SINGAPORE: Lawyer and MP for Punggol East, Michael
Palmer was elected as the 8th Speaker in Singapore's Parliament
when the new session of Parliament kicked off Monday
afternoon.
He succeeds Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, who stepped down
from politics during the last general election.
Leader of the House, Dr Ng Eng Hen congratulated Mr
Palmer for his election as Speaker of Parliament.
Dr Ng recalled that since his election to the House
in 2006, Mr Palmer has participated actively in debates of the
House, moving and supporting motions on many issues and presenting
the concerns of people.
Dr Ng said Mr Palmer brings much parliamentary and legal experience
to his new role.
He also paid tribute to the previous speaker Mr Abdullah Tarmugi
who served nine-and-a-half years.
Dr Ng said he had urged members to "speak honestly, speak sincerely
and without fear."
Mr Low Thia Khiang, MP for Aljunied GRC, has also extended his
congratulations to Mr Palmer.
He said he trusts the new speaker will allow members of opposition
to express views and concerns of people.
After Mr Palmer took his Oath of Allegiance, all MPs and the
non-constituency MPs also took their oaths, starting off with Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the cabinet ministers.
The ruling People's Action Party has 81 seats in the new Parliament
while the Workers' Party has six seats.
There are three non-constituency MPs, with two of them from the
Workers' Party and one from the Singapore People's Party.
In the evening, President Tony Tan Keng Yam will address the House,
setting out the new government's goals for the next five
years.
Channel NewsAsia will carry the president's speech "live" at
8:30pm.
It will also be streamed "live" on www.channelnewsasia.com/parliament at 8:30pm.
- CNA/cc