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Independent Singapore
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Historian renews call to scrap NCMP scheme after PAP remarks on guaranteed opposition voices
SINGAPORE: Singapore historian and author Loke Hoe Yeong has called for the abolition of the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme in response to the People's Action Party's recent defence that opposition voices are 'already guaranteed' in Parliament without having to elect the opposition. Asserting that such a view undermines the democratic spirit of elections, Mr Loke — who co-authored a 2020 book on the NCMP scheme with former Workers' Party (WP) NCMP Yee Jenn Jong — stressed in a social media post on Monday (28 Apr) why he believes the scheme has outlived its usefulness. Mr Loke argued that the scheme has become a recurring distraction in every general election, taking time and media attention away from policy discussions. He added that the PAP's repeated invocation of the NCMP scheme also sends a problematic message to voters — that they can vote for the ruling party's policies while still expecting opposition voices in Parliament. He said that this effectively reduces the electoral process to a safety net for dissent rather than a genuine competition of ideas. 'Should elections not be about a party seeking a mandate for its policy prescriptions and thus form the government?' he asked on social media. The historian also questioned the lack of transparency and consistency in how NCMP seats are offered. He cited past instances — such as the 1984 and 2015 elections — where offers of NCMP seats were rejected, prompting ambiguity about whether further seats would be extended. Mr Loke pointed to the case of Lee Li Lian, the Workers' Party candidate who declined an NCMP seat after losing Punggol East in 2015, only to face criticism from the PAP. 'The opposition feels caught in a situation of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't,'' Mr Loke said, suggesting that the scheme can be politically weaponised against those it is meant to empower. In his post, Mr Loke argued that Singapore's electorate has matured beyond the need for token opposition voices and that the NCMP scheme no longer reflects the political realities of today's Singapore, where voters are more than capable of correcting a lopsided Parliament through the ballot box. 'The electorate no longer wants token opposition representation in Parliament,' he asserted, adding that the fear of an opposition wipeout is no longer sufficient justification for maintaining the scheme. Mr Loke also called for Singapore to move past the legacy institutions of a different political era. The NCMP scheme, he noted, was conceived in 1984 as a hedge against the growing appeal of the opposition after J.B. Jeyaretnam's breakthrough. Since then, the political landscape has evolved significantly, with 10 opposition candidates getting elected in the 2020 general election. Mr Loke asserted, 'It is time to build a truly 'democratic society based on justice and equality' as envisaged by S. Rajaratnam in our National Pledge.' Mr Loke's remarks come during the heated campaign period that is coming to a close before the nation votes on May 3. The PAP has continued to defend the NCMP scheme as a safeguard for political diversity, while opposition parties argue that it diminishes the urgency of electing real alternative voices. In previous Parliaments, NCMPs have had full voting rights, a change made in 2016 to strengthen the scheme. However, critics say that this does not address the deeper issue of NCMPs lacking the same legitimacy and mandate as fully elected MPs. With renewed attention on the issue, the NCMP scheme could again feature prominently in political debates in the days ahead.
Online Citizen
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Online Citizen
GE2025: Pritam Singh reaffirms Workers' Party's commitment to Singapore's democratic values
SINGAPORE: In the first public political broadcast of the 2025 General Election on 25 April, Workers' Party (WP) Secretary-General Pritam Singh reaffirmed the party's commitment to democratic principles and urged voters to support a 'sustainable and effective opposition' in Parliament. Referencing the National Pledge, Singh emphasised the word 'build' in the phrase 'to build a democratic society,' underscoring the ongoing effort required to uphold democratic values. He described the WP's role as integral to this process, positioning the party as a long-term pillar in Singapore's political landscape. 'Let me highlight three ways in which the Workers' Party works for Singapore and Singaporeans,' he said, outlining the party's contributions in managing town councils, serving in Parliament, and engaging with the public to plan for the future. Town Council Management: Delivering Results Singh began by highlighting the WP's track record in local governance, noting that both Aljunied-Hougang and Sengkang Town Councils received the top 'green' rating in the Ministry of National Development's 2024 Town Council Management Report. He pointed out that WP has managed Hougang for 34 years and Aljunied GRC for 14 years, with the experience extending to Sengkang GRC over the last five years. 'Voters can trust us to leverage our town council experience to serve our current and new constituencies well,' he said, thanking residents for their support and acknowledging the efforts of the party's staff on the ground. Role in Parliament: Asking the Necessary Questions Turning to the party's role in Parliament, Singh stressed the importance of opposition MPs in holding the government accountable. He said WP Members of Parliament ask 'appropriate and necessary' questions that are rooted in research and public interest. 'Workers' Party MPs can ask any question, especially the difficult questions which are necessary in the public interest,' he said, adding that the party does not automatically align with the People's Action Party (PAP) in legislative votes. He cited the WP's role in passing a constitutional amendment in March 2023 as an example of the party's significance in Parliament. According to the Hansard, the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill, which introduced a framework to better combat new psychoactive substances, was tabled on 21 March 2023. It was presented alongside the Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Bill, which proposed harsher penalties for large-scale possession of Class A drugs such as cocaine and cannabis. Hansard records showed that 67 MPs voted in favour of the amendments, with no objections or abstentions. The quorum for a constitutional amendment requires at least two-thirds of all seats — 62 votes — to be cast. Seven WP MPs — Gerald Giam, He Ting Ru, Jamus Lim, Sylvia Lim, Leon Perera, Pritam Singh, and Dennis Tan — were present and voted in favour, making their support crucial to the passing of the amendments. 'This shows that the Workers' Party is there in Parliament working for you when it counts,' Singh said, emphasising that the party supports or opposes legislation based on national interest. Engaging Singaporeans Beyond Constituency Lines Singh also spoke about the WP's consistent outreach across the island, beyond the constituencies it currently holds. He noted that WP members have visited homes and public areas in various constituencies throughout the years, not just during election periods. A Sustainable Opposition for the Future In his closing remarks, Singh stressed the importance of building a sustainable opposition for the long term, regardless of the outcome of GE2025. He acknowledged that the PAP is likely to form the next government, but warned that opposition constituencies could still be lost. 'One or even two WP GRCs can be easily lost. Nothing can be taken for granted,' he said. 'With more WP constituencies comes a higher chance that Parliament will continue to have a fully elected democratic opposition presence for the longer term. This will make our system stable and sustainable for the future.' He concluded with a rallying call: 'Vote for the Workers' Party to work for you to build a democratic society. We will continue 'Working for Singapore', no matter what the storm ahead, to achieve happiness, prosperity, and progress for our nation.' The WP was allocated the second-longest broadcast time — six minutes — for the public political broadcasts (PPBs), as it is contesting a total of 26 parliamentary seats. Eligibility for the PPBs is limited to political parties that field at least six candidates under a recognised party symbol. The PPBs were aired across six Mediacorp television channels and 13 radio stations operated by Mediacorp, SPH Media, and So Drama! Entertainment, on top of its social media channels. The WP is contesting Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC, East Coast GRC, Punggol GRC, Tampines GRC, Hougang SMC, Jalan Kayu SMC, and Tampines Changkat SMC. The next political broadcast will take place on 1 May.
