or disabling the comment section on Instagram and TikTok, where he shared the video.

One user stated that he shouldn’t “hide behind a wall of silence by blocking comments.”

Another pointedly remarked, “Dare to accuse but don’t dare to face criticism.”

Several users also expressed scepticism about Mr Loh’s allegations of dishonesty, noting that they could not identify any such element after watching the debate.

“Anybody can tell me what Louis Chua said had what element of dishonesty?” one user asked.

“I watched the video but can’t figure it out.”

In response, one user emphasized the importance of both sides possessing comprehensive data and facts to ensure a balanced debate, with one user stating that Mr Loh, “should give his opinion/reasoning with evidence, to justify his claims.”

Meanwhile, a user pointed out that none of the MPs corrected Mr Chua if his statements were truly wrong, even though there have been instances of corrections in the past. The user questioned how Mr Loh could notice something that even Ministers and the Prime Minister couldn’t.