SINGAPORE, July 28 — Singapore’s first Leader of the Opposition, Pritam Singh, will receive confidential briefings on select matters pertaining to national security and external relations and may be called on to attend state functions, visits and meetings.

As part of his duties, he will be expected to lead the opposition in presenting alternative views in parliamentary debates. He will receive double the allowance of an elected Member of Parliament — at about S$385,000 (RM1.2 million) annually — and be provided an office and the use of a meeting room in Parliament House, among other privileges.

In a statement issued today, the Office of the Speaker of Parliament and Office of the Leader of the House outlined the duties and privileges that will be accorded in the 14^th Parliament to this new role, which is not provided for in Singapore’s Constitution or the Standing Orders of Parliament.

The 14^th Parliament will open on Aug 24, with President Halimah Yacob giving the opening address. This will be followed by a parliamentary debate a week after.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had announced in the wee hours of July 11 — following the results of the General Election held the previous day — that Singh, who leads the Workers’ Party (WP), would be formally designated Leader of the Opposition, and that the Government will provide him with the appropriate staff members and resources to enable him to carry out his duties.

These duties are: