Parliamentary business — Topics

19 Sep 2023

Length of Time Member of Parliament S Iswaran will be Absent from Parliament

Pritam Singh asked the Prime Minister for an update on how long MP S Iswaran will be absent from Parliament.
Chan Chun Sing, responding for the Prime Minister, stated that Iswaran was granted leave of absence due to an ongoing investigation.
The Prime Minister’s Office declined to provide a specific update, citing the need to avoid prejudicing the investigations.

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19 Sep 2023

Adjournment

Ms Indranee Rajah moved a motion to adjourn Parliament today to a date to be fixed.
The debate focused on the procedural resolution to suspend the sitting.
No substantive policy issues were discussed; the motion was purely administrative.

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19 Sep 2023

Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962

Hazel Poa moved to introduce a Bill to amend the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962, allowing Parliament to authorize back payments for MPs suspended pending a legal outcome.
The amendment was proposed to ensure fairness for MPs who might be found innocent after a long suspension and to avoid wasting taxpayers' money if an MP is ultimately found guilty.
The Speaker called for a vote on the motion, and after Members expressed "Aye" and "No," the "Noes" prevailed, resulting in the motion being negatived.

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19 Sep 2023

Consideration of Matters regarding Member of Parliament, and Suspension of Member

The Progressive Singapore Party (PSP) proposed suspending MP S Iswaran's duties and parliamentary allowance during corruption investigations, arguing it would protect public funds and uphold integrity, with back pay if he is cleared.
The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and other members opposed this, emphasizing the presumption of innocence and that suspension requires proven misconduct, warning that the motion would set a dangerous precedent and undermine due process.
The House passed the government's motion to await investigation outcomes before deciding on Iswaran's case, while rejecting the PSP's suspension motion, which was seen as premature and targeted.

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19 Sep 2023

Suspension of Member

Hazel Poa moved a motion to suspend Minister Iswaran for the remainder of the parliamentary session, citing his suspension from duties, an ongoing corruption investigation, and the need to prudently use taxpayers' money while allowing for back pay if he is cleared.
The motion contrasts with the Government's motion to only consider the matter later, arguing that maintaining the status quo allows an MP under investigation to continue receiving full allowances without performing duties.
During clarification, the Leader of the House questioned the legal basis for suspension, leading to a debate on whether the motion was a specific case targeting Iswaran or a broader principle for any MP under investigation for serious crimes.

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19 Sep 2023

Consideration of Matters Regarding Member of Parliament

The Speaker ruled that debates must not discuss ongoing CPIB or police investigations into any MP's personal conduct, as this could prejudice proceedings and will be deemed irrelevant.
The Leader of the House moved a motion affirming high integrity standards for MPs, fair handling of those under investigation, and deferring action on MP S Iswaran until investigations conclude.
She criticized NCMP Hazel Poa's motion to suspend Iswaran as targeting his MP allowance without clear principles, noting other MPs under investigation have not been suspended.
The Leader urged decisions based on general principles rather than individual cases, warning against exploiting the situation for political ends and calling for consistent standards across parties.
The Speaker then allowed Hazel Poa to present her motion, initiating joint debate on both motions.

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19 Sep 2023

Simultaneous Debate on Motions

The Leader of the House moved a motion to conduct a simultaneous debate on two separate motions concerning a Member of Parliament, allowing members to address both issues in a single speech.
The motion specified that the debate would be concurrent but the motions would remain separate, with votes taken individually after the debate.
The motion was agreed to by the House, and the Clerk was instructed to proceed with reading the Orders of the Day.

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19 Sep 2023

Rearrangement of Business

Ms Indranee Rajah proposed reordering parliamentary business so that Ms Hazel Poa’s motion for leave to introduce a Bill to amend the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act would be debated after motions on member conduct and suspension.
The proposed sequence reflects logical dependency: the need for back pay amendments depends on whether Parliament decides to suspend Mr Iswaran, which in turn depends on the outcome of related motions.
The rearrangement was agreed to by Parliament, allowing for more efficient handling of the three motions scheduled for the day.

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18 Sep 2023

Adjournment of Debate

Minister of State for Social and Family Development Ms Sun Xueling moved a motion to adjourn the debate.
The motion was formally resolved, indicating parliamentary approval to pause the discussion.
The Speaker confirmed the debate would resume the following day.

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18 Sep 2023

Second Complaint by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai

Speaker received a second written complaint from Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai regarding off-mike remarks made by Minister Vivian Balakrishnan two years earlier, which had already been addressed with an apology and acceptance.
Speaker determined the complaint was out of time and not actionable, noting the matter was closed after the Minister's apology and the MP's acceptance, and directed both documents to be published in Hansard.
Speaker emphasized that unparliamentary language or disorderly conduct will not be condoned, reminding Members to maintain decorum and respect parliamentary rules.

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18 Sep 2023

First Complaint by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Mr Leong Mun Wai

The Speaker ruled that Mr Murali Pillai’s statement about Mr Leong Mun Wai advocating rent control did not impute improper motives and thus did not breach Standing Order 50(6).
The Speaker emphasized that differing interpretations of “rent control” are normal in parliamentary debate and both members had opportunities to clarify their positions in Hansard.
Mr Leong requested clarification on whether the Speaker agreed he never mentioned “rent control,” but the Speaker refused to reopen the debate and reaffirmed the decision was final.

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3 Aug 2023

Adjournment

The debate concerns a motion to adjourn Parliament to a date to be fixed.
Mr. Zaqy Mohamad is the mover of the adjournment motion.
The motion is procedural and does not involve substantive policy discussion.
The debate appears straightforward with no noted opposition or amendments.
The motion is expected to be put to a vote for adoption.

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2 Aug 2023

Clarification by Leader of the House

The Leader of the House corrected her earlier statement to note that the Parliament Secretariat organised 19 overseas trips since 2020, with 60 MPs participating, and clarified that Miss Cheng Li Hui attended only one trip.
A factual correction was issued regarding the year in which Mr. J.B. Jeyaretnam commented on the reappointment of Dr. Yeoh Ghim Seng as Speaker, changing it from 1995 to 1985.

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2 Aug 2023

Adjournment

Mr Zaqy Mohamad proposed that Parliament adjourn to a date to be fixed, which was resolved.
The Speaker announced the adjournment until 11:00 am the following day and called for order.
Parliament was adjourned at 7:11 pm.

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2 Aug 2023

Impartial Speaker of Parliament

The debate centered on whether the Speaker of Parliament must be politically independent or merely impartial, with PSP's Leong Mun Wai advocating for an independent Speaker while others argued impartiality suffices.
Amendments were passed to reaffirm the Speaker's duty to discharge duties independently and impartially, and to uphold parliamentary rules, replacing the original motion's call for political independence.
Supporters of the amended motion cited constitutional provisions, international practices, and past Speakers' conduct as proof that party-affiliated Speakers can be impartial.
Opponents, including PSP members, recorded dissent, arguing the amendments maintain the status quo rather than advancing democratic reforms.
The final motion passed with amendments, emphasizing impartiality over independence and reinforcing adherence to parliamentary procedures.

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2 Aug 2023

Exempted Business

Mr Zaqy Mohamad proposed a resolution to exempt today's scheduled business from the provisions of Standing Order No 2.
The resolution aims to allow the day's proceedings to proceed without the restrictions imposed by the standing order.
The motion was set for consideration during the current parliamentary sitting.

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2 Aug 2023

Impartial Speaker of Parliament

The debate centers on a motion reaffirming the need for the Speaker of Parliament to be independent and impartial, with PSP highlighting the need for public trust in the Speaker’s office.
The Speaker strictly limited references to former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin’s conduct, citing Standing Orders, and redirected the debate to the principle of impartiality rather than specific past events.
Vikram Nair proposed amendments emphasizing the Speaker’s duty to discharge duties impartially and uphold Parliament’s rules, arguing that being from the ruling party does not inherently compromise independence.
Assoc Prof Jamus Lim underscored the importance of respectful, evidence-based debate in Parliament, stressing that an impartial Speaker is essential for fair discussion of policy trade-offs.

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2 Aug 2023

Points of Order Relating to PSP’s Video and Facebook Post, and Unparliamentary Language Used by Former Speaker

The Leader of the House stated that the Progress Singapore Party had removed an edited video and issued an apology, concluding the matter without further action.
She addressed the former Speaker's expletive remark, noting his public and personal apologies, and read his formal apology to the House, recommending no further action.
Opposition MPs raised concerns about the delayed release of the hot-mic video and suggested a police investigation, but the Leader responded that no offence was apparent.
Clarifications were sought on the authority to address unparliamentary language by the Speaker, with the Leader stating she acted persuasively, not authoritatively.
The Leader reminded all Members to maintain decorum during debates, concluding the discussion on the incidents.

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2 Aug 2023

Resignation of Members

Deputy Speaker Jessica Tan acknowledged receipt of Tharman Shanmugaratnam's resignation letter on 7 July 2023 at 6.40 pm, making his Jurong seat vacant immediately under the Constitution.
Deputy Speaker Christopher de Souza acknowledged receipt of Cheng Li Hui's resignation on 17 July 2023 at 12.15 pm, making her Tampines seat vacant immediately.
Deputy Speaker Jessica Tan also acknowledged receipt of Leon Perera's resignation on 19 July 2023 at 2.40 pm, making his Aljunied seat vacant immediately.
All three resignations were communicated to Parliament members on the respective days of receipt.

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2 Aug 2023

Administration of Oaths

The session began with several Members taking and subscribing the Oath of Allegiance or making an Affirmation of Allegiance.
The Speaker welcomed the Nominated Members and expressed anticipation for their participation in the House proceedings.
Applause followed the Speaker's welcoming remarks, indicating a positive reception of the new Members.

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