Dr Balaji Sadasivan’s passing this morning inevitably raises the question of whether Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will call for a by-election to fill the now-vacant seat in his own ward. Dr Balaji was an MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, in addition to his portfolio as Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
This issue was last raised after Dr Ong Chit Chung, an MP in Jurong GRC passed away in August 2008.
During the Parliamentary sitting following his death, then-Nominated MPs Thio Li-Ann and Loo Choon Yong proposed a motion calling for amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act to allow for by-elections upon the passing of an MP while still in office.
The motion was rejected 62 to five.
One of the arguments against having a by-election was that other Members of Parliament in the GRC were able to cover the constituency duties of Dr Ong. Madam Halimah Yacob noted that the other MPs in the GRC had covered the Meet-the-People’s sessions for Dr Ong.
This was the same approach taken in the case of Dr Tay Eng Soon, an elected Member for Eunos GRC who passed away in 1993 and in 1999 when Mr Choo Wee Khiang of Jalan Besar GRC resigned. Both MPs were from the PAP.
This time round Mr Lee will be hard-pressed to deploy the same explanation in Dr Balaji’s case. Due to his duties as PM, Mr Lee would already have had less time for constituency work than ordinary MPs; it is thus unlikely the Prime Minister can be tasked to make up for Dr Balaji’s constituency work.
Further, the assertion that the rest of the GRC MPs can cover for someone’s duties raises the obvious and uncomfortable question: are an MP’s duties really that important if he’s so dispensable?
More importantly, the government will have to revisit the question of electoral representation: the Ang Mo Kio team was voted in at the 2006 general election with 66.14% of the vote. Votes were cast for the whole GRC team, Dr Balaji being one of the members.
As former Nominated MP Mr Siew Kum Hong argued in the 2008 debate, voters give the mandate to the whole team in a GRC.
In his parliamentary speech, Mr Siew said, “And if the composition of the team changes for any reason, then it by definition becomes a different team. It ceases to be the team elected by the voters. In that situation, surely a fresh mandate from the voters is necessary.”
The GE consideration
Unfortunately, however untenable the PAP’s explanations are, the reality is that it is unlikely that a by-election will be called.
By law, the term of this Parliament does not expire until February 2012. However, there is a widespread expectation that the elections will be called as early as the end of this year or next year around March, just after the Budget is passed.
Given that a by-election in the PM’s ward will be a de facto referendum on the government, it is unlikely that a by-election will be called if a general election is indeed being planned in the coming months.
Regardless, Dr Balaji’s passing once again reflects that the question of when to call a by-elections and the broader issues of electoral accountability is far from settled.
Dr James Gomez, Executive-Director of Singaporeans for Democracy, told TOC he intends to publicly raise and discuss this issue at the organization’s upcoming Election Consultation Forum to be held on Saturday, 2 October at 2010.
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The questions are inevitable yes, but perhaps you could have waited a day or two? Or even a week?!
Why rush to send out this story?
Aiya… get Dr B’s child to take up the spot lo…
TOC has already provided the answer with the precedents. Moreover, everybody is expecting the GE to be called soon. The answer is as sure as the sun rises. No need to waste time in speculating!
in singapoor..the erection board is a JACKA S S…it supposed to be neutrel..it supposed to uphold ALL laws
butt it didn’t do what is suppose to be in the 1st place?
They will still give the excuse that they can cover each other… AMK-LCK FB page got any other comments?
If they can cover each other, then it proves we don’t need so many MPs for what
is considered a part time job.
One to cover one so 42 MPs should be good
enough and salaries saved of S$588,000 /mth (S$14,000 x 42) could be used to help the poor
Lee Hsien Loong does not have the mettle to do something so bold.
If I remember correctly, GCT did call for a by-election and won hands down.
A mark of a leader, who knows his style.
LHL, I doubt it.
Now since, Dr Balaji is a minority candidate, shouldn’t it mean something.
Aren’t we leaving the minority group stark naked without representation.
The reason for GRC formation, seems to be in question here?
My deepest condolences to Dr Balaji’s family.
I never knew him, never once saw him. Only thing which rings the bell is, his rehtoric on gays and aids. How he somehow connects these 2,
I wonder, instead of safe sex.
Nevertheless, RIP.
HE DOES A BY-ELECTION NOW, HE WILL LOSE HIS JOB.
By-election now? No.
The term of the current government is almost up and the next election is coming. Therefore, there’s no reason for the present government to call for a by-election at this time.
Lim Swee Say will tell you that PAP are deaf to all criticisms
Can you imagine if pm calls for by election now to test the ground and lost the election. He also lost his PM seats before the coming GE.
no difference really. the rest of the grc was always riding on his coat-tails since the last elections.
Quote “By law, the term of this Parliament does not expire until February 2012.” Errm ok I think everyone should have noticed by now something it very very VERY wrong with that date. Its 6 years after the last election!!! Isn’t the elections supposed to be held once every 5 years? (last elections were in 2006)
If 4 MPs can cover the duties of a 5-man Jurong GRC, then why do we have 5 elected MPs for this GRC ? Obviously, 4 MPs will do.
Afterall, isn’t it the exhortation of the govt for workers to be “Cheaper, Better, Faster” ? Elected MPs should take the lead and walk the talk.
Can we expect a reduction of 14 MPs, 1 each from the 14 GRCs, in the next GE ?
If 4 people are able to do the job of 5 people why then have 5 in the first place?
Unless PAP does not want to admit they are scared to have a by election…
AS far as the PAP is concerned, this is a non-issue. I will win 4D, nay even first prize Toto and Big Sweep, before they call for by-elections.
Do people like MM perform MP duties? Does he, eg, hold “meet the people” sessions? Or go around shaking hands with babies and ah peks? Anyone in Tg Pagar constituency can enlighten?
Our cabinet is already over staff. Besides LHL has so many assistants helping him, MM, SM..etc.
The previous incident is evidence in itself there is redundancy, that is why covering duty is not an issue. They are overpaid and underwork.
i too believe there’s fat that could be trimmed. hee…
^.^
LHL now crying on LKY’s shoulder… help me father!
There is a universal word called : KARMA !
Anyway, all of them from pappies dies also wont make me feel sad or shed a tear at all.
The only person that i shed is Mr Ong Teng Cheong. The only rose among all the rest of 82 thorns in the current cabinet now, including this Bala who just died also.
I agree with georgia tong:
yes, the cabinet is obviously over staffed. Some constituencies have up to 6 to 7 member parties. Not only its a waste of tax payers money, it is superficial. Its like having 6 workers to replace a light bulb: 1 carry the laddle, 1 hold the bulb, 2 hold the laddle from falling, 1 change the bulb,
and 1 just watching the other 5.
no name,
The 5 years is more of a layman’s guideline. The more exact version for the 5 years is as below.
Quote from website: The “life” of each Parliament is 5 years from the date of its first sitting after a General Election.
Source: http://www.parliament.gov.sg/
I do seem to recall that the first sitting happened only after a period of time after the election. Perhaps this is yet another trick they use to lengthen their term… by postponing the first meeting as long as possible.
@noname:
No, it’s February 2012:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Next_Singaporean_general_election
“One of the arguments against having a by-election was that other Members of Parliament in the GRC were able to cover the constituency duties of Dr Ong.”
This practice is unconstitutional. Even in the GRC, there remains a concept of the constituency. According to Article 47 of the Constitution, it is clear that
47. A person shall not be at the same time a Member of Parliament for more than one constituency.
Therefore, a by-election must be held.
if opposition dies, then surely by election 82-1. Singapore is very democractic. ha ha ha
This is not about a by-election alone, people.
It is about LEADERSHIP.
A PM in his ward or GRC, will & should be able to call for an election, anytime.
It will show his strenght and leadership, not just to us Singaporeans, but to his PAP team as well.
So who is LHL, this Singapore’s PM.
This is the baptism of fire.
A true challenge thrown to all his political nemesis.
If he calls & stands for a by-election and if he wins…..then the whole of Singapore will salute him, his style must be accepted and his entire PAP team will & must respect him.
There is alot at stake here for LHL, in this untimely passing. I am keenly watching and I am sure most people out there are too.
A question of leadership….
Is there following & acceptance for his policies….
All these can be tested…..but will it be….if called…. be the young boys of WP or the opposition giants,
I know LKY will be itching and asking LHL to go for a fight and maybe one last time he(LKY) can flex his muscle for a win.
It will still be nice to watch.
Politics at its best.
Ah Loong to cover Balaji? That’s a good one! Remember Ah Loong (altho’ alive) needs others to cover him. Hence, a whole gang from his papa down has been assigned to do just that.
Since the idea is to cover each over in the event of death, which must occur, then there is fat to trim. On the basis of one-to-one coverage we can easily remove 42 of the existing 84 mps without anything happening, good or bad. That’ll save us Sinkapooreans multi $millions especially in the case of ministers. Let’s do it – through the ballot box!
Ah Cow28 September 2010
Ah Loong to cover Balaji? That’s a good one
…………..
ah loong cannot ever covered for wesuemen the elite’s daughter who father is his techgheephuat gay taggedteam kaki..
Fat hope for those who call for a by-election. The GRC was established for a purpose, one among many others, should a member dies, the others will cover his duties, so no by-election necessary, so argues the PAP.
However, if a PAP GRC loses in an election, the entire cohort is eliminated. GRC is a double edged sword for the PAP. So far no opposition Parties
dare to challenge this PM’s GRC, at least not when MM Lee is still healthy physically and mentally. Smarter for the opposition to try other wards to conserve their chips.
Don’t forget that AMK GRC helmed by the PM fared below the PAP average of votes against an unknown and young ‘suicide’ squad of the Worker’s Party in the last GE.
Plus this PM needs 1 MM and 2 SM to help him do his job.
Sigh.
/This issue was last raised after Dr Ong Chit Chung, an MP in Jurong GRC passed away in August 2008./
august 2008 to now – almost abt 2 years.
imagine the work of one mp gone can be covered by the others for almost 40% (2/5 yrs) of the time. if u don’t call redundancy, what is ????
almost 2 yrs, 28 September 2010
quote:
“imagine the work of one mp gone can be covered by the others for almost 40% (2/5 yrs) of the time. if u don’t call redundancy, what is ????”
hmmm, luxury?…
normally one doesn’t equate civil service with luxury, but that’s Uniquely S’pore?
We could only sigh and wish the “UNseen’s” power will aid us in our present predicament.Partly to our own making in believing them for so long and partly to their ungentlemently acts of orchestrating the power control,We’re in such a dire state.We’ve this precious chance of cutting this cancerous growth in our midst by coming together to vote for change and a better future.
I really think PM Lee should stand up & be counted this time. Stop hiding behind MM & fight his own battle. He should call for a by-election & see how well he fared among the voters. That’s the best way to shut us up & do his daddy proud. It has been quite a while since he’s appointed PM & yet, there’s really nothing much for him to shout about. From the recession to MAS’s escape, there hardly been any good news under his watch.
Well, he can boast of the hugh GDP growth, but then again, how many of us really get to taste it? Things are getting very expensive & there are so many foreigners running around the island, kinda make me feel that I am in India or China; the PAP should spare a thought for our Malay & Indian brudders…they serve NS too, you know!!
I always think that PM Lee’s hands are tied cos of his daddy & I really dont wanna see him fail, cos if he does, we are screwed too. I just hope he’s strong enough to fight his own battle & even if he loses, he could take that as a lesson learned. Just look at Chee, no doubt many ppl called him mad or crazy, but at least I see the fight & fire in him. And he seems real enough to contribute to the well being of us Underdogs….which is more than I can say about our PM.
Someone told me the machinery was out to gain as much political milage from the unfortunate demise of good and honest man who helped people quietly without ever claiming credit and hogging the limelight. I was sceptical and was bombarded with facts starting from the ISA detentions, the gerrymandering, the everchanging boundaries, the threats and the lawsuits. I refused to believe that people could stoop so low but was reminded of the drastic need to soften their image and how tears (whether real or fake I cannot say) have always been used to move people (remember 1965) So I decided to catch our propoganda media. Over every chanel I saw politicans in tears. In one short news clip I saw so many old folks ( some visually handicapped) paying tribute at the CC. Only later did I found out this were all planned trips using the old from homes. Its was all engineered. I honestly beleive Mr Balaji has done enough to sincerely affect the lives of many but we certainly do need to powers to be to put on a show. Its a sad day in all ways.
The value of raising the issue of by-elections in AMK GRC…
Singaporeans only now know that Parliament amended the Parliamentary Elections Act in July 2010 to ensure no by-election will take place should a MP of a GRC vacate his place.
The provisions in general terms for a GRC by-election is when all seats in a GRC are vacant.
/mice is nice 28 September 2010
normally one doesn’t equate civil service with luxury,/
don’t count on that. not unless they start to equate their worth with the private sector.
Elections are to be held every five years. The date set is the prerogative of the PM.The last election was in 2006, but the 5 yrs is counted from the first sitting of Parliarment after the GE in May 2006.
Come to think of it, the past few years had not been kind to Lee Jnr’s amk grc, with one bad episode after another….
In his current amk grc, 2 MPs are already sitting-ducks (who could possibly forget Wee Siew Kim arrogant “some people cannot take the brutal truth ‘apology’ ” for his equally arrogant daughter remarks in the later’s blog a few years back & Lee Bee Wah infamous episode with the table tennis association debacle 2 years ago and again only last year for the “coach-of-the-year nomination” incident.) The other MP in amk grc, Inderjit Singh is practically ‘”persona non-exista*”. The only MP in amk grc that stands up, and is well regarded as a principled person of conviction and a humble man with the common-folk interest close at heart is Balaji. He’s probably the main bright spark in the grc that can win popular support and trust of the common working folks. But with his unfortunate passing away, things have just gotten a shade darker for Jnr.
Hmmm….the coming GE should be interesting, not the least bec of amk grc.
* ps – pardon my freshly minted “persona non-exista”. (but seriously, in all fairness, I’m probably not in the best position to gauge Inderjit Singh accurately as I’m not a resident in amk grc who is likely to have more potential contact with the man and thus know him better. Impression gathered is from afar, in the sense that the guy somehow doesn’t leave any lasting or note-worthy impression insofar as parliament debates/deliberation are concerned. But perhaps from the “insider” perspective of the residents in amk grc who does gets to meet him regularly, he could very well be a terrific chap working hard quietly in the background with the interest of the common folks close at heart. As such, I stand corrected if my impression is off-the-mark.)
Quote-of-the-day: “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”
(Edmund Burke, author of Reflections on the Revolution in France)
Steve Wu28 September 2010
“One of the arguments against having a by-election was that other Members of Parliament in the GRC were able to cover the constituency duties of Dr Ong.”
This practice is unconstitutional. Even in the GRC, there remains a concept of the constituency. According to Article 47 of the Constitution, it is clear that
47. A person shall not be at the same time a Member of Parliament for more than one constituency.
Therefore, a by-election must be held.
————————————-
Look properly. They are using members of the same GRC to cover for each other. Nothing to do with being MP for more than one constituency.
@TH
I will put it this way. When the electorate vote a particular person to be the MP for a particular constituency, the Constitution confers certain authority and responsibility to that MP to represent the constituents.
We may safely conclude that no formal assignment has been nor could be made to relieve Dr Ong and Dr Balaji since it violates Art 47 of the Constitution.
On the flip side, the informal coverage by other MPs or indeed other grass root personnel leaves the constituents unconstitutionally represented. They didn’t vote for informal representation to begin with.
The only constitutional (and logically correct) position is to hold the by-election.