SINGAPORE - The number of elected opposition MPs in Parliament is important, said Workers' Party secretary-general Low Thia Khiang.

Speaking to reporters during a walkabout in his old stomping ground of Hougang on Wednesday (Sept 2), Mr Low reiterated that at least 20 opposition MPs are needed to effectively check the Government, given the numerous ministries and statutory boards.

He had first raised the figure at the WP's first round of candidate introductions last week.

Said Mr Low: "The number counts, let's face the facts. Because I was in Parliament for the past 20 years. I spoke on a lot of issues for the past 20 years. Nothing has happened.

"When I moved out in 2011, when we got seven elected MPs, you see the changes."

In a press conference on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that it is the quality of opposition MPs which counts, not the numbers.

Mr Low also took aim at the PAP, which he said had flip-flopped on issues such as population.

Asked about whether having too much opposition might lead to gridlock for the country, WP chairman Sylvia Lim said: "I think Singaporeans have to ask themselves whether they think they are better served with a Parliament that consists of all MPs from the ruling party."

Mr Low is defending Aljunied GRC (group representation constituency) with Ms Lim, Mr Chen Show Mao, Mr Pritam Singh and Mr Faisal Manap.

The five joined Hougang SMC (single-member constituency) incumbent Png Eng Huat to greet residents in Hougang on Wednesday morning, before going to a market at Lorong Ah Soo.