Raj Joshua Thomas on motion calling for impartial Speaker and Parliament as a fair arena for all

In Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 2), NMP Raj Joshua Thomas said he would not be able to support the motion as introduced by NCMPs Leong Mun Wai and Hazel Poa. He said he agrees that the Speaker of Parliament should be impartial and that Parliament should be a fair arena for debate. But he cannot agree with the original motion calling for the Speaker to be independent. He pointed out that Mr Leong appears to have conflated the words “independent” and “impartial”. He said the term “independent” would generally mean that the MP is not affiliated with a political party. But the Constitution provides that the Speaker of Parliament may be elected from amongst MPs who are not ministers or Parliamentary secretaries, or from amongst persons who are not MPs. The Constitution does not require a Speaker to be independent. He also pointed out that there have not been any independents elected to Parliament since Singapore’s independence. “So, this option can be dispensed with immediately,” he said. Mr Thomas said he has read media reports suggesting that NMPs be considered, but he said they are hardly a proper source given that their term is only half of a Parliament’s full term. Given that Speakers do not take part in debates, it would be contrary to the objectives of having NMPs, which is to provide for alternative voices in Parliament, he said. Mr Thomas said he supports the motion as amended by MP Vikram Nair as it addresses the need for the Speaker to discharge his duties independently and impartially.