Progress Singapore Party (PSP)’s Secretary General Dr Tan Cheng Bock called the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme a “ploy” to discourage voters from voting for opposition politicians, saying that he will not take up the post if it is offered to him.
While on a walkabout at Yio Chu Kang SMC with candidate Kayla Low on Thursday (2 July) at the Ang Mo Kio Market, Dr Tan said, “I know they (PAP) changed the rules and all the NCMPs actually behave like MPs in the House. But there’s one element missing – there’s no ground for him.”
“For us to be able to be a good opposition, we must always have some home or ground … I see this as a ploy … to entice you to all vote the PAP, because they guarantee you have 12 NCMPs.”
Under the NCMP scheme which has been in place for 36 years, the losing parties with the most number of votes are allowed a seat in Parliament as an NCMP. Currently, there are 12 NCMP seats. The Workers’ Party has also criticised the scheme several times, and Dr Tan says he agrees with the party’s view on the matter.
On Wednesday (1 July), WP candidate for Hougang SMC Dennis Tan—who is a former NCMP—described the seat as a “poisoned chalice”. He said that while it was a privilege for him to be in Parliament, the aim of the scheme must not be to make sure “no other party can lay roots into each constituency”.
Dr Tan, speaking to reporters on Thursday morning, stressed the importance of a member of parliament securing a majority mandate from the people. He said, “All must get elected …The argument now that you don’t have to elect a proper MP, there will be an NCMP – there’s a slight difference here.”
Dr Tan said that representing people on the ground will make one a “very different MP”.
“These are the people you really have to represent on the ground, that makes you a very different MP because you can feel the ground, you know the ground (and) the issues that are brought up. You can speak with strength,” he said.
“So I believe if ever my people get into Parliament, they should win the right to represent the people.”
The octogenarian went on to say that he will not take up the position as an NCMP if it is offered to him but he will not deny other members of the PSP if they wish to do so.
“I won’t take but if my men want to take I’ll let them take, because I have been to Parliament. I enjoyed Parliament being a proper elected MP. If the new ones feel that they want to have a feel of what Parliament is like, I won’t stop them,” said Dr Tan.
“I’m already 80 years old and I always say I want people to get into the House to really experience what it’s like in the House. All the questions being asked and the answers by the ministers … it’s an experience they must go through. I will leave it to them.”
Dr Tan, who was the Ayer Rajah MP for 26 years under the PAP and is now leading the PSP’s team to contest West Coast GRC, also highlighted the fact that he was not against the scheme when he was in the house.
“I opposed the Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) scheme very, very strongly and I stated my case in Parliament, objected to it and voted against it. That has been my stand,” he said. “For the NCMP (scheme), I’m not against it but that’s my own take. It’s not just being able to talk in Parliament but I always believe that you must have a base.”
