Comments on: NMP Siew Kum Hong presents TOC’s poll findings to Parliament

By: peien

peien — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:35:10 +0000

We should not discount the fact that it was PM Goh Chok Tong — who is from the ruling party – that initially suggested the concept of the Nominated MP.

As then DPM he said that the NMP scheme was meant “to further strengthen our political system by offering Singaporeans more opportunity for political participation and to evolve a more consensual style of government where alternative views are heard and constructive dissent accommodated” So for once, kudos to PAP.

But it is also understandable why some PAP MPs sometimes could actually have their hands bound – not literally – when it comes to expressing views that would be against the norm (Daniel). Afterall, one needs to be daring, and sharp enough in fact, to wisely enough, point out the shortcomings of the legislation.

So this is where the NMP (and opposition NCMP too) comes in; he who has greater freedom and has less need for being accountable to a higher authority.

Though personally I wouldn’t be too quick to judge that the ability of any majority-party MP pales in comparison. Rather it might be more fair to assess the MP – ruling or opposition or nominated – as an individual, and not instead just shoot anybody who wields a “powerful” ‘lightning sword’.

Just my 2 cents…

By: urock

urock — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 06:00:46 +0000

I support Opposition, all singaporean must support opposition this is the only way to teach them a lesson.. cause i am tired of the double standard, unfair treatment. LIES, LIES, LIES

By: pworama

pworama — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:25:06 +0000

Thank you Mr Siew for daring to ask and speak out for the people. In my view
you have the perfect quality to become our next President. You will provide the missing balance of political power, and the essential guard and audit of the reserves of Singapore. I hope they will not pre-disqualify you, even before you can be nominated.
Long live Mr Siew, the people’s President.

By: Singaporean

Singaporean — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 17:36:19 +0000

My greatest respect to Mr. Siew for speaking up for the people of Singapore, even at the risk to his political career as an NMP. He has done better than even some elected opposition MP like Sylvia Lim, who is seen now as trying to align with the ruling party. Mr. Siew is the kind of MP who has the right balance of intellect as well as heart. He also puts the interests of the people above his own.
As a Singaporean, I will definitely vote for MPs like him and I am sure the majority of discerning Singaporeans will too.
When the heat is on, real leaders will emerge. Bottlickers will also emerge. As discerning Singaporeans, we will be able to differentiate and vote accordingly to our conscience when the time comes.
Thank You Mr. Siew.

By: Ark

Ark — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 10:45:51 +0000

woah, apart from the perennial gay bashing, Thio tries to play the good guy once in a while.

Mr Siew, do us a favour and stand in the next GE, I’m sure many of us would want more pple like you taking that $10000/mth rather than some of those creeps in there

By: tunkudon

tunkudon — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 05:11:15 +0000

tks mr siew for the effort. tat the way if not what the point of elected pp to the house.. hopefully another “anwar” appear to save the day

By: The SS

The SS — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:13:53 +0000

Thanks Mr. Siew. The world needs to know that what has happened here is a Disregard of the wishes of the People. The real power should be from the people but it is clearly shown here that this power has been taken away.

By: blackfeline

blackfeline — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:05:37 +0000

good effort!

By: slohand2

slohand2 — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:23:29 +0000

What can I say…. bravo to very convincing argument. I hope your colleagues sitting or dozing in parliament will have their conscience pricked. Thank you.

By: Tan Kin Lian

Tan Kin Lian — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:38:58 +0000

I watch the video of the full speech by Siew Kum Hong. He has spoken well and convincingly. His views on participative democracy is clearly expressed. Well done to Kum Hong.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 18:03:50 +0000

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/372108/1/.html

“Hri Kumar Nair, MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, also disagreed with the need for a by-election should a seat held by a minority MP be vacated.

He said: “In other words, who calls (for) the by-election? Is it the PM or the MP? With this motion, the power to call a by-election is placed in the hands of one MP, whether in the GRC or SMC (single member constituency). … our laws (do not) extend such privileges to any single member, whether minority or otherwise.

One MP said that by doing so, it is like handing the veto power to a minority candidate which is not the intention of Parliament. ”

Kumar,
Such a disgusting word could even be uttered by a MP ? you should get the fact right, it is not the MP, it is the citizen calling for by-election, the MP is bringing up the issue on behalf of the citizen who want a by-election.
you should not forget why you are there as MP. One of your role is to question on the establishment and not pretend nothing has happened.
If you don’t even dare to question the establishment and just push it to just “follow the authority” blindly then what change can you make , and why you consider yourself a MP ?

By: Daniel

Daniel — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 17:52:21 +0000

Majority of MPs are singing the same musicical tune as the ruling party and hip-hoping to music of the party and sang “Let’s play safe. Praise the PAP. Keep the status quo”.

Yet there are few MPs who dare go against the norm and listen to tune of a typical citizen and sang “We hear you and speak up for you.” For these MPs, we appreciated that and say thank you from the bottom of our heart.

By: Saint Splattergut

Saint Splattergut — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:52:41 +0000

Sir, you are so very humble. I just think that quite a few people are upset at the conclusion of this… some have gone as far as to mention (SevenEleven, in the by-election post), that no debate is needed if the constitution is being upheld, since it states very clearly that a by-election is needed in a situation such as ours. A commentor by the name of maynardjohn lists the relevant parts of the constitution in the same post.

Regardless of the outcome, I just want to let you know that I’m grateful for your help with the poll and your speaking out for the people. And I don’t think I’m alone.

Thank you sir.

By: Siew Kum Hong

Siew Kum Hong — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 15:05:11 +0000

Hi hansolo, do be fair. I sit in Parliament, and I know what all of the NMPs have or have not done. The press does not cover everything that all of the NMPs — or elected MPs, for that matter — do in Parliament, so press coverage is not an appropriate basis for evaluating what MPs or NMPs have done. Just as an example — this motion was filed by Prof Thio Li-Ann and Dr Loo Choon Yong. So there you go.

kum hong

By: hansolo

hansolo — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:56:20 +0000

Sometimes it feels like Siew is the only NMP we have.

What have the rest done?