Parliamentary business

• Mdm Speaker announced that the Address of Thanks, agreed to by Parliament on 29 January 2016, was communicated to the President on 1 February 2016.
• This communication fulfills the parliamentary procedure following the resolution on the Address of Thanks.
• The announcement serves as an official record of the communication to the President.

• The debate concerned a motion to adjourn Parliament to a date to be fixed, proposed by Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien.
• The motion was formally put to the House for a resolution.
• Parliament resolved to adjourn accordingly at 7.09 pm.

• Low Thia Khiang opposed the NCMP scheme, arguing it undermines genuine representation and could attract candidates seeking fame rather than real political change.
• Chan Chun Sing challenged Low on why the Workers' Party allowed its members to take up NCMP seats if the scheme is flawed, and defended the scheme's potential contributions to Parliament.
• The Workers' Party members objected to a specific paragraph in the amended motion that criticized their party's handling of the NCMP seat, leading them to abstain from voting on the final motion.
• The motion, as amended, was passed, declaring Ms Lee Li Lian's NCMP seat vacant and resolving to fill it according to the Parliamentary Elections Act.

• Mdm Speaker announced a proposal to extend today's sitting by up to 30 minutes under Standing Order No 2(5)(d).
• The extension aims to allow further debate to continue beyond the usual interruption time.
• Mr Low was given the floor to continue his speech following the announcement.
• The extension is limited to a maximum of 30 minutes to complete the ongoing discussion.
• The motion follows parliamentary procedures to manage the sitting's duration effectively.

The Workers' Party moved a motion to fill the vacant NCMP seat left by Ms Lee Li Lian, who declined it, arguing it is legally permissible and a duty to fill the seat. The People's Action Party supported filling the seat but introduced an amendment regretting Ms Lee's decision and accusing the Workers' Party of political maneuvering. Debates highlighted disagreements on the NCMP scheme's purpose, with the Workers' Party criticizing it as a tool for the ruling party and the PAP defending it as a way to include opposition voices. Speakers from both sides questioned the legitimacy of transferring an NCMP seat to a candidate who did not initially qualify, raising concerns about voter representation. The motion was amended to include criticism of the Workers' Party, which they rejected, while both sides emphasized the need for robust parliamentary debate and political balance.

• Mr Desmond Lee moved for Parliament to adjourn, which was resolved.
• The motion was passed without debate or objection from Members.
• The session ended promptly at 7.06 pm following the adjournment.

• The Deputy Leader, Mr Desmond Lee, moved to adjourn the debate, which was resolved by the House.
• Deputy Speaker asked when the debate would resume, and Mr Christopher de Souza proposed tomorrow.
• Deputy Speaker confirmed that the debate would resume tomorrow.

• Deputy Speaker proposed to extend today's sitting by up to 30 minutes under Standing Order No 2(5)(d).
• The proposal was made to continue discussions beyond the scheduled interruption time.
• The extension aims to allow more parliamentary business to be completed.

• The motion to adjourn Parliament was proposed by Mr Desmond Lee.
• The motion was resolved and passed without further debate.
• Parliament was adjourned at 6.35 pm.

• The Deputy Leader, Mr Desmond Lee, sought and received consent from the Speaker to adjourn the debate.
• A clarification was made by Sylvia Lim about a reference to a swimmer receiving National Service deferment, with David Ong confirming he meant the swimmer's brother.
• The debate was formally adjourned following the Deputy Leader's renewed request and the Speaker's approval.
• Christopher de Souza requested that the debate resume the following day, which the Speaker confirmed.

• The Leader of the House, Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien, sought consent to exempt the Prime Minister’s speech from the time limit under Standing Order No. 48(8).
• Mdm Speaker granted consent and asked for general assent from Members present.
• Hon Members indicated assent, and the motion was put to a vote and agreed to.
• The proceedings on the item were resolved to be exempted from the time limit in respect of the Prime Minister’s speech.

• Mdm Speaker reminded new Members that supplementary questions should be short, succinct, and to the point, not speeches.
• She then called Mr Christopher de Souza to speak.
• The reminder was given to ensure efficient and focused parliamentary proceedings.

• The motion to adjourn Parliament was proposed by Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien.
• The debate on the adjournment motion proceeded without further discussion.
• Parliament was adjourned at 6.08 pm following the proposal.

• The Leader of the House moved to adjourn the debate and received the Deputy Speaker's consent.
• The motion to adjourn the debate was formally resolved.
• The Deputy Speaker asked when the debate would resume, and Christopher de Souza requested it to resume the next day.
• The Deputy Speaker agreed to the resumption date.

• Mdm Speaker appointed Ms Jessica Tan as Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and Ms Foo Mee Har as Chairman of the Estimates Committee.
• The appointments were made pursuant to paragraphs (2) and (3) of Standing Order 100.
• The debate focused on formalizing the leadership of these two parliamentary committees.

• Parliament was adjourned at 6.10 pm after a motion to adjourn was raised by Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien.
• The debate consisted of a single procedural motion with no substantive policy discussion or opposition speeches.
• The motion was resolved and passed without recorded amendments or objections.

• The Leader of the House moved to appoint seven members to the Committee of Selection, including Mr Chan Chun Sing, Mr Cedric Foo, Ms Grace Fu, Ms Indranee Rajah, Mr Low Thia Khiang, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, and Mr Ong Ye Kung.
• The motion was made under paragraph (1) of Standing Order 100 to enable the Committee to begin nominating Members to six Standing Select Committees and the Special Select Committee on Nominated MPs.
• The Parliament resolved to appoint the listed individuals as members of the Committee of Selection.

• The Leader of the House moved to adjourn the debate, and the Speaker consented.
• The motion to adjourn the debate was formally resolved and recorded.
• The Speaker asked Christopher de Souza when the debate should resume, and he proposed the next day.
• The Speaker approved the resumption of the debate for the following day.

• The Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill was introduced to amend the GST Act, with the President's recommendation signified and presented by Mr Heng Swee Keat.
• The bill received its first reading and was scheduled for a second reading at the next available Parliament sitting, with instructions for it to be printed.
• The debate focused on legislative procedures for amending the GST Act, outlining the initial steps and future parliamentary proceedings.

• Seah Kian Peng proposed Mr Charles Chong and Mr Lim Biow Chuan as Deputy Speakers, citing their extensive parliamentary experience and active contributions to committees.
• He highlighted Mr Chong's long service since 1988 and prior role as Deputy Speaker, and Mr Lim's legal background and involvement in parliamentary groups.
• Ms Indranee Rajah supported the proposal without additional remarks.
• With no other proposals, Mdm Speaker declared both nominees duly elected.