Committee of Supply 2024 debate, Day 7: Indranee Rajah on a trusted and effective Parliament
Singapore’s Parliament has served the country well; it remains an effective platform for rigorous debate on important issues and to deliver effective outcomes and will continue to evolve in tandem with changing needs. This speaks to the resilience of Singapore’s democratic institution. Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said this on Thursday (Mar 7). She addressed issues brought up by three Members. She said that among Singaporeans, there is a high level of trust in Parliament, and this is testimony and credit to many Speakers who have upheld their duties. The principle of the Speaker’s impartiality is not in dispute, she said. On having more Standing Committees or Select Committees, Ms Indranee said this would do little to improve accountability or increase productivity or efficiency. Other countries that have “multitudes of Select Committees” are not necessarily better governed, she said. On the other hand, Singapore fares well in governance, transparency and low levels of corruption in many international rankings. Ms Indranee also said that while politicians cannot be infallible and new candidates or first-time MPs would “occasionally need some latitude”, the line must be drawn at integrity and honesty. She also spoke about how across the world, politicians are becoming targets. This may cause good people to hesitate to step up, but when that happens, some who are “not as good” may do so - “and then the system and the society will suffer as a whole”. She gave her views on what it takes to not become a society like that.
Singapore’s Parliament has served the country well; it remains an effective platform for rigorous debate on important issues and to deliver effective outcomes and will continue to evolve in tandem with changing needs. This speaks to the resilience of Singapore’s democratic institution. Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said this on Thursday (Mar 7). She addressed issues brought up by three Members. She said that among Singaporeans, there is a high level of trust in Parliament, and this is testimony and credit to many Speakers who have upheld their duties. The principle of the Speaker’s impartiality is not in dispute, she said. On having more Standing Committees or Select Committees, Ms Indranee said this would do little to improve accountability or increase productivity or efficiency. Other countries that have “multitudes of Select Committees” are not necessarily better governed, she said. On the other hand, Singapore fares well in governance, transparency and low levels of corruption in many international rankings. Ms Indranee also said that while politicians cannot be infallible and new candidates or first-time MPs would “occasionally need some latitude”, the line must be drawn at integrity and honesty. She also spoke about how across the world, politicians are becoming targets. This may cause good people to hesitate to step up, but when that happens, some who are “not as good” may do so - “and then the system and the society will suffer as a whole”. She gave her views on what it takes to not become a society like that.
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