SINGAPORE – The Workers’ Party

to nominate another MP as Leader of the Opposition shows it has closed ranks around its chief Pritam Singh, said analysts.

The speed of the decision – coming less than a week after

PM Wong removed Mr Singh from the post

on Jan 15 – also reflects party unity and that it is “clear-cut” to the WP that the costs of taking the role outweigh the benefits, they said.

The opposition party had on Jan 21 said it is “unable to accept” PM Wong’s invitation, and it takes the view that the leader of the largest opposition party in Parliament is the leader of the Opposition.

The Prime Minister’s Office said in response that

the Government accepts the WP’s decision

and that the office will remain vacant until the party chooses to nominate someone.

Independent political observer Felix Tan said the WP’s decision was “hardly surprising” as it reinforces the party’s MPs’ ongoing support for Mr Singh.

On Jan 14, all 11 WP MPs present dissented on a motion in Parliament that stated Mr Singh was unsuitable for the role. The House