PM Lee expects more
robust debates in the next Parliament
by Saifulbahri Ismail; 04:46 AM Sep 11, 2011
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (picture) said he
expects to see more robust debates in the next Parliament, which
will convene on Oct 10.
This is the first time
the House will see the most number of Opposition Members of
Parliament (MPs) - six from the Workers' Party, and another three
who are Non-Constituency MPs - and Mr Lee also expects more
different views to be expressed and all perspectives to be
covered.
Speaking to reporters on a wide range of issues on the sidelines of
a community event yesterday, Mr Lee said how debates in Parliament
will develop will depend on the dynamics of the debates and
contributions of the members.
"It depends whether they take a serious approach to discuss the
issues or whether they take a tactical approach and just use it to
score political points. I hope that we will be able to move forward
in a constructive direction," Mr Lee said.
The Prime Minister also laid down what he expects from the People's
Action Party (PAP) MPs. They should believe in what they say and
master the subject in their speeches, Mr Lee said. He also urged
PAP MPs to speak up for their constituents and help to form and
shape views to develop a consensus and move forward together.
To a question on whether the Whip would be lifted more often, Mr
Lee said that it depends on the issues. He said the Whip will be
lifted if it is an issue of conscience, but party discipline will
need to be followed on policy matters.
Mr Lee also elaborated on the recent editorial in the PAP's
magazine Petir, where he called on the party to reflect on the
General Election.
He said that it is a new situation where the population is changing
and attitudes are shifting. However, the party still needs to
connect, represent and lead the people, and he hopes that the new
generation will work with the Government.
"As they work with us, they change and we change. I think that's
something which the party has to work at very hard, reaching out to
the new generation, new formats, new media, new activities. But
also keeping our traditional base - the older ones, Singaporeans
who have contributed a lot to Singapore and I think who deserve to
have their voices heard too."
The Presidential Election
On the recent Presidential Election, Mr Lee said it was important
to have public debates on the future of the institution.
"It's good that there's a public debate on the experience on the
Presidential Election, different perspective raised and concerns
too, particularly amongst the minority communities that if the
process carries on like this, it will become difficult to elect a
minority President because that's the nature of election politics,"
he said. "We are following the debate carefully, I think it's still
very early yet and we have not come to any conclusion."
The PA-Workers' Party dispute
When asked about the recent storm between the People's Association
(PA) and Aljunied Group Representation Constituency over the lease
of common sites in the Opposition wards, Mr Lee stressed that the
PA is not a political organisation.
"The PA serves all the residents in the constituency, and it's
non-political. In fact, it doesn't allow political activities on
its premises when it runs its own activities. But guidance must be
from somebody who's working on behalf of the Government. It's like
having the Ministry of Education, the civil servants are impartial
and neutral but the Minister is a Government Minister," Mr Lee
said.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110911-0000218/PM-Lee-expects-more-robust-debates-in-the-next-Parliament