I refer to the article “New Speaker urges lawmakers to remain accessible, relevant” (Straits Times, Sep 12).
It states that “Newly elected Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday called on MPs to work with him to make Parliament the institution that “reflects the voices of the people so that we can query, answer and debate in a manner that provides hope and clarity”.
He also urged them to be accessible and relevant as they play an important role in upholding parliamentary democracy.
Giving his first speech as Speaker, Mr Tan pledged that he will be impartial and fair as well as firm. “I want to facilitate good, free-flowing debate where the desired outcome is better policies and laws,” he said, reminding MPs to debate vigorously and maintain mutual respect.
Mr Tan, in thanking his former Cabinet colleagues and fellow MPs, noted the crucial role of Parliament in a parliamentary democracy.
He said: “The legitimacy of the laws we enact rests on the scrupulous attention we – on both sides of this House – pay to the reasoned debate which accompanies the passing of each law.
“No one doubts that our goal in these sittings must be to advance the interests of all Singaporeans.”
He also said the presence of opposition colleagues in the House is “a strength and positive step towards constructive contestation of ideas”.
With such contestation set to be more complex, and the proliferation of new ways for people to get across their views, MPs also need to “engage beyond this House, to tap the collective wisdom that lies without”, said Mr Tan. “We need to present the voices and needs of our individual constituents, but we need also to stand for a united Singapore, to speak with one voice in a fissiparous world.”
He said it was “not a bad thing” that this sparked discussion, adding: “We do need fellow Singaporeans to be involved, and to gain a deeper understanding of not just the Speaker’s role, but also that of Parliament, its proceedings and how all of us contribute to making Singapore a better home for our people.”
I would like to congratulate and applaud the new Speaker of Parliament, as his debut speech is in my opinion, the best that I have ever heard from all the previous Speakers of Parliament’s maiden speeches that I have listened to.
I particularly liked his following remarks:-
“urged them (MPs) to be … relevant as they play an important role in upholding parliamentary democracy”
“make Parliament the institution that reflects the voices of the people”
“be impartial and fair”
“good, free-flowing debate where the desired outcome is better policies and laws”
“the crucial role of Parliament in a parliamentary democracy”
“our goal in these sittings must be to advance the interests of all Singaporeans”.
However, sadly, the day of his appointment has coincided with another earth-shattering matter, that may go down in our history as a day in infamy.
Very sadly, arguably, our Government may have lost what little relevance and credibility that it may have had, in the hearts and minds of Singaporeans, if we just look at what has happened in just only the last seven days:
Sep 11 – “PE: Names & reasons for rejection “secret” – hundreds may stand in next election?”
Sep 11 – “CPF: Why some offered 22, 24, 30 years, etc, monthly retirement payout?”
Sep 11 – “Healthcare: 9,000 more jobs – What % jobs now to S’poreans?”
Sep 10 – “IP insurers incurring losses: What about MediShield Life?”
Sep 10 – “Get CDA top-up, eggs, milk – depends on where you live?”
Sep 10 – “PE: Mainstream media commentarities – missing the obvious quality?”
Sep 10 – “7,618 caught cheating on transport fares: Many poor people?”
Sep 9 – “Donations down 36%, lowest welfare spending in the world?”
Sep 9 – “EP: Govt prepared to pay political price – change to “political gain”?”
Sep 8 – “CPF: Amount due to members – $348b, %?”
Sep 8 – “PE: No rallies – who or what are we afraid of?”
Sep 7 – “CPF: “No action is required if you wish to start your payouts at age 70”?”
Sep 7 – “WP so unlucky, won’t speak on EP in Parliament after all?”
Sep 6 – “Tan Chuan-Jin as Speaker is a promotion, not a demotion”
Sep 5 – “2005: The year the flood gates opened for foreign workers?”
My fellow Singaporeans – what are your thoughts and views on the above?
Leong Sze Hian
I concur. Clown Prince Lee ascending the throne was the biggest mistake ah gong tolerated, and boy are we going to pay for it dearly.
The People's Adultery Party lost its credibility a LONG fucking time ago bro.
MALAY S'POREAN: DISAPPOINTING ELECTION BECAUSE COMMUNITY IS NOT DOING WELL
A netizen has these sobering words in the run up of the disappointing walkover presidency for Halimah Yacob.
"This is the new low that we are given a race specific election and given to Malays. That's not the worst.. It's a walk over that means we don't have enough Malay candidates who fits the criteria. What does this mean?
We're severely lacking in our society.. Even as the largest minority in Singapore, there are nobody qualified to contest in this election or the past elections and end up a walk over plus the questionable status or Mdm Halimahs race is not even on the table for discussion disqualify her as well.
So what have we become? Just a representation of a society who always say "ala cukup la" or "tak ya ambik responsibility, ah biar dier take the lead" and also back stabbing and slandering your own race because they are successful? you may say all this isn't true but I have seen it.. and I have seen many of it. This is why we are lacking behind, we as Malays must change our mentality and adapt. And as a Muslims too, can't we have that mentality of the prophet to have endurance and strife to learn even when Prophet Mohamed is illierate?
I know this is the wrong place to convey my message because I'm sure there are many of us Malays here who are better than what I mentioned.. but this is something we need to look into for our children or as mentors remind the Malay children do better than what we already are.
We all know its going to be hard because in this Chinese majority society but if we support and help each other we can grow as a society that can produce doctors, entrepreneurs, billionaires, scientists or innovators and such. Then we don't need a race specific elections.. or even so we can have many qualified candidates to campaign and win an election. Don't we want that?
Say what you wanna say I don't care but we must do better than this.."
This prompted another response from a netizen on the same forum to post.
"You're lamenting on a problem from viewpoint of pessimists (which isn't wrong) but like a guy above said, don't ownself check ownself.
This GE is a clusterfuck of a manipulation. This puts the Malays on a pedestal. Some will cheer some will laugh at us.
But other than that we as the Malay race have improved. I MUST believe we have improved. We have become stronger and more dedicated more than ever in any endeavour. ( except with the diabetes thing. Please reduce.)
I concentrate on my family and know for sure that in the 3rd generation of my family we all have broken so many barriers. Most of my cousins have studied overseas and careers are in order and i am currently in Europe trying to make a life here. Aunts and uncle are successful. We are trying our best, all of us are trying. For the next generation to come we must.
I am not bragging here. I am just telling you that you will whispers of success in the Malay community and when you do you must celebrate it.
Because there are far too many stories of our failures but the echo chambers are sometimes not the voices of Malays but of others who hateful or dont know any better. It lingers.
I know we as a race can go through any barriers. Once through, be the beacon to those left behind. The strength of our example at times will be our only weapon."