Four motions pertaining to PMDs were passed. The team which played the role of the majority government proposed the introduction of third party insurance for PMD users and to regulate standards for their batteries. The Ministry of National Development was also empowered to upgrade charging ports for PMDs. The opposing team’s contentious motion that only PMD users who are 18 years and above be given PMD licences was also approved, thanks to support from NMPs.
“How do users monitor speed then?”
Parliament sitting resumed in the afternoon Several participants, who role-played NMPs, questioned the enforcement of the speed limit as PMDs have no speedometers.
“Let’s impose a demerit point system for PMDs -- same as for cars and motorcycles.”
Kenneth Yeo, who played the role of deputy speaker in the afternoon sitting, opened the session, which addressed the issue of growing inequality in Singapore.
Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs)
Kenneth Yeo
(Nee Soon Central Branch) Samantha Lau from the government bench said her team (Ministry of Social and Family Development) had worked with the Ministry of Education to help students make a smooth transition from education to working life so that they could realise their career aspirations.
Samantha Lau
(Kembangan Chai Chee Branch)
Ghina Natasha, from the mock opposition bench, said that PMDs are a menace that should not be allowed on footpaths.
Participant Ng Tian Jie pointed out there are schemes such as SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme, and Work-Learn Bootcamp to help fresh graduates and mid-career professionals secure good jobs. Both Ms Lau and Mr Ng represented front bench roles in the government team.
Ghina Natasha (Keat Hong Branch)
“You are adopting the same old positions, implementing small changes in tackling a problem that just grows bigger.” Jonathan Tan, who had the role of leader of the mock opposition team, criticised the government’s lack of foresight in dealing with the proliferation of PMDs which has resulted in three to five accidents a week and numerous battery fires.
Jonathan Tan
(Bukit Panjang Branch)
Participant Ow Yew Wah, who took on a front bench role in the Ministry of National Development, said that PMDs can help ease traffic congestion.
Ow Yew Wah
(Bedok Reservoir Branch)
Ng Tian Jie
(Radin Mas Branch) Participant Daniel Liu, who played the role of the opposing team’s party whip, said a person’s class background greatly influences academic opportunity and social mobility, resulting in greater social stratification.
Daniel Liu
(Nee Soon East Branch)
After intense debate, the motion proposed by the opposing team to remove minimum educational qualifications for jobs in government departments, and the motion raised by the majority government bench to increase SkillsFuture funding were passed.
Mr Benjamin Tan, PPF Council member and YP Deputy Region Chairman of HollandBukit Timah, told Petir: “I feel that every participant did well as everyone gave their best for the intensive two-week preparation period, and I look forward to future instalments of this exercise.”
Benjamin Tan (Zhenghua Branch)
DEC 2018
27
