Election of Deputy Speakers

Mdm Speaker, I propose that the hon Mr Charles Chong and Mr Lim Biow Chuan be elected as Deputy Speakers of this Parliament.

Mr Charles Chong has been a Member of Parliament since 1988. I think this makes him the longest serving and the most experienced backbencher. He has sat on Select Committees and has led various Government Parliamentary Committees. He also participated actively in the work of various parliamentary conferences. He was also the Deputy Speaker in the Twelfth Parliament session, having been elected and appointed to the position in 2011. I had the privilege of working with and being seated next to Mr Charles Chong during the last Parliament session.

As for Mr Lim Biow Chuan, he was, like me, elected to Parliament in 2006. A lawyer by profession, Mr Lim has contributed actively to parliamentary work. He was a member on the Standing Select Committee and was Singapore's regional representative in the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Exco. He has participated in the work of the various parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship and regional groups.

With their expertise, experience and character, I am confident that both Mr Charles Chong and Mr Lim Biow Chuan will make good deputies in discharging their duties and supporting Mdm Speaker in the course of this Thirteenth Parliament session.

Mdm Speaker, I support the proposal.

There being no other proposal, I declare Mr Charles Chong and Mr Lim Biow Chuan to have been duly elected as Deputy Speakers of this Parliament. [Applause.]