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SINGAPORE: Changes to Singapore's electoral system announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday are not aimed at keeping the People's Action Party (PAP) in power, said Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in Parliament on Thursday.
Members of Parliament (MPs) debating on the electoral changes have welcomed the move, including those from the Workers' Party.
The changes include reducing the size of the Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs), increasing the number of single-member wards and having more opposition voices through an enlarged Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) scheme.
But if the Workers' Party had a choice, it would prefer that the GRC scheme be scrapped.
NCMP Sylvia Lim said: "Though the PAP's claim is that GRCs ensure minority representation, we have seen in Singapore's past that minority candidates were elected as individuals without any need for such affirmative actions."
The party also reiterated its opposition to the Nominated MP (NMP) scheme.
MP of Hougang and secretary-general of Workers' Party, Low Thia Khiang, said: "We believe that Parliament should consist of elected members and Parliament should not become just a token of airing the people's view without any significant working of the system."
But Dr Balakrishnan called the Workers' Party's response a regurgitated old position.
The minister stressed that Singapore's political system is one that is slanted in favour of ensuring that only political parties which can form strong governments will be serious contenders in the general elections.
He said: "What we are trying to tell our people is that in future, you don't need to vote tactically. We will guarantee a diversity of views in this House, but focus on choosing candidates who can form a government.
"Focus on choosing someone who will run your town council, look after your homes and people, keep (Singapore) safe and clean, and keep its values up. That is the primary question. Everything else is secondary."
He said any future government of Singapore must be made up of candidates who can run the country honestly, and safeguard the future of Singapore.
Dr Balakrishnan said: "Any future government of Singapore must be one consisting of a party which can put up candidates of a sufficient quality which can run it (Singapore), and can do so honestly and in a way which can safeguard our future.
"Our system makes it difficult for parties who are just there to just make some arguments in Parliament or win a few seats."
- CNA/yt
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