There are also other checks on the Speaker’s conduct, he said. He added that the fairness of parliament is not just dependent on the individual who is the Speaker but also on parliament’s standing orders and the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act, which the Speaker is also bound by. Mr Nair, presenting the amended motion, argued that a Speaker does not automatically lack independence in the performance of his duties because he “happens to be from a political party”. “PSP believes that it is problematic for the Speaker to uphold his impartiality and independence while simultaneously being at the power centre of the ruling party and being privy to the ruling party's political strategy alongside members of the government,” said Mr Leong. He also noted that in recent years, the Speakers have been members of the PAP CEC and that makes it difficult for the public to be fully convinced that a core member of the ruling party can be an “impartial presiding officer” in parliament. However, from 1970, every Speaker has been from PAP. He pointed out that prior to 1970, the Singapore parliament had elected speakers who were judges and non-partisan, with the exception of former PAP minister EW Barker. “Historically, even without recent events, the actions of the PAP government over the years could arguably be perceived by the public to have eroded the independence and impartiality of the Speaker’s office over the years,” said Mr Leong. This was the version of the motion that was passed by parliament, with dissensions from PSP NCMPs Mr Leong and Ms Hazel Poa recorded. There was also an amendment to add: “To uphold the Standing Orders of Parliament and the obligations under the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962." The motion was amended by MP Vikram Nair (PAP-Sembawang) to replace the words “to be independent and impartial” with “to discharge his duties independently and impartially”. However, PAP MPs did not agree, saying that the Speaker can be impartial and independent even if he or she is from the ruling party. Ideally, the Speaker should not be from any political party, he said, citing precedents from the 1960s. He proposed that the Speaker should not come from the People’s Action Party’s core leadership, such as a member of the Central Executive Committee (CEC). In presenting the motion, Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai (PSP) said that the conduct of the former Speaker “has brought parliament into disrepute and is a matter that deserves a full debate in this House”. The motion originally mooted by PSP stated: “That this House reaffirms its commitment to the need for the Speaker of Parliament to be independent and impartial and for parliament to be a fair arena for all.” The new Speaker, Mr Seah Kian Peng (PAP-Marine Parade), presided over the debate. Mr Tan later apologised to Assoc Prof Lim for the remarks.īut before the motion could be debated at this parliament sitting, Mr Tan stepped down, along with former MP Cheng Li Hui, due to their affair. The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) had filed the motion after former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin was caught on a hot mic muttering “f****** populist", following a speech by opposition MP Jamus Lim (WP-Sengkang). SINGAPORE: Members of Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 2) voted in favour of an amended motion that reaffirmed the House’s commitment for the Speaker of Parliament to discharge his duties impartially and independently.
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