Leong Mun Wai wraps up debate on motion calling for impartial Speaker and Parliament as a fair arena

In Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 2), NCMP Leong Mun Wai wrapped up the debate on a motion he had tabled, calling on the House to reaffirm its commitment to the need for the Speaker to be independent and impartial and for Parliament to be a fair arena for all. Mr Leong said the motion was meant to propose a gradual process of change, with a suggestion - “for the time being” - that the Government ensure the Speaker does not belong to the central committee of the ruling party. This was “a small step”, he said. Mr Leong added that due to the current Standing Orders of the House, the motion was not allowed to be debated in a more open and substantive way “because of a technical point”. At the same time, amendments proposed by MP Vikram Nair would result in “reaffirming the status quo”. He said times have changed and Singapore cannot “stick to the old rules” in many aspects of its government. Ultimately, he said, “the best solution to making our Parliament a fairer arena for all is to have at least one-third or 33 per cent of alternative MPs in this House, commensurate with the percentage of votes that alternative parties have already won” at the ballot box. The amended motion was then passed, with Mr Leong and fellow NCMP Hazel Poa recording their dissent.