Call for Political Change

Today ran this article on 26 May 2009:

'Start with electoral boundaries’
By Alicia Wong

THOUGH it may put the People’s Action Party’s dominance at risk, the “sheer symbolism” of having smaller Group Representation Constituencies (GRC) and more Single Member Constituencies (SMC) willl “go a long way towards convincing Singaporeans that the PAP is serious about political change,” said Nominated MP Siew Kum Hong.

President S R Nathan had last week signalled that Singapore’s political system must evolve as society changes.

In Mr Siew’s view, clear commitments to not constantly re-draw the electoral boundaries, and publishing the reasons should the Government do so, will help restore Singaporean’s respect for the process and increase their desire to vote.

“That has to be the starting place if we truly want Singapore politics to evolve and Singaporeans to participate,” argued Mr Siew, who saw a “longstanding problem of political apathy and disengagement”.

MP Low Thia Kiang (Hougang) called for the strengthening of external checks and balances in the political system, in the form of the Opposition.

It is not enough that the losing candidate is appointed as a Non-Constituency MP, he argued; elected MPs have the benefit of Meet the People sessions which help them grasp issues on the ground. Also, given the chance to represent a constituency gives the Opposition party space for events to widen its networks.

In contrast to Mr Siew’s view, Reach chairman Amy Khor believes there is “a growing political maturity and vigorous, no holds barred debate on issues of the day”. She cited discussions on the Reach portal on electricity prices and the NMP nominations.

MP Michael Palmer (Pasir Ris-Ponggol) agreed society is becoming more “outspoken” as channels of communication between the Government and people grow. Recent episodes in civil society and sports associations also show “a cry for openness and transparency”, he noted.

Dr Khor said “cautious” experimentation is the way forward. With Singapore’s small size, there is no “manoeuvre room to embark on bold political experimentation without risking everything that has been painstakingly built up over the past few decades”, she warned.