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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.
Straits Times
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Forum: Don't call them ‘best losers'
The Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme was introduced in 1984 to ensure a minimum number of opposition members in Parliament. NCMPs are chosen from the 'best losers' among the opposition candidates. While the term may be accurate in a numerical sense, I feel the label 'loser' is wrong as these candidates have had the courage and determination to step up to engage in political activities. They sacrifice their private life, open themselves to public scrutiny and commit themselves to serve the nation. We should give due respect to such individuals as it takes a lot of guts to stand up and speak up. They are anything but losers. Donny Ho Boon Tiong More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
28-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Plans for a ‘revitalised' Pasir Ris-Changi GRC can only be put into action with residents' support, says PAP's Indranee
SINGAPORE: Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, promised voters in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC that she will revitalise the town and improve transport connections, adding that this can only happen with support from voters. At a rally by the People's Action Party (PAP) on Monday (Apr 28) held at Tampines Meridian Junior College, she also said that her team would continue plans started under Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was the incumbent MP for the GRC for 28 years. "To put these into action, we need your support. We need your vote. And at the broader national level, we need a good leadership team." Among the PAP's five-year plans for the constituency are ways to address 'last mile gaps' such as linkways and barrier-free access, she said. Also in the works are better connectivity options – the constituency will be getting four new MRT stations and will be linked to Changi Airport, Punggol and Jurong by rail. In addition, the Loyang viaduct, which is under construction, will connect Loyang and Changi to Tampines. Although PAP has plans to address concerns such as cost of living and jobs at a national level, her team would also explore plans at a local level, Ms Indranee said. Other speakers at the rally included her PAP teammates contesting the GRC. Ms Indranee leads the team comprising Mr Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, one-term MP Sharael Taha and new face Valerie Lee. Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, which has 100,639 voters, was formed by merging some districts under the former Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC with adjacent areas in East Coast GRC, after electoral boundaries were redrawn. PAP faces a straight fight against a team from the Singapore Democratic Alliance comprising the opposition party's chairman Desmond Lim, secretary-general Abu Mohamed, Mr Harminder Pal Singh and newcomer Chia Yun Kai. At an earlier speech on Monday at PAP's lunchtime rally in Raffles Place, Ms Indanee spoke out against the idea that voting for opposition parties is necessary to bring alternative voices into parliament. She said that such voices are already 'guaranteed', referring to the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme, where the 'best losers' from among the opposition candidates are declared elected as NCMPs if fewer than 12 opposition members are voted into parliament. TAKING OVER FROM TEO CHEE HEAN Ms Indranee had moved from Tanjong Pagar GRC to anchor the PAP team in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC after Mr Teo, the former anchor minister in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, announced his retirement from politics after 33 years. Mr Teo had been an MP in Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC since 1997. He spoke at the rally on Monday evening alongside Dr Maliki Osman, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, whose former ward in East Coast GRC has been folded into Pasir Ris-Changi GRC under the redrawn electoral boundaries. Both Mr Teo and Dr Maliki, who spoke at the rally as well, are not standing for the upcoming polls, which will take place on Saturday. On replacing Mr Teo as anchor minister, Ms Indranee said: 'Some have asked me, 'Can you fill his shoes? Have you seen how tall and how big SM Teo is? The answer is, 'No, no, I can't'.' However, she vouched to serve residents with the same dedication and passion as he did. She said that she had a personal history with Mr Teo, because he was the one who started her journey into politics. He was a 'very generous, very calm' host for her first tea session with the ruling party despite her being late for the appointment, she recalled. 'And I really didn't think on that fateful day when I had tea with him, that one day I would be taking over as the lead anchor for his constituency.' Since beginning her campaign in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, Ms Indranee said that she had found residents to be warm and friendly. 'The most often-heard phrase I have encountered in the last few days campaigning here, almost every single resident here has said to me, without fail, 'Welcome to Pasir Ris'.' WHAT OTHER PASIR RIS-CHANGI GRC CANDIDATES SAY The other Pasir Ris-Changi GRC candidates at the rally spoke about their wishes and ideas that they hope to carry out if elected in the May 3 polls. Mr Tan, also deputy secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), said that more could be done to ensure job security. He highlighted community initiatives that had helped constituents upskill and place them in new jobs, but said that he was 'not going to stop here'. He promised voters that he would push to strengthen the national SkillsFuture programme, to improve support systems and create better pathways to 'good jobs'. 'A good and stable job is not just important for the paycheck … It's about dignity, it's about security and it is probably the best defence for the rising cost of living and inflation and crisis,' he said. 'I will fight every day in parliament, in NTUC and in the Pasir Ris-Changi community, to make sure that we strengthen job security for all our people.' As for newcomer Valerie Lee, she said that she wanted to advocate for the sandwiched class. 'Caught in the middle caring for both ageing parents and young children, you hold everything together, often invisibly … trying to be the best child, the best employee and the best parent, all at the same time. But the truth is, this is not an easy sandwich to bite into.' Although Singapore has support systems such as the baby bonus, tax relief for working mothers and housing grants, Ms Lee believes that there is room to do more. 'We can do better and we must go further, because the situation is evolving. We need more flexibility at work and not just policies but culture, where it's okay to say, 'I need to take my child to the doctor and not feel guilty about it'," she added. 'I truly believe when we support the sandwiched generation, we're not just helping the middle, we are uplifting the entire family. We'll help children to thrive, we'll help seniors age with dignity and we'll help working adults breathe easier, live better and give more.' 'WE FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE' Mr Sharael Taha, who was elected to represent the Pasir Ris East division in 2020, also sought voters' support to continue 'the progress that we've had'. He gave examples of community initiatives that had benefited residents in his ward, particularly those who are caregivers or from lower-income families. 'These are the real stories behind the policies that we fight for, because we fight for the people, not for the headlines. On cost-of-living pressures, while we have our national measures, here in Pasir Ris, we made a difference,' he added. Highlighting that he had pushed for some causes in parliament, including better protections for gig workers, flexible work arrangements and supporting humanitarian efforts in Gaza, he said that it had been an 'incredible honour' to have been an MP for Pasir-Ris GRC in the past five years.
Independent Singapore
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
GE2025: PSP A-team reunite to take on West Coast-Jurong West GRC
PSP's media doorstop at Clementi Market and Food Centre. (Photo credit: Progress Singapore Party) Featured News Singapore Politics SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) chair Tan Cheng Bock, secretary-general Leong Mun Wai, and vice-chair Hazel Poa have reunited to contest West Coast-Jurong West Group Representation Constitueny (GRC), alongside two new faces. The PSP team was successfully nominated on Wednesday (23 Apr) to contest the ward, which it nearly won in the 2020 general election, with 48.32% of the votes. The high vote share led to Ms Poa and Mr Leong joining Parliament under the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme. The PSP team is set to face off against three incumbents and two new People's Action Party (PAP) candidates. The anchor minister for the ruling party team is Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, who will be accompanied by ex-West Coast MP Ang Wei Neng and former Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Shawn Huang. This contest will likely be Dr Tan Cheng Bock's last electoral race. The 85-year-old told the press earlier this week that if he is elected, he will serve as a mentor, guiding his young team to efficiently manage their constituency. Speaking with CNA, Dr Tan said his team has planned for who will be in charge of specific matters, such as the town council, if they are elected. He also reiterated his desire to train and promote the younger generation of leaders within his party as best as possible. When asked what had kept him going all this while, he told CNA, 'I think it's the love for the country.' He added that looking back on his political career, he sees that it has been a fruitful one. He said, 'For me, this is a rewarding journey. Every election brings me new things, new ways of managing affairs and engaging with the public, and meeting new faces. It is truly a very valuable experience.'
Independent Singapore
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
GE2025 likely to be Tan Cheng Bock's last election run, after almost 45 years of political service
SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party (PSP) founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock has confirmed that the coming polls will likely be the last time he contests an election. If elected, the veteran politician aims to serve as a mentor, guiding his young team to efficiently manage their constituency. Speaking with CNA, the 85-year-old said that if his team is elected, they have planned for who will be in charge of specific matters, such as the town council. He also reiterated his desire to train and promote the younger generation of leaders within his party as best as possible. Although he was a former People's Action Party (PAP) backbencher MP from 1980 to 2006, Dr Tan Cheng Bock had cultivated a strong reputation as an independent within the ruling party and is one of the rare few who have voted against his party in Parliament even though the whip had not been lifted. Dr Tan contested the 2011 presidential election and lost to establishment pick Tony Tan by a narrow 0.35% margin. Then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong was not happy with Dr Tan's candidacy in that election and saw him as a threat, according to ex-Minister George Yeo. Dr Tan Cheng Bock indicated interest in contesting the succeeding presidential election, but the constitution was amended in 2016, reserving the 2017 presidential election for only Malay-Muslim candidates. Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob left the PAP and Parliament to contest the 2016 election. She became President unopposed when two prospective candidates were disqualified from the race due to the amended qualification criteria. Dr Tan, meanwhile, founded the PSP ahead of the 2020 general election. He led an A-team to contest West Coast GRC and narrowly lost to the incumbent PAP team with 48.31% of the vote. The high vote share, however, led to two PSP members joining Parliament under the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme. This year marks nearly 45 years since Dr Tan began his career in politics. When asked what had kept him going all this while, he told CNA, 'I think it's the love for the country.' He added that looking back on his political career, he sees that it has been a fruitful one. He said, 'For me, this is a rewarding journey. Every election brings me new things, new ways of managing affairs and engaging with the public, and meeting new faces. It is truly a very valuable experience.' Dr Tan is expected to lead another PSP team to contest the new Jurong West-West Coast GRC in the election around the corner, in what is expected to be one of the most fiery contests of the season.
