MP debates by-election law in Parliament

SevenEleven SG

SINGAPORE : Parliament saw a lively debate on Wednesday as Members of Parliament (MPs) spoke on the issue of by-election laws in Singapore.

Eight MPs spoke on the motion to fine-tune the electoral system - tabled after the death of MP Dr Ong Chit Chung in July. He had been part of the five-member Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Filing the motion were Nominated MPs Thio Li-ann and Dr Loo Choon Yong.

Among the changes mooted under the Parliamentary Elections Act is that a by-election should be called for if a seat is vacated by a GRC member from a minority community, half or more elected GRC members, or a member of a single member constituency.

Both MPs also argued that by-elections should be called within three months from the date of vacancy, unless the Parliamentary term is due to expire within six months from the date of vacancy.

Under the current law, the timing of any by-election is up to the prime minister.

MPs who argued for the motion noted that the changes will strengthen the practice of elective democracy in Singapore. They also pointed to residents being short-changed if they do not have a dedicated representative in Parliament.

Professor Thio said: "Given the onerous burden of MPs and the importance of their constitutional role, do we really want them to take on more work and add to their many serious responsibilities? Five MPs may be able to carry out the work of six, but there will be a strain rather than peak performance.

"I do not doubt their dedication, but we are all mortal and finite beings, and fatigue will set in at some stage. I am sure we all agree that Singapore citizens deserve the best of their representatives, with a full house and all hands on deck."

But this sentiment was swiftly shot down by MP for Jurong GRC Madam Halimah Yacob who said that since Dr Ong's passing, the remaining four MPs have attended more than 15 activities at Bukit Batok and handled five Meet-the-People Sessions.

She noted that the true test of parliamentary elections is the ability of elected members to serve the people.

She said: "To me, the response of the grassroots leaders and the residents whom I had met is a great assurance. They gave us a strong mandate at the last GE (general election) and they knew that we would honour and respect that mandate even after the demise of one MP.

"They are confident that their interest and welfare will be taken care of. None have raised the issue of a by-election."

This was refuted by Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong, who said a street poll of about 300 Jurong residents showed that 56.8 per cent wanted a by-election.

Mr Siew said: "Sir, we are here today debating the nature of democracy in Singapore. Democracy is about the people, about how they have the power, and the people have spoken. They have spoken, their voice rings loud and clear, and they want a by-election."

Hri Kumar Nair, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, also disagreed with the need for a by-election should a seat held by a minority MP be vacated.

He said: "In other words, who calls (for) the by-election? Is it the PM or the MP? With this motion, the power to call a by-election is placed in the hands of one MP, whether in the GRC or SMC (single member constituency). ... our laws (do not) extend such privileges to any single member, whether minority or otherwise."

One MP said that by doing so, it is like handing the veto power to a minority candidate which is not the intention of Parliament. - CNA/ms

SevenEleven SG

Hri Kumar Nair, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, also disagreed with the need for a by-election should a seat held by a minority MP be vacated.

He said: "In other words, who calls (for) the by-election? Is it the PM or the MP? With this motion, the power to call a by-election is placed in the hands of one MP, whether in the GRC or SMC (single member constituency). ... our laws (do not) extend such privileges to any single member, whether minority or otherwise."

I see flaws in his arugment. First, did he know the reasons why the GRC was being mooted? It was mooted to "protect" the minority representatives in the parliament. Otherwise it defeats the purpose of having a certain group of minority in the GRC. Therefore when a minority MP vacates, by-election is necessary

The elected PM represents the head of the elected government. He is being enpowered to execute the constitutions and the policies laid down. Therefore the power to call for a by-election is neither the PM nor the MP but the people and the constitution

SevenEleven SG

But this sentiment was swiftly shot down by MP for Jurong GRC Madam Halimah Yacob who said that since Dr Ong's passing, the remaining four MPs have attended more than 15 activities at Bukit Batok and handled five Meet-the-People Sessions.

She noted that the true test of parliamentary elections is the ability of elected members to serve the people.

She said: "To me, the response of the grassroots leaders and the residents whom I had met is a great assurance. They gave us a strong mandate at the last GE (general election) and they knew that we would honour and respect that mandate even after the demise of one MP.

Mdm Halimah had forgotten who "voted" them in. It was not the grassroots leaders but the voters of Jurong GRC. What I can interpret from her statement is "there are more MPs than required". Perhap the PM can look into cutting cost by removing the unnecessary.

Mdm Halimah had also forgotten that they were "voted" in by means of walkover. Therefore the word mandate does not apply. Furthermore the NMP survey had shown that the voters of Jurong GRC wants a by-election

Poh Ah Pak SG

I am from Jurong GRC.

I want a by-election now.

I want to vote against PAP.

And by the way, I think that GRC system is horseshit, designed to secure the rule of the PAP, not for any minority fucking bullshit.

Airforceone SG

If PAP is balls enough, they should show the world that they are confident of winning any by-election anywhere!

Since Dr Ong pass away making the GRC an MP short, the ruling party/Government should make the estate a single seat ward and compete for by-election.

Trust me PAP will still win back the seat one lah.

maurizio13 SG

Say hypothetically, if only one MP remained in the GRC while the rest died, there would still be no legal requirement to hold a by-election. All this remaining MP has to do is hire more assistants to aid him in his work.

One point of contention is, the composition of the MPs in the GRC with the death of Dr. Ong has changed the entire structure. It's like voting in Team A, but it's now Team B that is running the show. I have no doubt that P4P will win back the GRC, but it's whether the current P4P leadership has the fortitude to put the GRC back into contest.

Poh Ah Pak SG

I oppose the GRC system.

Fucking political bullshit.

Jurong got how many people, need so many MPs to administer?

Fuck you lah PAP.

MPs die, hire assistants.

Then why not one fucking MP hire assistants?

Minority interests, come and fuck my backside lah.

d3rF SG

I guess this is probably where technology can be the "force multiplier" for the work load required by the MPs, i.e. to use the web to reduce the amount of time required for MPS or whatever. Maybe even to have some pervasive technology that allows MPs to "meet-the-people" while on-the-move.

Regarding the by-election, what if the new member in the GRC is from opposition? Hmm....

SevenEleven SG

I oppose the GRC system.

Fucking political bullshit.

Jurong got how many people, need so many MPs to administer?

Fuck you lah PAP.

MPs die, hire assistants.

Then why not one fucking MP hire assistants?

Minority interests, come and fuck my backside lah.

Mr Poh,

I appreciate your input, however I feel that expilextives language is uncalled for, at least not in my post.

Thanks

xtreyier SG

Some may dislike MM Lee and the GRCs, but this canny man is a patriot true and true. He left a legacy to protect and ensure that we the citizens will be protected, no matter which political party wins. His legacy is GRC. Today, the ruling party is trusted. but who knows the future?

In a parliament of only a few men, eg, as some opposition had proposed, - it will only be these few that decide on issues pertaining our country. It is easy for these men to fall into the trap of being 'yes' men.

But if they were more members, it would be a difficult task to enjoy absolute power without persuading everyone to agree. More responsible heads are better than one to oversee our growing economic portfolios.

I have no issue on the present motion, for i do not belong to the constituency of Bt Batok or Jurong. I feel it is a issue that only these constituents can decide if they had been served.

But I am NOT comfortable with MP Halim's report that her grassroots leaders are saying that their constituents, the people they meet, are not keen to hold a by-election.

However, a poll conducted by NMP Siew sheds a different light.

Are her grassroot leaders doing their jobs, or misrepresenting the grassroots??! This is a critical issue she must address to stay relevant, being the elected representative of her people, or she may be misleading our PM with wrong information into making wrong decisions, and affecting his party's vote in future.

As he had said it, it is not only the person we voting for, it's the party's mandate. If the party's mandate is not relevant to the people, the chances are, people will vote against the mandate, no matter how good the MP will be.

Guess MP Halim will have to account for her trust in her grassroot leaders.

Poh Ah Pak SG

He left a legacy to protect and ensure that we the citizens will be protected, no matter which political party wins. His legacy is GRC.

???

charlize SG

If it was an opposition ward GRC, you can be sure the incumbent party will want to hold a by-election the very next day.

SevenEleven SG

???

I agree with you. don't know what he was trying to say?

xtreyier SG

I agree with you. don't know what he was trying to say?

Sigh......In 1968, there were 58 Single Member Constituencies. Which means 58 representatives of the people in Parliament. With these 58 good men, lay their power to agree or disagree on govt policies, and formulate solutions for our growing nation.

Such powers within these few men were necessary during our formative years after independence, with an uncertain future and gloomy prospects, with a largely uneducated population.

But now in 2008, with more educated citizens, with better prospects and more confidence in our future, there should be more voices heard in parliament, so that our govt may make informed and better represented decisions, from grassroots level.

GRC had curbed the powers of the past 58 men who represented us. If GRC is removed, it would revert back to the 58 men ( no certainty of minority ethnic group representation) who controls our destiny. If these 58 men are good, upright and wise, it would be no problem. But if they are not, and are all yes men, then we would have a dictatorship on our hands, be it which party rules.

GRCs are to ensure that power comes with check and balances through more voices in parliament.

Today, we have 84 elected officials, from the ruling party as well as the opposition party, not counting NCMPs and NMP from both sides.

charlize SG

4 legs good.

2 legs bad.

Poh Ah Pak SG

In 1968, there were 58 Single Member Constituencies. Which means 58 representatives of the people in Parliament. With these 58 good men, lay their power to agree or disagree on govt policies, and formulate solutions for our growing nation.

That's not true lah.

There is only one power that calls the shots.

That is Lee Kuan Yew and his clique.

58 MPs "agree" or "disagree" with Lee Kuan Yew?

President Ong himself want to get info on reserves also hard already, you tell me MPs can check Lee Kuan Yew.

You first day in Singapore politics huh?

SevenEleven SG

Such powers within these few men were necessary during our formative years after independence, with an uncertain future and gloomy prospects, with a largely uneducated population.

GRCs are to ensure that power comes with check and balances through more voices in parliament.

Today, we have 84 elected officials, from the ruling party as well as the opposition party, not counting NCMPs and NMP from both sides.

With the whip in place, everyone is singing to the chorus. GRC was mooted to ensure minorities interest. Then it became a maintenance entities "Town Council" to ensure "economy of scale" and it became a tool for upgrading and it became "an investment companies"

the lines have already been long lost and GRC went from 3 to 6 constituencies. from Bradell to Marine Parade GRC. from able man to a back door entries into politics

Poh Ah Pak SG

GRCs are to ensure that power comes with check and balances through more voices in parliament.

Don't make me laugh please.

PAP yes men check Lee Kuan Yew?

The MPs to run for elections are selected by the inner clique within the PAP.

You think they will let someone who won't kowtow into parliament?

This is being naive about the political situation in Singapore.

You want more lawmakers, we can reform the system to have two bodies for legislative powers. Upper house, lower house.

Better than the fucking GRC.

Mid9Sun SG

Noticed that most of the NMP supported a by-election...and those "elected" ones oppose.

PM said they dun wan a "forced" by elections when mp decide to switch sides or resign...like what's happening/happened in other countries which destablized govt. However, this can be good or bad depends on the circumstances.

At the time being, I think they can compromise in this way, for GRCs by-election should be called if mp is unable perform his duty with natural courses, like death, sickness, etc. But if mp resigns or switch sides, then no.

This is my tot on this issue, so if there's a flaw in my views, do correct me.

xtreyier SG

To Poh.

It is perfectly ok to insult me, but please do not insult our MPs.

These citizens are not without brains. They had done well at schools and had international business experiences and would know the difference between a piece of gem and a whole lot of crap.

They are civic conscious enough to stand for election, and help formulate solutions to help ease our suffering. While there are never any quick fix solutions, our progress as nation - from nothing of 1965 to something by 2008 is a testimonial of their efforts and those that came before them.

If they seem to take sides with the govt, it is simply because of our efficiency. Any motion or policies would have long been discussed and thrashed behind close doors in their party HQs, lunch meeting, golf games, constituency meetings, etc. Being intelligent and rational persons, they would already have agreed or had formulated sound plans even before parliament sittings.

However, the opposition and NMPS are not privy to such discussions. Thus it seems they stand alone. Their arguments, while solid, are still not enough to sway the rationale behind policy decisions.

Solution

Our opposition and NMPs must work smarter the next round. Instead of being enemies, they should become friends, meet for dinners,etc. and learn to sound out the ruling party's arguments first before parliament. By knowing how their policies are being rationalize, will one be able to see the 'backbone' and how to conteract it in parliament, and win over the backbenchers support.

It is not enough to have strong arguments. There must be the persuasive touch to win support. That means homework and assessment of each and every MP in parliament, for their weakness and their strength.

Just my 2 S'pore citizen's cent worth.