While Singapore’s Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) have contributed to parliamentary debates on a range of topics, questions continue to be asked about whether the NMP scheme can be relevant in a climate of more competitive politics. Unlike elected MPs, NMPs are shortlisted by a Special Select Committee of Parliament from a list of candidates put forth by the public. They normally serve a two-and-half year term unless Parliament is dissolved ahead of a general election. While NMPs are expected to put forth independent and non-partisan views, a number do represent sectoral interests, having been nominated by functional groups for the Select Committee’s consideration.
Over lunch with IPS Corporate Associates, four members of the past batch of NMPs – Ms Faizah Jamal, Ms Janice Koh, Mr Eugene Tan and Mr Laurence Lien – will reflect on their experience in the House and give their views about how the NMP scheme could evolve. They are among the NMPs who entered Parliament after the “watershed” 2011 General Election and have taken part in debates on sometimes controversial and contentious policy issues, such as the Population White Paper and the Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill to maintain peace in Little India after last December’s riot.
This closed-door session will be chaired by Dr Gillian Koh, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies.
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