Election of Deputy Speakers

Senior Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad.

Mr Speaker, I propose that Mr Christopher de Souza and Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo be elected as Deputy Speakers of this Parliament.

Mr Christopher de Souza, Ms Jessica Tan and I became Members of Parliament in 2006, together in this House. I have grown together with them in my political career, and can say that they are both highly experienced Parliamentarians, model professionals and have a strong sense of fairness and objectivity in them, which make them suited for this role.

Mr Christopher de Souza is an accomplished lawyer who has also contributed actively to Parliamentary work. One of Mr de Souza’s notable contributions was the introduction of a Private Member’s Bill – Prevention of Human Trafficking Bill – in October 2014. The Bill was passed in November 2014. He also served as Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Law from 2015 to 2020.

Ms Jessica Tan, comes with extensive corporate experience in senior leadership roles with multi-national firms. Over the years, she has made significant contributions as a Member of this House, serving as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee from 2016 to 2020 and as Chairman for the Government Parliamentary Committee for Finance, Trade and Industry from 2010 to 2015.

I am confident that both Mr Christopher de Souza and Ms Jessica Tan, with their expertise, experience and character, will make good deputies in discharging their duties and support Mr Speaker in the course of this Fourteenth Parliament session.

Mr Speaker, I support the proposal.

There being no other proposal, I declare Mr Christopher de Souza and Ms Jessica Tan Soon Neo to have been duly elected as Deputy Speakers of this Parliament. [Applause.]