SINGAPORE: The opposition Workers' Party (WP) has reiterated its call to abolish the office of the Elected Presidency (EP), stating that concerns expressed by the Prime Minister about the office of the EP - such as the potential for political gridlock - is "the making of the Government itself".
In a media release, WP said it made a submission to the Constitutional Commission Secretariat on Monday (Mar 21). The panel has been appointed to study and make recommendations on aspects of the Elected Presidency such as the eligibility criteria and the framework governing custodial powers of the president.
WP listed four main objections to the EP. Firstly, it said it undermines parliamentary democracy. With powers provided under the Constitution, the EP could restrain the Government in matters which may be critical to the Government's effectiveness, the party said.
Secondly, the opposition party said an EP could potentially cripple a non-People's Action Party Government in its first term, as many persons who qualify to be an EP "are senior officials appointed under the PAP Government".
"Should the day come when a non-PAP government is elected and needs to replace some of the key appointment holders under Article 22 of the Constitution, the EP could block such appointments and cripple the new administration," WP said.
Thirdly, WP said the EP could become an "unnecessary alternative power centre" and cause gridlock as the Prime Minister may need to cower to the EP.
Lastly, WP said the elected Parliament is a sufficient safeguard on the country's reserves, adding that the EP is not the right mechanism to do so. "Instead, WP is open to the idea of enacting additional parliamentary mechanisms to safeguard the reserves," the party said.
WP also said the Government's suggestion of expanding the Council of Presidential Advisors' (CPA) powers could add additional gridlock between the EP and CPA, and that concerns over the lack of a President from a minority community would be abated if Singapore were to revert to its former system of appointed, ceremonial Presidents.
The party added that its position on the EP has remained the same since the 1980s.
