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Ginchiyo Tachibana
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Apr 24, 2010
Debate on political changes
<!-- by line --> By Jeremy Au Yong
MEMBERS of Parliament are in two minds over the proposed move to have more alternative voices in Parliament. While they welcome it, they wonder if it could turn out to be a case of quantity over quality. The proposed changes, up for debate on Monday, include increasing the minimum number of Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) from three to nine, and entrenching the Nominated MP (NMP) scheme.
NCMPs are the best performers among opposition candidates who lose at the polls; while NMPs, who are not elected, provide alternative, non-partisan views. The two proposals ensure that each Parliament would have at least 18 members who are not from the ruling party. But People's Action Party (PAP) MP Zaqy Mohamad (Hong Kah GRC), is concerned as more voices do not necessarily result in more constructive debate.
Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
