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    Does Singapore need NMPs?

    By Deborah Choo | Yahoo! Newsroom – Tue, Feb 7, 2012

    Since the People’s Action Party introduced the idea of a new kind of parliamentary member in 1989, there have been a total of 60 Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs).

    That excludes the nine individuals to be sworn in as NMPs next Tuesday.

    But do people see any value in the NMP scheme, which the People’s Action Party mooted as a way to provide “consensual style of government where alternative views are heard and constructive dissent accommodated”? Can people even remember some of the NMPs that have come and gone?

    Yahoo! Singapore asked readers on Facebook which three NMPs they remember the most and what they remember them for.

    Based on the 38 responses, many could recall NMP Siew Kum Hong, a corporate counsel who served from January 2007 to July 2009.

    User Alan Seah remembered Siew, one of the most vocal NMPs in parliament’s history, as “bravely being on the right side of history”. The former NMP advocated for the repeal of Section 377A which criminalizes consenting sexual acts between men, and also pushed for a hybrid parliamentary model that uses proportional representation.

    Renowned blogger Alex Au described Siew as an “outstanding” NMP in his blog. “In the 26 months that he has been in the House, he spoke or asked questions on 134 occasions. What will strike you is that Siew ranged over different fields, while some other NMPs restricted themselves to extremely narrow topics. From a taxpayer’s perspective, Siew is value for money.”

    The other popular NMP was Viswa Sadasivan. Viswa was the NMP that prompted MM Lee to speak up in a parliamentary debate in 2007. Sadasivan tabled a motion for the House to reaffirm its commitment to principles in the National Pledge. He questioned whether the government was sending out "mixed signals by emphasising racial categories". According to The Straits Times, Lee rebutted by saying that the assumption of equal treatment for all races is “false and flawed” and “completely untrue”.

    Former NMP Eunice Olsen, who is a TV host and actress, was also cited by readers. The former Miss Singapore Universe entered politics at the highlight of her fame. Facebook user Desmond Charles Perry-Wong remembered her for “bringing social work and causes to the forefront while looking so glam”.

    The NMP that some users expressed a dislike for was Thio Li-Ann, who defended the repeal of Section 377A. In a parliamentary debate in October 2007, she defined homosexuality as a “gender identity disorder” and likened anal sex to "shoving a straw up your nose to drink”.

    Unlike Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs), NMPs don’t belong to any political party but represent a particular field of expertise. When the NMP scheme was proposed, then-deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong said the opposition at that time was more focused on discrediting the government than providing constructive criticisms and that the presumably unbiased NMPs could fill in that gap.

    Calvin Cheng, former NMP of the 11th Parliament, said that the role of NMPs is especially important now that there is a bloc of opposition in parliament.

    Speaking on the upcoming entry of the nine NMPs, he said, “As long as their role is defined thus, they will add a vibrant alternative voice on alternative issues in the Parliament that will hopefully rise above the inevitable political bickering amongst the PAP and WP MPs, as evidenced in the recent debate on Ministerial Wages.”

    While he reminded Singaporeans that NMPs are not politicians and should not be seen as “a shadow opposition,” he too urged NMPs to take a stand on dividing issues like the former.

    “It is pointless sitting on the fence on such divisive issues…. In a vote, they will also have to take sides – abstaining is a cowardly option,” he added.

    Media consultant P N Balji, however, said that the “only concrete example of the effectiveness of the NMP scheme” was proved by one of the pioneer NMPs, former Attorney General Walter Woon.

    “Many of your readers have forgotten the mark left behind by Walter Woon. As NMP, he conceived of a Bill to open an avenue for parents to claim maintenance from children who neglect them. He took it to Parliament and convinced members to sign that into law.”

    So, do you think NMPs still have a place in Parliament? What do you think they can bring to the table?

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    • 60s'
      60s'  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      The answer should be a straight No! Firstly, the NMPs' are there through nominations not made by the people but purely groups - groups that they belong to or are associated with. What makes them so unique that when even the people-elected MPs (who are also handsomely rewarded) cannot even resolve the issues that the NMPs' could. Or the MPs' who were people-elected (and again handsomely paid) are not able to see issues that the NMPs' could. If such a case prevails then perhaps that particular group or person (NMP) should be considered for election into parliament instead. If not mistaken NMPs also get paid (in allowance) somehow for their 'role', if so aren't the existing system that we have incapable of dealing with problems that outside help is needed and extra fundings incurred? It is certainly great in terms of showing our democratic system, however, it is my opinion that if outside views or public views are really needed and called for, our system should have the ability to call for such views. Like some writers rightly said in this forum that perhaps Singapore is the only country that has NMPs seating in our Paliament seatings other than the elected MPs.
      • Anthony
        Anthony 3 months ago
        Say all you wan.our government not going care about our opinion. The most they will do is cry on TV and show u a biscuit, then later revert back to what they have been doing. To all those who support PAP, sux your thumb! Hahahaha
    • Justice
      Justice  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      Just a backup plan by PAP in case they are 28 oppositions
      • Jack
        Jack 3 months ago
        idea..
    • John
      John  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      No
    • Singaporean
      Singaporean  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      no, seems like they don't really voice the real concern of citizens
      • Patriot Wong
        Patriot Wong 3 months ago
        Not at all.
      • Jack
        Jack 3 months ago
        only care their own pocket$
      • Ryan Star
        Ryan Star 3 months ago
        They are in it for self interests.
    • Sponge Bob
      Sponge Bob  •  3 months ago
      These non-functional NMPs add on to the clueless lobsided PAP dialog and sum up the taxpayers money which they have already wasted on our over paid ministers for decades already. To me its just like a house vacuum cleaner, one end suck up money and the other end blow out hot air.
    • Commoner
      Commoner  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      We do not need non-elected MPs. This is an idea devised by PAP to satify demand for more diverse views in the parliament. Time has changed. It is time that Singaporean should think carefully whether our current political system of having just a dominant party is good for our country in the long run. Taiwan also used to be dominated by a single party. It has since evolved into a true "two party" democratic system. If Taiwan can do it, why can't us? Competition for mandate to govern Singapore is the only way that we, Singaporean, could assure that the Government in power will listen to us and truely look after our interests. If not, we can always vote out the party in power and give the mandate to the other political party. We need an alternative.
      • Patriot Wong
        Patriot Wong 3 months ago
        PAP wants to have ideas from the people but they do not want to give away their power. So, they come out with this idea of NMP where the NMP can only voice but cannot vote.
    • Aids
      Aids  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      Since NMP is non politically affiliation, their role is to provide feedback and suggestion, they should NOT have voting rights!!! as they don't represent the Singapore citizens, not a SINGLE vote. They can moot and table a motion but not vote. If they were to VOTE, then, NMP has to be selected by Singapore Citizen, PAP has NO RIGHT to pick member of Parliament with voting right, ONLY SINGAPORE CITIZENS has, thats the spirit of DEMOCRACY, this is AGAINST DEMOCRACY
      • Doomsday
        Doomsday 3 months ago
        In Parliament, all 9 NMPs may participate in debates and may vote on all issues except amendments to the Constitution, motions relating to public funds, votes of no confidence in the Government, and removing the President from office.
        For the 3 NCMP (Ms Lina Loh Woon Lee,Yee Jenn Jong,Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song) they too can have the same VOTING RIGHTS as NMP,
        So NCMP who obtain highest citizen votes ENTITLED ONLY the same RIGHTS as NMP hand picked by PAP ??????

        NMPs are appointed by the President for a term of two and a half years on the recommendation of a Special Select Committee chaired by the Speaker of Parliament.
        NMPs were made a permanent feature of Parliament in 2009 – before this change, Parliament had to resolve within six months of every election whether NMPs should be appointed.
        NCMP introduced in 1984, and NMP introduced in 1989, and eventually NMP outnumber NCMP in reality, to ensure that NCMP is marginalised in voting influence in favor of PAP, THIS IS BARBARIC NON DEMOCRATIC SINGAPORE
    • KO
      KO  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      From 1989 i can't see any of the NMP have done anything for us.Those people want to be a NMP only try to benefit themself in their career!
    • Tommyz
      Tommyz  •  3 months ago
      We need more opposition in parliament to weed out all the failed PAP policies
    • Yahoo User
      Yahoo User  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      No NMPs.
      No GRCs.
      No Mayors.

      .
    • Tommyz
      Tommyz  •  3 months ago
      Did we ever need a miniser Mentor and senior prime minister?
    • Deaf Mute
      Deaf Mute  •  3 months ago
      We don't need NMPs at all. They are dumb and the government is deaf.
    • future singaporeans
      future singaporeans  •  3 months ago
      Another Smeared Tactics, instead of such why not scrap GRC?
    • Tommyz
      Tommyz  •  3 months ago
      40 percent vote opposition, how come we got so few opposition members in parliament ?
    • KenluckyL
      KenluckyL  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      No need lah, just bring more foreign girls, pretty, slim and tall ones here will do. We men need them desperately to make more babies.
    • lim
      lim  •  3 months ago
      HOW MANY CLOWNS DO YOU NEED TO RUN A CIRCUS?
    • Man fr Sky
      Man fr Sky  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      How much is the stupid garment going to pay these stupid idiots nmp. Do let the Singaporean know, we got every damn right to know. Believe me is a bloody waste of tax payer $$$ if they are pay to.
    • Aisin Gioro
      Aisin Gioro  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      Please lah P A P! Please do not add unnecessary labour cost and manpower into your stupid party. This is just spending extra money for paying these 60 unless NMPs. If you think you need to spend this 60 NMPs' labour cost, why dont you spend on necessary area such as buy more trains, buses and / or residents who really need help. Dont say about these 60 NMPs names, I dont even know and remember the rest MPs' names. Can work mean can work, cannot work mean cannot work. Not necessary to add in these 60 unnecessary and unless NMPs. Wake up your ideal P A P!
    • Paul
      Paul  •  3 months ago
      we have enough MP for a tiny island hardly the size of tokyo...we should reduce the numbers instead
    • J-Le
      J-Le  •  Singapore, Central Singapore  •  3 months ago
      PAP slapping Goh Chok Tong again for his outdated idea? NMP started in the 80s cos not enough Opposition parties.
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