Jamus Lim on motion calling for impartial Speaker and Parliament as a fair arena
When Singapore was a developing nation, many of its challenges were about getting fundamentals right and the kinds of optimal policies it should pursue were well understood. However, solutions to issues are no longer as clear-cut now that Singapore is a developed nation, said MP Jamus Lim in Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 2). He said the matters that now occupy much of Singapore’s political and Parliamentary time include the need for greater social protection, a more vibrant intellectual environment, greater equity in sharing the fruits of economic success, and tricky matters of individual liberty and sociocultural norms such as the debate over the repeal of Section 377A. It is impossible to successfully identify the “right” way forward unless there is genuine, passionate and animated debate, he said. And this can only happen in a Parliamentary setting where differences of opinion are not only acquiesced to but welcomed, where members feel free to air alternative views, with an adjudicator whom they feel is independent and impartial. Assoc Prof Lim said he hoped the Government would not casually dismiss alternative, evidence-based policy proposals put up in good faith, but offer equally evidence-based counter-arguments when rejecting any given policy proposal. He said he believes Singapore needs "greater competition in the politics, policies and ideas" that will bring the country forward into the next century.
When Singapore was a developing nation, many of its challenges were about getting fundamentals right and the kinds of optimal policies it should pursue were well understood. However, solutions to issues are no longer as clear-cut now that Singapore is a developed nation, said MP Jamus Lim in Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 2). He said the matters that now occupy much of Singapore’s political and Parliamentary time include the need for greater social protection, a more vibrant intellectual environment, greater equity in sharing the fruits of economic success, and tricky matters of individual liberty and sociocultural norms such as the debate over the repeal of Section 377A. It is impossible to successfully identify the “right” way forward unless there is genuine, passionate and animated debate, he said. And this can only happen in a Parliamentary setting where differences of opinion are not only acquiesced to but welcomed, where members feel free to air alternative views, with an adjudicator whom they feel is independent and impartial. Assoc Prof Lim said he hoped the Government would not casually dismiss alternative, evidence-based policy proposals put up in good faith, but offer equally evidence-based counter-arguments when rejecting any given policy proposal. He said he believes Singapore needs "greater competition in the politics, policies and ideas" that will bring the country forward into the next century.
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