New Speaker urges MPs to tap on collective wisdom of S’poreans
Newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin gives his inaugural speech as Speaker during a Sitting of Parliament, Sept 11, 2017. Photo: Gov.sg
SINGAPORE — Newly-elected Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin yesterday urged Members of Parliament to engage Singaporeans and tap on their “collective wisdom” so that the House will remain effective in an era of growing uncertainties, rapid changes and greater contestation of ideas.
“Very involved discourse is also taking place outside this House as people are more aware and more informed ... To be effective, we do need to engage beyond this House, to tap the collective wisdom that lies without,” said Mr Tan, who was giving his first speech as the Republic’s 10th Speaker of Parliament.
“While we all need to be grounded and engaged, let us be clear: The buck stops here. We need to be the institution that channels and reflects the voices of the people, so that we can query, answer and debate in a manner that provides hope and clarity.”
The contest of ideas will be even more complex in future, said Mr Tan, noting how “information flows almost unbounded and in copious volume”.
“The world continues to change with ever accelerating speed. We feel uncertain. The challenge therefore is to discern, sense-make and find clarity,” he said, noting how the rise of “fake news”, which he described as oxymoronic,
can adversely affect people’s lives.
“Because fake news is not news, but lies. Putting on a sheep’s coat does not make these falsehoods true. And yet we have seen time and again, how misinformation can have serious impact on people’s lives,” said Mr Tan, who resigned as Minister of Family and Social Development to take on the role of Speaker.
Calling on MPs to strive for the trust and respect of Singaporeans by keeping their ears on the ground, Mr Tan added: “As Members of Parliament, whatever our stripes, we need to be accessible, relevant and to be real. We need to present the voices and needs of our individual constituents, but we need also to stand for a united Singapore, to speak with one voice in a fissiparous world.”
Parliamentarians must be a “beacon” from where Singaporeans can confidently take reference in addressing issues that “matter greatly for our collective well-being”, he said.
Mr Tan also described the presence of Opposition voices in Parliament as “a strength and positive step” towards constructive contestation of ideas.
Pledging to facilitate robust and free-flowing debate, with the aim of creating “better policies and laws”, Mr Tan said: “I expect you to debate vigorously, but maintain mutual respect, do not abuse our parliamentary privileges and to keep to the Standing Orders. I will be impartial and fair, but I will also be firm.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong nominated Mr Tan as Speaker last week, in a move that caught analysts and the public by surprise as the 48-year-old was tipped as a key member of Singapore’s next generation of leaders. He had quickly risen up the ranks within the People’s Action Party and the Cabinet since entering politics in 2011.
Acknowledging the public reaction, Mr Tan said: “Many were surprised and it sparked off some discussion about the role of the Speaker. That is not a bad thing. We do need fellow Singaporeans to be involved, and to gain a deeper understanding of not just the Speaker’s role but also that of Parliament, its proceedings and how all of us here contribute to making Singapore a better home for our people.”
Mr Tan recounted how when Singapore’s first Finance Minister Lim Kim San reported the loss of S$70 million in revenue as a result of independence during the Republic’s first Parliament session in 1965, founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had “counted it cheap as the price of independence”.
Quoting the late Mr Lee in describing how the price was paid for “an antique gold piece”, Mr Tan said: “We today, remain the possessor of this gold piece, which we have burnished to a shine and multiplied several times over. Our focus is and must be to ensure that these gold pieces work better for Singaporeans, for Singapore, for today and compounded in force, for all our tomorrows.”
Mr Tan also paid tribute to former Speaker Madam Halimah Yacob for her advice and support as he assumed the new appointment. He said: “She has more than enough on her plate at the moment, but as is typical of her, she has made time for me in her diary. That is the woman she is. For that, I am grateful.”
