Three new PAP MPs to help lead GPCs
From left: Mr Amrin Amin will be deputy chair of the GPC for Defence and Foreign Affairs, Mr Chong Kee Hiong will be deputy chair of the GPC for National
Development, and Ms Sun Xueling will be deputy chair of the GPC for Communications and Information. TODAY file photos
SINGAPORE — Three new People’s Action Party (PAP) Members of Parliament (MPs) have been appointed to help helm committees set up by the party to scrutinise legislation and policies for the 13th Parliament.
Mr Amrin Amin of Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) will be deputy chair of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Defence and Foreign Affairs. Ms Sun Xueling (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) will be deputy chair of the GPC for Communications and Information, while Mr Chong Kee Hiong (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC) will be deputy chair of the GPC for National Development.
The latter is the result of splitting the National Development and Environment and Water Resources GPC into two committees, to be chaired by Mr Alex Yam (Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC) and Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon GRC), respectively.
GPCs were set up in 1987 by then Deputy Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong to scrutinise the legislation and programmes of the various ministries and serve as an additional channel of feedback on government policies. In all, there will be 12 GPCs when the 13th Parliament sits for the first time on Jan 15, with the President’s Address to be delivered.
Speaking to TODAY on his appointment today (Nov 13), Mr Amrin, who is Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Home Affairs, said his interest in international law lends itself naturally to foreign affairs, adding that his experience will also come in handy for defence matters, such as in understanding geo-political considerations.
Asked what issues the committee could consider, Mr Amrin pointed out manpower constraints as an issue that the Committee to Strengthen National Service will have to deliberate about alongside the “continuously evolving security landscape”.
On his appointment, Mr Chong, who is chief executive at OUE Hospitality REIT Management, said he had indicated his interest in the National Development GPC.
“It could be due to my private sector experience because I have been in the hospitality (business), which is related to real estate, (something) which I can bring to the table,” he said.
He hopes to bring up ground concerns such as affordability of flats, while keeping an eye on new housing policy changes such as the raised income ceilings for public flat buyers.
Ms Sun said that as a first-time back-bencher, she will “strive hard” to contribute to the discussions on communications and information issues, noting these are important given Singapore’s goal to be a smart nation.
Commenting on the move to divide National Development and Environment and Water Resources into two committees, Dr Lee said: “Issues handled by (the two ministries) are very wide, so it is good to split them so that members can better focus to scrutinise the issues and raise them in Parliament.”
Dr Lee added that she will continue to advocate for a clean and green living environment, including speaking on issues such as recycling and designated smoking points. More can also be done on climate change and energy efficient, among others, she said.
Mr Yam said, that based on feedback from past GPC members, “the work involved in (the two ministries) warrants the formation of dedicated GPCs”. He added: “We have made tremendous progress on the housing front. The next area we will need to focus on is to ensure that we are not just building towns and cities but communities.”
Other changes in GPC postings include Mr David Ong (Bukit Batok) taking over as chairman of the GPC for Culture, Community and Youth from Mr Baey Yam Keng, who was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth in the recent Cabinet reshuffle.
Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) will now chair the GPC for Home Affairs, taking over from Mr Hri Kumar, who did not stand in the last General Election. Similarly, Mr Patrick Tay (West Coast GRC) now heads the GPC for Manpower, with the retirement of Mr Zainudin Nordin.
Among the other newly elected PAP MPs, Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC) will be a member of the Communications and Information GPC. Mr Louis Ng (Nee Soon GRC) will be in the GPC for Environment and Water Resources, while Dr Tan Wu Meng (Jurong GRC) will be in the GPC for Health.
