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Apr 21, 2011
His view of a First World Parliament
MS INDRANEE Rajah named countries with a multi-party legislature stuck in gridlock and engaged in political theatre while governance, the economy and people suffer, and policies which would benefit the people cannot get passed, ('WP's fictional First World Parliament'; Tuesday).
I live the reality in Singapore's present parliamentary process where the political dominance of a single party has resulted in policies which adversely affect the lives of Singaporeans without meaningful debate in Parliament. One example - the extensive opening of the immigrant floodgates without basic planning for extending transport and housing infrastructures.
I would have been happy if these policies had faced gridlock in Parliament until a solution had been ironed out through rigorous civil debate and fair negotiation.
Instead, the lack of debate or even early public knowledge of these policies has now become a hot-button issue for the People's Action Party (PAP).
As for political theatre, even without a strong opposition presence, it is already happening in some of our parliamentary debates. For example, why wasn't the whip lifted when parliamentary voting took place for the casino debate? If the PAP had allowed its MPs to vote according to conscience and feedback from their constituents, we may not have had to witness the recent public shedding of tears.
It is a parliamentary system I want as a citizen. Ms Indranee claims there is no successful model of a First World Parliament. I would venture that a First World Parliament is best explained as a parliamentary concept where the attributes of good governance, respect for diversity of views, civil and robust debate, fair negotiations, and a strong elected opposition presence are truly honoured.
Fong Hoe Fang
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_659165.html
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