Time to scrap it

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May 13, 2011
GRC AFTER GE 2011: USEFUL OR NOT?
Time to scrap it
MORE than anything else, GE 2011 shows how wrong the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system is, because it produces results that go against the wishes of the entire electorate.
Most of us, whether we voted PAP or the opposition, do not wish Mr George Yeo and Mr Chiam See Tong to be voted out of Parliament. Nor do we wish the PAP's Ms Tin Pei Ling voted in.

The electorate clearly indicated that it wanted about 40 per cent opposition representation. But despite the Workers' Party gains, the number of opposition MPs is at only 7 per cent.
This anomaly is due solely to the GRC system.
Will the next PAP government listen, or will it, as Senior Minister S. Jayakumar has already done, defend the GRC saying 'the system works'? ('Opposition win shows GRC system works: Jaya'; Monday).
What about ensuring that minority groups are represented?
A look at Parliaments before and after GRC shows that minority groups had always been adequately represented by more than 20 per cent of total Members of Parliament. There may not be any real need.
To be sure, we could always provide for nominated representatives - with full voting rights, unlike current Nominated Members of Parliament - from the minority groups.
Richard Seah
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_667988.html
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