Ahead of new session, Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin calls on MPs not to make unfounded allegations in Parliament
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- 31 Mar 2023
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Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin called on MPs not to make unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations in Parliament, as Parliament goes into its mid-term break. PHOTO: GOV.SG
MPs should not make unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations in Parliament, such as may be seen in other countries, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin said on Friday. He also called for responses to be sharper in the new session of Parliament, which will reconvene on April 10 after its customary mid-term break starting on Friday.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times on his hopes for the upcoming session, he said that in other countries, politicians use the approach of making unfounded allegations because it works in affecting how the public feels. “The truth almost seems to not matter so much. And sadly, politicians get away with it. We ought to do better,” said Mr Tan, who has been Speaker since 2017.
“I expect MPs to continue to speak with passion, but I urge MPs to also listen carefully to the replies given, and then consider raising new points or moving to new topics, rather than just belabouring the same points ad nauseum.” The Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement on Friday that Parliament would be in recess from Friday and reconvene on April 10. The new session will kick off with an address by President Halimah Yacob, with ministries unveiling their plans, followed by a five-day debate in the House.
Mr Tan said: “I would also like to remind MPs not to equate quantity for quality. Some seem to take pride in showing off their ‘numbers’, and I find that trite as we would just end up with a numbers game.” Read More…
