NCMP scheme ‘superior to proportional representation’
SINGAPORE — Pointing out that the Singapore-created Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme is superior to the divisive nature of proportional representation systems in the House, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong proposed two major changes to the scheme that he aims to put in place from the next General Election.
The Opposition will be guaranteed 12 seats in Parliament regardless of their electoral performance — up from nine — and NCMPs will get equal voting rights as constituency parliamentarians. Together with the Nominated MPs scheme, which remains unchanged, there will be at least 21 non-ruling party parliamentarians.
This way, even if the government wins by a landslide, it will still have to argue for and defend its policies robustly, said Mr Lee.
“We will, in effect, be aiding the Opposition, giving their best losers more exposure and possibly building them for the next GE. But, I believe that in this phase of our political development, this is good for the government, good for Singapore,” he added.
The NCMP scheme guarantees an Opposition voice in Parliament by giving their top-performing losers at the polls, seats in the House, if the number of elected Opposition candidates falls short of the minimum — three, when it was created in 1984; and raised to nine in 2010. While NCMPs are allowed to question, speak and debate in Parliament, they are currently barred from voting on constitutional amendments, supply bills, money bills and motions of no confidence in the government, and removing a President from office.
With the proposed changes, NCMPs will be “equal in powers, although not in responsibility and scope” to constituency MPs, said Mr Lee. “There will be no reason at all to perceive NCMPs as second-class,” he added, referring to the common complaint from the Opposition against the hitherto difference in voting rights.
On the Opposition’s argument that they fail to put up a stronger showing in Parliament due to their small representation, Mr Lee said: “I think this is an excuse, because the Opposition’s impact depends on the quality of the Opposition MPs and arguments, far more than their number. But having more NCMPs will give the Opposition more opportunity to show what they can do.”
He added that the exposure will bring recognition to “capable and effective” NCMPs, and help them in winning a constituency in future, citing the Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim, who became NCMP in 2006, as an example. “She acquitted herself in Parliament, impressed voters and became an MP elected in Aljunied GRC in 2011.” Adding that open argument should not be feared by any ruling party and government, Mr Lee said Singapore will ultimately benefit from the contest of ideas.
Having MPs elected in different ways is “not at all unusual”, said Mr Lee, citing Mixed Member Proportional Representation systems in Taiwan and New Zealand, where some MPs are elected from constituencies, while others are picked from party lists, based on the proportion of the total votes each party gets.
“Such a system, where you top up beyond what the first-past-the post system gives you, helps moderate the extreme outcomes of a first-past-the-post system. But a proportional representation system would be bad for Singapore,” he said.
“It would result in political parties based on race or religion. It would encourage political leaders to champion the demands of their particular segment, against the broader interests of Singapore. It would divide us, rather than bring us together.”
