MPs sit together in Parliament's main chamber for first time in 2 years as some frontbenchers shift seats
SINGAPORE — All Members of Parliament (MPs) sat together in Parliament's main chamber for the first time in two years on Monday (April 4) as eased Covid-19 restrictions took effect. At the same time, the seating positions of some frontbenchers were changed.
Despite the return to greater normality, the MPs were still split into two groups and took their breaks in separate areas.
The 14th Parliament opened on Aug 24, 2020, after the July 10 General Election, with Covid-19 measures stipulating at least one empty seat between each MP.
The measures, which took effect from March 25 that year, also meant that some MPs had to spill over to the galleries on the other levels.
In the latest seating plan, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong maintains his seat on the front row, on the right-hand side of the Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin. Also unchanged, PM Lee is flanked on his left by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and on his right by Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam.
Seated immediately to the left of SM Teo is Finance Minister Lawrence Wong, and then Education Minister Chan Chun Sing.
That means Mr Wong is now one seat closer to PM Lee than in the previous seating plan, as of July 1, 2021, because Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who previously sat where Mr Wong is now, has moved to sit on Mr Shanmugam's right.
To the right of Dr Balakrishan is Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.
Mr Ong was previously four places to the right of PM Lee, and is now three places to his right. Mr Chan was previously two spaces to the right of PM Lee, and is now three spaces to his left.
In his opening address, Speaker of Parliament Tan noted that as Singapore reaches a milestone in the fight against Covid-19, MPs could take heart that they had remained steadfast.
"We do not let the virus slow us down and we soldiered on to complete the parliamentary business before us," he said.
Mr Tan highlighted some measures still implemented in Parliament even as the nation had revised Covid-19 safe management measures.
This includes wearing masks at all times within the Parliament building, except while making speeches or asking questions.
“The current seating arrangement in the chamber is still based on members being separated into two groups. Similarly, members will also take your breaks in separate break rooms, according to the group you are in,” he said.
However, Mr Tan quipped that "we have mixed the groups so you can make new friends”.
The gallery right across from him has been set aside for MPs who have been in close contact with Covid-19 cases but have tested negative, he said.
The public galleries on the third level are now open to members of the public who would like to observe parliamentary proceedings in person, said Mr Tan, adding that they could also catch the live streaming online.
