Opposition leader’s proposal gains support as a tool for fostering social cohesion.
SINGAPORE: A video clip of Workers’ Party leader Pritam Singh’s speech, shared on Reddit on Monday (May 1), highlighted his call for a mandatory English proficiency test for individuals applying for citizenship or permanent residency in Singapore. The test, he argued, would aid in the integration of new residents into Singaporean society.
Pritam Singh emphasized that the proposal was not about diminishing the importance of mother-tongue languages, but about ensuring that all citizens and permanent residents could communicate effectively in the national language, English. He referred to a CNA poll conducted in early April, where nearly 80% of Singaporean citizens supported the introduction of such a test for new applicants.
“I proposed an English requirement during last month’s Committee of Supply debate,” Singh said. “Following the release of the survey, it’s clear that the majority of Singaporeans see this as a practical measure for integration.”
The proposal was initially misunderstood by some as a divisive issue, with critics suggesting it would undermine mother-tongue education. However, Singh stressed that the focus was always on integration, and the public support shown in the survey reaffirmed that understanding.
Commenters on Reddit and TikTok, where the clip was also shared, generally expressed agreement with Singh’s stance. One Reddit user wrote, “I can’t see why anyone would disagree with this,” while another commented, “Pritam is exactly the kind of opposition we need.”
A TikTok user echoed the sentiment, saying, “It’s not about the superiority of English, but about having a common language that unites everyone.”
