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Michael Palmer nominated Speaker of Parliament

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has nominated Michael Palmer to be elected as the next Speaker of Parliament when Parliament opens on 10 October.

A statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Tuesday said that PM Lee had briefed the People's Action Party (PAP) MPs on his nomination and received their full support.

The 43-year-old Punggol East SMC MP told Yahoo! Singapore that he is deeply humbled to be nominated for this important task.

"The Speaker of the House is elected at the first sitting. If I am elected, it will be my duty to be impartial and fair to all MPs of all parties in enforcing the rules of parliament with regard to the debate and conduct," he said.

"I would encourage a robust and constructive debate of issues raised, but at all times with due consideration and respect for the dignity of the House."

The Speaker of Parliament role was in the spotlight in the recent general election when PM Lee hinted that Zainul Abidin Rasheed, who was part of the PAP Aljunied GRC team, would be nominated if he was elected. However, his team, lost to the Workers' Party.

The last Speaker of Parliament was Abdullah Tarmugi who has retired from politics.