Edit on 28 May 2009, 7:52pm - My apologies to ST for accusing them of reporting selective facts. The article in print today included one line about NCMPs and NMPs having limited powers.
According to this Straits Times report on having a more balanced political system in Singapore, our constitution will be amended to ensure that at least 18 non-PAP MPs are in parliament after the 2011 general elections. These MPs will be made up from 9 NCMPs and 9 NMPs.
While I applaud the government for embracing diversity, I believe ST has missed out an important point about these non-PAP MPs. It is, in my opinion, my duty as a good Singaporean to point out that NCMPs and NMPs are more like mere voices without real powers to vote on important matters in parliament.
Under Claus 2 of Article 39 of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore, it says:
A non-constituency Member or a nominated Member shall not vote in Parliament on any motion pertaining to —
(a) a Bill to amend the Constitution;
(b) a Supply Bill, Supplementary Supply Bill or Final Supply Bill;
(c) a Money Bill as defined in Article 68;
(d) a vote of no confidence in the Government; and
(e) removing the President from office under Article 22L.
How weird? This news report coincidentally follows my previous musing about omissions...
No comments:
Post a Comment