Parliamentary business

• Sylvia Lim proposed a reduction of $100 in the budget for Parliament, emphasizing the need for improved accountability and transparency in the legislative process.
• She raised concerns about the management of Parliamentary Questions (PQs), particularly regarding the redirection of questions to different ministries without consulting the MPs, which can hinder effective scrutiny of the government.
• Lim criticized the recent use of a Certificate of Urgency for the Insurance (Amendment) Bill, arguing it undermined Parliament's reputation and deprived MPs of the opportunity to hear from affected parties through a Select Committee.
• She expressed unease about the composition of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR), questioning the appropriateness of having permanent members who are or were Cabinet Ministers, suggesting it creates a conflict of interest.
• The Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah, defended the government's practices regarding PQs and the urgency of legislation, asserting that the redirection of questions is necessary for effective governance and that urgent bills are occasionally required to address pressing issues.

Parliament was resolved to adjourn to Monday, 3 March 2025, as announced by Mr. Zaqy Mohamad. The session was officially adjourned at 7:15 PM.

Zaqy Mohamad requested to report progress and seek leave to reconvene on Monday, 3 March 2025, during the Committee of Supply. The Chairman consented to this request. Zaqy reported that the Committee has progressed on the Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 2025/2026. The Speaker approved the request for the Committee to sit again at the specified date.

The Committee of Supply is considering the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for Singapore for the financial year 2025-2026. A total of 600 amendments to the Estimates have been submitted this year. The Chairman reminded members about the time limits for discussion and the need to adhere to the set speech times during the proceedings. The discussion will begin with the Heads of Expenditure, starting with the Prime Minister's Office.

The Speaker completed the debate on the Budget Statement and announced a break until 2.55 pm. The time for the Committee of Supply has been revised to begin at 2.55 pm. The guillotine time for the Prime Minister's Office budget is set for 5.45 pm. Members will be informed of revised conclusion times for subsequent budget discussions. The sitting was suspended at 2.34 pm.

Parliament adjourned after Ms. Indranee Rajah's motion to conclude the session. The Speaker announced that the next Sitting will begin at 11:00 am. The session officially ended at 6:24 pm.

The Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah, requested consent to adjourn the debate, which was granted by the Speaker. The Parliament formally resolved to adjourn. The Speaker confirmed that the debate would be resumed the following day.

The Speaker announced the fixed times for concluding the consideration of expenditure heads in the Estimates of Expenditure for FY2025/2026 during the Committee of Supply. The reduction of Question Time to 30 minutes on Committee of Supply debate days and extensions of sitting times were noted as considerations in scheduling. Members were informed that sittings from March 3 to March 10 will start at 11:00 am. The Speaker emphasized the importance of sparingly using slides and videos to maintain the debate's integrity and impact.

• The Parliament session was officially adjourned as proposed by Ms. Indranee Rajah.
• The Speaker announced that the next sitting would commence at 11:00 am the following day.
• The session concluded at 6:58 pm.

• The Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah, requested to adjourn the debate.
• The Speaker granted consent for the debate to be adjourned.
• The debate is scheduled to be resumed the following day.
• Assoc Prof Jamus Lim was given the opportunity to make a personal explanation.

• The Parliament resolved to adjourn to Wednesday, 26 February 2025.
• The motion was presented by Ms. Indranee Rajah.
• The adjournment took place at 5:12 PM.

• The Leader of the House, Ms Indranee Rajah, tabled a paper titled "Statements made by Members to Parliament and its Committees."
• The Speaker confirmed that tabling the paper is allowed under Standing Order 31(2).
• Hard copies of the paper were distributed to Members of Parliament.
• The Speaker ensured that all Members received a copy before moving on to Question Time.

• The Parliament referred the conduct of Mr. Pritam Singh and Mr. Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap to the Public Prosecutor following a report from the Committee of Privileges.
• The Public Prosecutor decided not to charge Mr. Muhamad Faisal Bin Abdul Manap but issued an advisory for him to understand the expected conduct of MPs.
• Mr. Pritam Singh was charged with making false answers during the Committee's examination, resulting in a conviction and a maximum fine of $7,000 for each charge.
• Mr. Pritam Singh retains his seat in Parliament as the fines imposed do not meet the disqualification criteria outlined in the Constitution.

• Mr. Raj Joshua Thomas resigned from his seat in Parliament on 14 February 2025, making his position vacant from 11.47 am that day.
• Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi also resigned on 14 February 2025, with his seat becoming vacant at 12.00 noon.
• Both resignations were acknowledged in accordance with the Constitution's Article 46.

Parliament has resolved to adjourn today and will reconvene on 18 February 2025, as stated by Mr. Zaqy Mohamad.

The Deputy Leader of the House sought consent to exempt the time limit for Minister Indranee's speech regarding a discussion item. The Speaker granted consent, and hon Members present showed general assent for the motion. As a result, the time limit was officially removed for the Minister's speech on the discussed item.

The proceedings for the day's business on the Order Paper were proposed to be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 2. The resolution was presented by Mr. Zaqy Mohamad.