29/11/2022
found the parliamentary sitting yesterday on the 377A repeal illuminating yet sobering at the same time. Here’s why:
1. On RELIGION and politics - she’s once again asking this question which she had actually put forth in a parliamentary question in June 2020 but it never got asked because Parliament dissolved for GE2020! 😋
It was clear yesterday that more than a few parliamentarians are personally conflicted because of their deep religious beliefs and values. And some even openly shared that they have to vote with their conscience underpinned by their religious teachings, even if they have constituents on both sides. These are only MPs but it’s not far-fetched to assume that some Cabinet Ministers may also be similarly conflicted, personally.
She’s been wondering about this for a while: we have been so intentional about our racial diversity and representation through the GRC scheme etc.
Yet do we have the same religious diversity in Parliament?
Are we ensuring the same religious diversity in Parliament that reflect the population?
Does yesterday’s proceedings tell us it’s not always easy to separate one’s religious beliefs with a political decision made?
Isn’t therefore critical that we also ensure a religious diversity in Parliament that will reflect the Singaporean society as we stand today? (see graph below from Census 2020)
2. On the WHIP and our parliamentary democracy
It was not surprising that the Whip was not lifted by the Government because the repeal is a matter of public policy and for the larger good of Singapore as shared - this, she clearly appreciates as she’s for the repeal wholeheartedly yet she wonders how this sits with the MPs who talk about the issue being a matter of conscience.
(Truth be told, she also suddenly remembers how she and her fellow NMP Irene Quay asked for the Whip to be lifted for the POFMA amendments that we tabled, lol).
Yet, when the Leader of the Opposition announced that the Whip will be lifted for WP MPs for our democracy to play its course, she was both delighted and uncomfortable at the same time. Delighted because indeed we need to make sure we do not deny the representation of the people’s will along partisan lines all the time. Uncomfortable because, should this matter be one of individual beliefs of MPs?
So, there’s plenty of fodder for the public discussion on “What kind of Parliament is future-ready for Singapore?” at The Pod, NLB this evening at 6pm with Braema Mathi Shiao-yin Kuik and Walter Theseira which she will be moderating. 😜
Not sure if there’s still space (the publisher is managing this) but try to see if you can still sign up on tinyurl.com/nmpbookevents.
If you would like your The NMP Scheme: Are Unelected Voices Still Necessary in Parliament? book signed and cannot register, feel free to come by at 725pm or so before we end at 730pm. Happy to sign for you! ❤️
