Former NMPs raise concerns over how members’ resignations ahead of GE2025 could impact scheme

The sudden resignations of two Nominated MPs before the end of their terms have raised concerns from some former NMPs over how it could colour perceptions of the non-partisan intent of the scheme.

Lawyer Raj Joshua Thomas and psychiatrist Syed Harun Alhabsyi submitted their resignations to the Speaker of Parliament around noon on Feb 14, fuelling speculation that they will stand in the upcoming general election expected mid-year.

This is the first time since the NMP scheme was mooted in 1990 that any NMP has resigned before the end of the 2½-year term.

In their resignation letters, both men – who were appointed in July 2023 – hinted that they would soon be involved in party politics, observers said.

Mr Thomas last spoke in Parliament on Jan 8 in the debate on the Workplace Fairness Bill, while Dr Syed Harun had spoken on Feb 5 during the motion on supporting Singaporeans in starting and raising families.

Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan, who was an NMP from 2012 to 2014, said every citizen, including former NMPs, has the right to contest in a parliamentary election.

Associate Professor Tan said: “The issue in this case is the timing and circumstances of their vacating their NMP seats.”

It raises questions about whether it was appropriate for any political courtship to have taken place when both men were still NMPs, he said.

Former NMP Anthea Ong, an entrepreneur and social advocate, said that even if the Constitution allows for it, NMPs running in elections may have implications on the non-partisan intent of the scheme, especially if they quit before the end of their term to do so.

Trust in such public institutions is paramount amid the uncertain environment and increasing political contestation and social polarisation, she added.

She noted that the scheme already has more than its fair share of critiques and criticism.

Ms Ong, who was an NMP from 2018 to 2020 and published a book on the scheme in 2022, said she believed the NMP scheme was not established to be a “talent pipeline” for political parties.

Labour economist Walter Theseira, who was an NMP from 2018 to 2020, said it would be problematic if the selection process produces NMPs who subsequently resign and stand for election as MPs for political parties immediately after their tenure.

He noted that the Government had in the past pointed to parliamentary support from NMPs as evidence that reasonable, non-partisan observers agreed with the Government’s position.

Political scientist Walid Jumblatt Abdullah said the institution is an important facet of Singapore’s political system as it allows for non-partisan, independent voices to contribute and “often, their voices hold weight since they do not have an electoral agenda”.

The associate professor at Nanyang Technological University said in his Facebook post that he knew both Mr Thomas and Dr Syed Harun personally. He added that he thought they would make good MPs, but did not think they should contest in the general election.

But in another Facebook post, former PAP MP Irene Ng noted that it is the right of every citizen, no matter their profession or the role they play, to stand for election.

The NMP scheme was introduced “in recognition that electoral politics is not everyone’s cup of tea”, not to prevent people from joining politics, she said.

She added: “Indeed, it is in the national interest to try to make sure that the best and brightest among us will want to join politics, wherever they may be found.”

Ms Ng said she has no inside knowledge of whether the two will actually join a political party, writing: “But I will say this: Good on them if they decide to get off the NMP podium and take the plunge into the more brutal world of electoral politics.”

Non-partisan role shaped contributions

Associate Professor Theseira said he believes the NMP scheme was created to provide alternative, non-partisan views in Parliament.

This was especially important as at the time, there were close to no MPs who were not from the ruling People’s Action Party.

The Constitution states that the NMP selection committee “shall have regard to the need for nominated members to reflect as wide a range of independent and non-partisan views as possible”.

Former NMPs stressed their commitment to providing such views.

Analyst and former journalist Nicholas Fang said that when he was in the role from 2012 to 2014, he took very seriously the stipulation that NMPs were expected to contribute independent and non-partisan views in Parliament.

Prof Tan said that when he was in the House, he “endeavoured to participate in Parliament sittings without fear or favour”.

“It requires speaking up even if it means not being popular on both sides of the political aisle,” he said.

Prof Theseira highlighted that more than one NMP in the past, including himself, had refused to support parliamentary proceedings that they judged to be partisan or disagreed with.

While the Government does make an effort to seek support from NMPs on controversial matters, it is left to each NMP to make his or her choice, he said.

Mr Siew Kum Hong, who was NMP from 2007 to 2009, said it is possible for the two NMPs to have started their terms without any intent to participate in partisan politics, and then changed their minds.

“But the proper way to then join a party would have been to complete their terms first; resigning midway disrespects the institution,” said the former lawyer and activist.

Former NMP Calvin Cheng acknowledged concerns that NMPs running for political office would harm the non-partisan nature of being NMPs, but pointed out that “nobody is truly neutral or non-partisan”, and “we all have our own political biases”.

Mr Cheng, who was NMP from 2009 to 2011 and also a former member of Young PAP, said being non-partisan in Parliament means putting aside one’s own political biases and voting independently.

NMPs are also not under any political party Whip, he added.

“If an NMP then chooses to run for political office after, it doesn’t mean that when he was an NMP, he did not discharge his duties faithfully,” said the businessman.

But sitting NMPs who have made a commitment to the job should finish it, he said.

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

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