Parliament set to debate changes

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Apr 24, 2010

Parliament set to debate political changes

By Jeremy Au Yong

MEMBERS of Parliament are in two minds over the proposed move to have more alternative voices in Parliament.

While they welcome it, they wonder if it could turn out to be a case of quantity over quality.

The proposed changes, up for debate on Monday, include increasing the minimum number of Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) from three to nine, and entrenching the Nominated MP (NMP) scheme.

NCMPs are the best performers among opposition candidates who lose at the polls; while NMPs, who are not elected, provide alternative, non-partisan views.

The two proposals ensure that each Parliament would have at least 18 members who are not from the ruling party.

But People's Action Party (PAP) MP Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah GRC), is concerned as more voices do not necessarily result in more constructive debate.

He said: 'People elected who are accountable to their residents think differently because at the end of the day, you know you have to answer to someone.

'I'm just wondering how we can ensure the debate will be constructive and it won't be just a lot of noise.'

Similarly, the PAP's Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) worries that some of those who come into Parliament via the 'back door' might be disruptive. She wants to know what steps could be taken to ensure Parliament remains effective.

NMP Calvin Cheng told The Straits Times he opposes the move to raise the number of NCMPs because Parliament did not need 'opposition for the sake of opposition'.

He said: 'If opposition MPs are to enter Parliament, it should be on their own merit, through a popular mandate by the people. This is the only way a good and strong opposition can grow in Singapore.'

The debate in the House on Monday, however, will likely take in the entire slate of changes to the political system announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong last May.

He unveiled four changes: tweaks to the NCMP and NMP scheme, as well as moves to decrease the average size of Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and increase the number of single-seat wards.

Last November, he added one change: a cooling-off day, on the eve of Polling Day, when no campaigning would be allowed. It is to give voters time to reflect on issues raised before casting their vote.

The changes to the NCMP and NMP schemes, as well as the addition of a cooling-off day, are being effected through amendments to the Constitution, Presidential Elections Act and Parliamentary Elections Act. The relevant Bills have already been tabled and will be debated on Monday.

Shrinking the GRCs and adding single-seat wards do not require changes to the law. These can be specified in the terms of reference of the Electoral Boundaries Committee that redraws the boundaries before a general election.

If Parliament approves the changes, they will take effect in time for the next general election due by next February.

Given the significance of the amendments, a line of MPs are expected to join in the debate.

Ms Irene Ng (Tampines GRC) intends to question the move to make the NMP scheme permanent rather than subject to Parliament's approval after every election.

'I don't think it is fair or correct to put them as a permanent institution alongside MPs who had to fight to get into Parliament and to submit themselves to open scrutiny by the people for the privilege to serve them and to speak for them. The implication is the NMPs have earned their place in Parliament, like the other MPs. I don't think they have.'

As for the move to increase NCMPs, she hoped it would spur the opposition to field more candidates.

Said Ms Ng: 'I hope the opposition can walk the talk so that Singaporeans can assess the quality of the opposition. I also hope that, with smaller GRCs and more single seats, the opposition will contest all seats so that more Singaporeans will have a chance to vote.'

Opposition MPs Low Thia Khiang (Hougang) and Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir) and NCMP Sylvia Lim could not be reached for comment.

Mr Low has said previously that simply growing the opposition presence via the NCMP scheme was insufficient for growing opposition parties.

Six Bills are also set to be tabled, including one that proposes amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code which lays down, among others, the rules and procedures governing the investigations, prosecutions, trials and convictions of accused persons.

Other issues MPs will raise include the hit-and-run accident involving former Romanian diplomat Silviu Ionescu.