Constitution provides for NMPs to step down to stand in elections: Shanmugam

Under Singapore’s Constitution, a Nominated MP can step down to join a political party and run for election, Minister for Law K. Shanmugam said on March 31.

“But we must make sure, of course, that while they are NMPs, they are independent, and Parliament has got to choose men and women of character and who carry themselves properly,” he stressed.

He added: “The fact that they can contribute subsequently, or prior, is something that was always understood and provided (for).”

Mr Shanmugam was speaking outside Ahmad Ibrahim Mosque in Sembawang Road after a series of community visits to mosques and prayer sites in Yishun on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

He is also Minister for Home Affairs and the anchor minister for Nee Soon GRC.

His comments come after NMPs Raj Joshua Thomas and Syed Harun Alhabsyi resigned about a year before their terms ended. They have emerged as PAP new faces recently.

The resignations sparked comments that a scheme meant to ensure independent voices free from party politics in Parliament would be undermined.

Said Mr Shanmugam: “If you look at the debates and the speeches around that time, including the background papers that were put forward, Mr Lee Kuan Yew talked about, potentially, NMPs becoming ministers.

“And certainly the constitutional documents clearly envisaged that NMPs could join political parties and take part in elections, and I think the final word really is the Constitution itself – the way it’s been drafted, that was the intention.”

He noted that he is one of only two people still in Parliament, alongside Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who were present during the debate on the NMP scheme, which entered legislation in 1990.

“Well, I thought that it was a good idea to bring in more voices into Parliament, and I strongly supported it.”

He added: “I can understand that (the parliamentary debate) was more than 30 years ago, and not a lot of people would know the background or the provisions of the Constitution, but the final word, I think, is that the Constitution expressly provides for this framework.”

Asked if fellow Nee Soon GRC MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim would be fielded elsewhere, Mr Shanmugam said it was difficult for him to give a complete and final answer to that, as such decisions are made by the PAP’s central executive committee.

Nonetheless, Mr Shanmugam said Associate Professor Faishal is “unlikely to be here”.

Prof Faishal, who is Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development, had joined Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng on a walkabout at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre on March 30.

This sparked speculation that he could be fielded in the new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

Mr Shanmugam noted: “As people can see, he is spending a lot of time in Marine Parade, and I think that is one indication of what might happen.”

Speaking to reporters after the community visits, Dr Syed Harun, who has been seen walking the ground, said he has been able to learn from Mr Shanmugam, Prof Faishal, as well as other MPs, in recent weeks about community issues.

“Really, it’s (me) putting myself forward to be able to serve in whatever capacity that is possible in the future, and I look forward to continuing my service for the country,” he said.

Dr Syed Harun, who is a psychiatrist by training, outlined his previous volunteer work with the Malay/Muslim community, including contributing to Lembaga Biasiswa Kenangan Maulud, a charity dealing with educational bursaries and scholarships for students in need.

“Other than that, I’ve also contributed to the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore as a board member for seven years prior.”

Dr Syed Harun and fellow Nee Soon GRC new face Jackson Lam joined Mr Shanmugam and Nee Soon GRC MPs Carrie Tan, Derrick Goh and Louis Ng on the community visits on March 31.

Another PAP new face, Ms Lee Hui Ying, was also seen on the visits. She is a grassroots leader in the area.

Without confirming if Dr Syed Harun and Mr Lam would replace anyone on the Nee Soon GRC slate, Mr Shanmugam said: “I think (Mr Lam), Dr Harun – they will be able to serve the community very well.

“Whoever we put forward in Yishun, we will have to have the confidence that they can serve the residents of Yishun very well, and we will try and make sure of that.”

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

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