Hazel Poa on motion calling for abolition of Group Representation Constituencies

While the aim of ensuring minority representation in Parliament through Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) is laudable, the system has generated several “sub-optimal” outcomes, said NCMP Hazel Poa. These include voters being “held to ransom” to vote for Government ministers, weaker candidates riding on the coat-tails of stronger ones, and unfilled vacancies leading to residents being underserved and under-represented. The last point is particularly pertinent when the MP who has resigned is the minority representative of the GRC, she said. This is happening in Jurong GRC with Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s decision to contest in the next Presidential Election. The same thing took place when current President Halimah Yacob ran for office. Ms Poa asked if the PAP intends to regularly repeat this, saying it is analogous to one party changing the terms of a contract unilaterally while the other party is bound to the deal until expiry. Moving a motion in Parliament on Wednesday (Jul 5) calling for the abolition of GRCs, Ms Poa said the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) is confident that Singaporeans do not vote along racial lines and that minority candidates are well able to win elections on their own merits. She made two alternative suggestions to the GRC system. The first is an NCMP scheme for minorities. All candidates, including minority ones, would contest in Single Member Constituencies (SMCs). If enough minority candidates are elected, the scheme does not kick in. If not, losing minority candidates with the highest percentage of votes would be appointed as NCMPs. This system, said Ms Poa, is familiar and would require minimal disruption to the current model. The second suggestion is to adopt some form of proportional representation. This would be adapted to ensure minority representation by stipulating a multiracial slate for SMC contests and a multiracial party list of candidates. Each party must pick from the list to meet minimum racial representation requirements. Ms Poa said this suggestion will require more time and consideration. She noted that PSP’s intention is not to call for immediate action but for thought and discussion, which is possible with the next General Election being two years away.