Considerations for Permanent Member Appointments to Presidential Council for Minority Rights and Misconduct Removal Procedures

Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the considerations for Cabinet when making a recommendation to the President to appoint a person as a permanent member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR); (b) whether there are mechanisms to remove a PCMR member for misconduct or reasons other than those enumerated in Article 72 of the Constitution; and (c) if not, why not.

The Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR) consists of a Chairman and not more than 20 members, of which up to 10 members may be permanent members appointed for life. Permanent members are individuals of distinction, chosen from those who hold or have held high offices, including Cabinet Ministers. Non-permanent members are mature citizens who have either rendered distinguished public service or attained eminence in their fields. They may be appointed for a period of three years and are eligible for reappointment.

Under Article 73 of the Constitution, a PCMR member, whether permanent or non-permanent, shall vacate his seat in the PCMR if he ceases to be a Singapore Citizen, or resigns, or becomes subject to any of the disqualifications in Article 72. For example, a person who is of unsound mind or an undischarged bankrupt is disqualified from membership of the PCMR. Cases of misconduct that result in a person being convicted of an offence and sentenced to at least one year's imprisonment or a fine of at least $10,000, would also result in that person's disqualification for membership of the PCMR.