Dear friends,
The government often describes Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) as “independent voices”.
This makes their appointment seem fairly innocuous.
The reality is not so.
NMPs take up precious airtime in parliament debating national issues.
They also vote on laws that affect our housing, healthcare, jobs, and family lives.
NMPs even have the same voting powers as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs).
NCMPs like those from the Workers’ Party, and previously the PSP, who actually had to campaign hard and get elected as a best runner-up.
But the way these NMPs are chosen totally lacks accountability, and defies all democratic principles.
You are told that they are carefully selected.
But when you ask how they are chosen, the answers are not forthcoming.
Shortlisted candidates are not disclosed to the public.
The Selection Committee comprises mostly PAP members – their identities are buried deep in the HANSARD, which is not easy for even informed citizens to find.
From start to finish, us Common Singaporeans are kept in the dark.
It is not fair for us that unelected persons chosen by an opaque, PAP-dominant committee get a voice and a vote in parliament.
This undermines our democratic electoral process.
Think about it – when 2 MPs can cast the same vote on a law that impacts our lives, but only one has the People’s permission, something is not right.
Singapore now has more diverse opposition voices in parliament, in the form of fully-elected MPs, and NCMPs.
This is no longer 1997 – there is no more need for the NMP scheme.
It’s time that we Singaporeans are fully represented only by those we have chosen to represent us.
If the PAP-led government refuses to scrap the NMP scheme, the very least it can do is publish clear explanations for its candidate selection.
And, remove voting rights for MPs not chosen by the People.
The SDA respects the NMPs who have served Singapore over the years.
But this is fair for all Common Singaporeans who rely on their elected MPs to be their voice in parliament.
