Parliament passes changes to elected presidency
By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
Parliament yesterday passed changes to the Constitution to raise the bar for presidential candidates and ensure all races are represented from time to time in the office.
It means Singapore's next president is likely to be Malay, as next year's election will be reserved for Malay candidates. The amendments also raise the maximum number of Non-Constituency MPs from nine to 12, and give them the same voting rights as elected MPs.
All 77 People's Action Party MPs present voted in favour of the changes, while all six elected Workers' Party MPs opposed them.
The Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed at the end of three full days of debate, during which 38 MPs spoke on the changes mooted.
Rounding up the debate, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said while the proposals were not perfect, they addressed present realities while encouraging Singapore towards multiracial representation in the presidency. WP's call for an appointed president and elected senate was not workable, he added.
"We are trying to improve our institutions and strengthen them for the Singapore of the future," he said. "It is part of the overall effort to build stabilisers in the system."
Changes to elected presidency arrived at after months of open dialogue
Care taken by Govt to improve, strengthen key institution for the future: DPM Teo
By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
The elected presidency is not a perfect system but the changes to it are the best way of safeguarding Singapore's assets, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
The Government had carefully considered the complex changes and settled on them after a thorough, consultative and open process, he added.
Mr Teo noted that the amendments were in line with the recommendations of an independent Constitutional Commission, and added that the entire review process lasted more than 10 months.
Such care was taken because the elected presidency is a key institution, he said yesterday when wrapping up the three days of debate on the constitutional changes to the elected presidency.
"We are trying to improve our institutions and strengthen them for the Singapore of the future.
"It is part of the overall effort to build stabilisers in the system so that, whether you're a town councillor or MP or president or the prime minister, you are governed by a set of laws and are held accountable."
He contrasted the thoroughness of the process to the way the Workers' Party (WP) "sprung upon members of the House" on the second day of debate, its proposal for a senate of eight elected members.
Mr Teo pointed out that the WP was invited to present its views publicly, and before the commission, but it chose not to do so.
Moreover, the details of its proposal are flawed, he added, saying he was dissatisfied with WP MPs' answers to issues like how gridlock in the senate would be resolved.
Said Mr Teo: "The Workers' Party has really not come up with a workable and better alternative to the system that we have and the improvements that we are proposing."
In all, 38 MPs took part in the debate, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Mr Teo, in his speech before Parliament approved the constitutional changes, also addressed three key concerns raised by MPs.
First, there may be tension between the president's role as a national unifier and his role as a custodian of Singapore's assets.
While acknowledging this potential tension, he said all of Singapore's elected presidents were able to perform the two roles with distinction.
"I believe that with wisdom among our voters, we should be able to elect good presidents and handle this well," he added.
Second, raising the eligibility criteria may limit the pool of candidates to certain groups.
Private-sector candidates must have helmed a company with $500 million in shareholder equity, a change from the old threshold of $100 million in paid-up capital.
Mr Teo said it would ensure a president has the requisite experience and ability to make large and complex financial decisions on an urgent basis. "There will continue to be qualified minority candidates, from both the public and private sectors," he added.
The exact number of such candidates is not available as firms do not make their officers' race public.
"But if we agree, as I think we do, that we must be uncompromising on the criteria and that we cannot lower the bar for any community, we should focus on growing the pool of eligible candidates," he said.
Other non-financial criteria such as integrity and good character are also crucial, but must be left to the judgment of voters, added Mr Teo.
Third, he assured MPs that the changes to the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) would not make it into "a third centre of power".
The CPA cannot veto the president's decision or what the Government proposes.
The changes mean the president must consult the CPA on all - as opposed to some - matters related to safeguarding Singapore's assets and appointing key public officers.
Lastly, Mr Teo observed that the change that ensures minority racial groups are periodically elected president drew some of the more passionate speeches, in support of greater multiracial understanding.
Singapore's multiracialism did not come about by chance, he said. The Government has actively intervened to grow the common space.
Similarly, reserving elections for ethnic groups from which there has not been a president for five consecutive terms addresses present realities, while having an eye on the long-term goal to be race-blind in such contests.
Said Mr Teo: "I want my children and my grandchildren and children of every community in Singapore to see in their lifetime the rich ethnic diversity that is Singapore reflected in the presidency.
"The changes that we are making to provide for ethnic representation will ensure they do so."
Workers' Party's senate idea flawed, unworkable: Shanmugam
By Chong Zi Liang, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
Law Minister K. Shanmugam yesterday called the Workers' Party (WP) proposal for an elected senate to safeguard the nation's reserves instead of an elected president "fundamentally flawed - in substance, and in terms of the process".
He rejected the substance of WP MPs' objections to an elected presidency. The WP had said the system was elitist, narrowed the field to a small pool of pro-establishment candidates, and could be politicised.
Instead, he said the WP's proposal to elect eight individuals to a senate would aggravate instead of ameliorate what it deems as problems in the elected presidency scheme.
Mr Shanmugam noted that WP MPs on Tuesday said that senators would need to have the same qualifications as an elected president.
"Instead of one elected president, we will have eight elected presidents. How does this deal with the objection of elitism?" he asked.
He also described as cynical the WP's view that "the whole exercise is to fix a non-People's Action Party (PAP) government", asking if its proposal would make this "eight times worse" as the senators would be drawn from the same pool.
Such a view also assumes the elected president would act in a dishonourable fashion to stymie a non-PAP government, a suggestion he called "unworthy" given the character of all the presidents who have held the custodial powers so far. He noted Ms Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) and Mr Pritam Singh (Aljunied GRC) made tributes to the late Mr S R Nathan after his death in August and said he served with distinction.
And having eight senators would build in politicisation throughout their term, as they would want to be re-elected and will have to constantly compete with each other, he said.
He asked: "Would this not considerably increase the risk of politicisation and gridlock, and a possible constitutional crisis?"
Mr Shanmugam also found the WP's process for its suggestion "deeply flawed", saying it was clear the proposal had not been thoroughly considered and did not stand up to scrutiny during the debate.
He cited questions WP MPs could not give clear answers on, such as whether senate candidates would campaign in teams or as individuals, how they would be selected, and how the senate would work.
"They are supposed to be independent. How do you form workable teams to compete against each other? Even worse, if the proposal is for them to run as independent, how can they work together as a team after that?" he asked.
When a scenario of a four-four split in a senate vote was raised, Mr Singh first said a casting vote could be used to break the deadlock, then later said there could be nine senators.
"It would have been comical, had we not been discussing such a serious matter," Mr Shanmugam said.
He also said the WP's proposal to select only 16 candidates for senate elections even if more qualified was an "extraordinary suggestion" that raises the issue of fairness.
On the eligibility criteria for senate candidates, Mr Shanmugam noted WP MPs seemed to suggest varying standards as their proposal was being questioned before settling on the same criteria as that of presidential candidates: "So this is clearly policy made on the fly in Parliament."
The WP was also not forthcoming about when the idea of the senate came about, he said.
"These are new ideas thought about in the last three months. Why not be just upfront and admit it?" he said, adding: "This proposal is like a home built with sand: One touch and it crumbles."
Mr Shanmugam noted the WP had on Tuesday mentioned its track record included running town councils. "If I were the WP, I would run away from talking about track records in town councils," he said.
He also took aim at Ms Lim's having said government leaders had been kept awake by the closely contested 2011 presidential election.
"Let me assure Ms Lim - ministers don't get sleepless nights, except when we are worried about Singapore and its future. The people who should be losing sleep are those who are accused of criminal impropriety," he said.
On risk of politicisation
The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
Several Workers' Party (WP) MPs questioned Law Minister K. Shanmugam after he spoke about flaws in the WP's proposal for a non-partisan elected senate that would have custodial powers, while the president is appointed by Parliament.
Here are edited excerpts of his exchange with Non-Constituency MP Leon Perera and Mr Faisal Manap (Aljunied GRC).
Mr Perera: (On) politicisation, how would we avoid the senate being politicised, and that has been bandied about a great deal... That same risk of politicisation is what the elected presidency is now vulnerable to. How do you manage that? No one from the other side of the House has given a definitive and convincing answer to this point.
Mr Shanmugam: As regards politicisation... we understand and accept that there is a risk. The Prime Minister talked about it, others have talked about it, there is a risk. We have always acknowledged the risk, we don't run away from the problem... Until and unless someone can suggest a better system, our assessment is: This is a risk worth taking and as our experience shows, if you elect good people, good presidents, the risk is well manageable.
Mr Faisal: Does the minister agree that the Constitutional Commission is taking a more prudent approach in dealing with the inherent tension by asking to do away with the elected presidency?
Mr Shanmugam: One doesn't have to characterise the Constitutional Commission's proposals. What I will say is, the Constitutional Commission gave many important recommendations which were directly relevant to the questions that were asked. In addition, it added an observation for the Government to consider if it wished and if it wanted to accept. That's what the commission said and I think we'll keep to the commission's words.
WP misunderstood role of Council of Presidential Advisers, says DPM Teo
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
A president who has to consult his council of advisers before exercising his veto on critical matters will be hamstrung in his role as a custodian, Workers' Party (WP) MP Png Eng Huat (Hougang) said.
Arguing against the changes to the elected presidency, he said the president would have to "share power" with an enlarged Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA) in the discharge of his custodial roles.
The changes require the president to consult the CPA on all fiscal matters relating to the reserves and key public service appointments. There will also be eight CPA members, up from the current six.
"The CPA, though only an appointed body, is bestowed with considerable powers to challenge and delay the decision of the president," said Mr Png, adding that a presidential veto does not carry weight unless it had the support of the CPA.
He also argued that the CPA, in its "enlarged" role, now functions like an "Upper House" of the legislature.
"The CPA has the power to turn the elected president into a lame duck institution over time if it chooses to disagree with the president each time he uses his veto. Check and balance under a political framework must be legitimised and mandated by the people," he said.
Replying, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said WP "fundamentally misunderstood" the CPA's role, and was misleading the House.
"It is not a third centre of power. It is unable to single-handedly block a government proposal. The CPA's role has been the same for the past 25 years, and remains unchanged under the Bill," he said.
The changes "merely adopt a uniform approach to the president's obligation to consult the CPA on financial and appointment-related matters, as well as extend the overruling mechanism to these areas".
The WP had on Tuesday called for a return to an appointed presidency, with the custodial functions of the president vested instead in an elected senate.
The party also asked for a referendum so people could vote for the system they wanted.
Yesterday, WP Non-Constituency MP Leon Perera also questioned why an unelected CPA was vested with so much power. "This creates a president supposed to be a checker who is prone to be checkmated by an unelected council," he said.
DPM Teo said in situations where the president has vetoed a proposal the CPA agrees with, its views only serve to "moderate the weight" of the president's veto.
Parliament would have to relook the proposal, which can only be passed with a two-thirds majority.
"Ultimately... it is always an elected institution - the Parliament or the elected president that makes the decision," said DPM Teo.
RACIAL HARMONY NOT LEFT TO CHANCE
Singapore has made significant progress in building a multiracial society. We are in a better situation than most countries and managed to avoid the toxic racial debates and tensions that we see elsewhere, precisely because the Government has always taken an honest, pre-emptive, open and active approach to fostering multiculturalism. We did not leave this to chance.
Contrast this with the approach that France has taken. In principle, the French espouse a colour-blind approach to race relations.
But in effect, it has masked the stark differences in socioeconomic opportunities and outcomes between the races, which have led to racial tension and strife.
Senior French officials, scholars and those doing community work acknowledge that there are deep fissures in their society (and) are trying to grapple with it.
But they run up against their long-held belief that the issue of race would go away if one simply does not acknowledge race and racial differences. But the issue has not gone away. Racial differences have become worse over time.
- DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER TEO CHEE HEAN, on how Singapore's active racial integration policies have helped build multiracialism.
Changes help build inclusive society, says Masagos
They add to Singapore's multiracial compact built on policies as well as communities' efforts, he says
By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
Constitutional changes to ensure all races are represented in the elected presidency are a continuation of policies Singapore has introduced over the years to build an inclusive, multiracial society, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli told the House.
He said yesterday Singapore's multiracial compact has been built on three pillars: policies aimed at inclusiveness; proactive efforts by minority communities to integrate; and a majority that embraces its minorities.
"These pillars need to be continually tended to, strengthened or modified while keeping an eye on achieving the objectives of a workable and peaceful multiracial and multi-religious society," he added.
Speaking a day after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said next year's presidential election would be reserved for Malay candidates, he said inclusive policies have "built a sense of equity within the community and political system".
These policies include:
• Article 152(1) of the Constitution, which states: "It shall be the responsibility of the Government constantly to care for the interests of the racial and religious minorities in Singapore."
• The Presidential Council for Minority Rights to examine all legislation and ensure minorities are not disadvantaged.
• The Group Representation Constituency scheme to ensure MPs from minority communities.
• The Ethnic Integration Policy to ensure a balanced racial mix in HDB estates, and has promoted integration and harmony: "It's how many of us grew up: smelling and learning to love each other's ethnic cooking; going to school together; visiting each other's homes during festivals; familiarising ourselves with significant occasions at our void decks."
The changes to the elected presidency, Mr Masagos said, are another move in the same vein to build an inclusive, multiracial society.
He noted that ideally, since the elected presidency was enacted, each ethnic group should have been represented and elected.
But this has, unfortunately, not come to pass, he said, citing survey results and examples from elsewhere to show voters are not ready to set aside race in elections. If no adjustments are made, the elected president is likely to come from the majority race for a long time.
He said the Malay community has expressed support for the provision at town hall dialogues.
"Every time presidential candidates are announced, I would be accosted by them with remarks of disappointment because a Malay candidate is not contesting," he said.
And though such comments die down eventually, that is not always the case when racial sentiments are brought to the fore, he noted.
"Seemingly small things can and do snowball too, especially when they cut into primordial instincts about race and religion over time." he said. This is why it is a good time to address the "seemingly small" issue of minority representation in the presidency lest "it accumulates over time and snowballs with other issues into an avalanche".
Policies alone are not enough.
Both minority and majority communities have crucial roles to play to forge trust too, he added. While minorities seek to find ways to integrate - sometimes making sacrifices - the majority has a role to play in helping them feel they belong.
He cited how some minorities abroad turn to violence, quoting a US official who noted Islamic State in Iraq and Syria militants "came from everywhere because they belong to nowhere". Singapore is not immune to such developments given the long shadow of terrorism.
"We need this sense of belonging and an inclusive society to be pervasive even while the Muslim communities fortify their strength within to repel this threat," he said.
"It is this sense of belonging that motivates Muslim leaders in Singapore to stand ready to come forward to defuse conflicts, and not exploit them nor goad the community to extremism or terrorism."
This sense of belonging has seen the community respond strongly to reject extremism, he added.
MALAY MPs WELCOME CHANGES
"This discussion on minority representation in the elected presidency has created an openness to talk about what used to be perceived as a sensitive topic like race. It made us a bit uncomfortable to think about the current state of affairs, but it has pushed us to think about issues a little bit more... We should ride this wave and must be open to engage in these discussions."
- MS RAHAYU MAHZAM (JURONG GRC), on keeping the discussion on race going.
"Over time, these changes could be seen as a call to action within Singapore and within the ethnic communities to groom individuals from the minority races (for) influential positions. This should ensure that, over the years, we build up a wide talent pool of (minorities) reaping the experiences needed to meet the future pre-requisites of a multiracial elected presidency."
- MR SAKTIANDI SUPAAT (BISHAN-TOA PAYOH GRC), on how the changes can encourage minority communities to groom talent.
"The proposal for an elected presidency has given us a platform to reflect on our journey together, as a society and as a Malay/Muslim community... The Government has shown concern for the feelings of our minorities. This is crucial in a plural society."
- DR FATIMAH LATEEF (MARINE PARADE GRC), on the implications of the amendments.
"Let us prove to our fellow countrymen that the Malays are capable, and have candidates that are as qualified as the other communities... Do not hesitate. Put yourself forward if you are capable. Turn yourself into someone who will be the pride of our community. Prove that our community has progressed and is able to come up with an excellent candidate."
- NOMINATED MP AZMOON AHMAD, calling for eligible Malay candidates to step up for presidential elections.
Only 1 NCMP has ever become MP: Leon Perera
By Pearl Lee, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
Almost every opposition party candidate who became a Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) has gone on to lose at the next general election they contested in.
Workers' Party (WP) MP Sylvia Lim (Aljunied GRC) is the only one who has ever bucked this trend.
NCMP Leon Perera cited this yesterday as he argued against the move to raise the minimum number of opposition MPs, including NCMPs, in the House. He said it would benefit only the People's Action Party (PAP).
But Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the NCMP scheme ensures there will always be opposition voices in Parliament, which ultimately benefits Singaporeans.
The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2016, passed yesterday, will raise the minimum number of opposition MPs, including NCMPs, from nine to 12, and will also give NCMPs full voting rights. All six WP MPs voted against the Bill.
NCMP seats are offered to the best performing losing opposition candidates when the number of elected opposition MPs falls short of the minimum.
Mr Perera questioned the motives behind the scheme, reiterating the WP's long-held stance that it dissuades people from voting for the opposition, and goes against the principle that only elected lawmakers have a mandate to represent the people.
He warned that if the scheme was "fully exploited by the ruling party and fully embraced by voters in the way that the PAP hopes", Parliament may end up with 12 "unelectable opposition MPs".
This would allow the ruling party to do whatever it wished, he said. "It can force Singapore into a never-ending dependence on only one party for generations to come, like a computer with no backup.
Mr Teo countered that the fact that the WP had taken up the full quota of NCMP seats it was offered shows the scheme has merits.
"This shows that being an NCMP offers advantages, not least of which are public exposure and parliamentary experience. Ms Sylvia Lim herself has been a beneficiary of this," he said, rounding up the debate on the Bill.
To this, Mr Perera had said earlier that he had taken up the NCMP seat, despite his objections to the scheme, because "being in Parliament and arguing for what I believe is right outweigh the risk of damage to our politics from accepting the NCMP position".
In his speech, Mr Teo also acknowledged that the scheme had benefited the PAP, but not in the way Mr Perera suggested.
Instead, it gives PAP MPs the experience of sparring with opposition members in the House, and not just during election season, he said.
It also allows the Government to engage the opposition and scrutinise their proposals, he said, adding that opposition politicians would otherwise behave like "phantoms in the night' that turn up only at general elections, make claims, not engage, and then disappear again".
"Ultimately, Singapore and Singaporeans will benefit from such debate and the diversity of views."
MP Joan Pereira suggests reserving election for Eurasians
By Toh Yong Chuan, Manpower Correspondent, The Straits Times, 10 Nov 2016
Eurasians ought to be considered as a separate racial group for the purpose of the elected presidency moving forward, so that elections can be reserved for the community if there has not been a Eurasian president for a period of time, said Ms Joan Pereira (Tanjong Pagar GRC) in Parliament yesterday.
"I strongly believe that we Eurasians, being culturally distinct as Asians with European ancestry and heritage, have a unique perspective to contribute to the office of the elected presidency," she added.
Currently, Eurasians are considered part of the "Indians and other minorities" group. This means that in a reserved election for the group, Eurasians, Indians or other eligible minorities can take part.
The first-term Eurasian MP said that even though Eurasians have been categorised as "others", she had never felt excluded nor discriminated against.
Rather, she felt that "by bringing something different to the table, we can help enrich the office of the elected presidency".
"As the embodiment of East-West unions, we are also living testimonies of inter-racial, cultural and religious harmony and unity," she said.
She also suggested that the Council of Presidential Advisers should include at least a member of each major racial group and at least one woman, adding this will provide a diversity of perspectives.
Supporting the provision to ensure minority representation, she said: "The importance of symbolism... is worth upholding."
Mr Darryl David (Ang Mo Kio GRC),also speaking about the president's symbolism, said it is undesirable for a particular ethnic group to go for years without a president.
He added that reserved elections do not compromise the values of equality and meritocracy, but are an acknowledgement that the "core Singapore values" of multiracialism and meritocracy can co-exist.
Responding to the suggestion of pulling Eurasians out of the "Indian and others" group, as well as to a query by Dr Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade GRC) on how individuals of mixed heritage would be classified, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the classifications would follow the mechanics of the group representation constituency system.
"The framework has worked well," he said. "Any person who does not fall within one of the three racial groupings may still contest in open elections," he said.
Debate Day 2
Singapore's next president set to be Malay
PM says 2017 polls will be reserved for Malay candidates to ensure presidency is multiracial
By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2016
Next year's presidential election will be reserved for candidates from the Malay community, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in Parliament yesterday.
The move would pave the way for Singapore to have its first Malay president in over 46 years, since the country's first president, Mr Yusof Ishak, died in office in 1970.
Following the statement, President Tony Tan Keng Yam posted on Facebook that he "will not be standing in the next presidential election" as it would be for Malays.
"I look forward to seeing a Malay president after 46 years," he added.
PM Lee, speaking on the second day of the debate on proposed changes to the elected presidency, made clear for the first time the Government's intention to trigger the proposed mechanism for reserved election in the next polls.
He also explained to the House the finer details and broad reasoning behind the decision for the timing, and said that race and religion are very deep-seated realities here.
"Even though the minority communities have not pressed for it in Singapore, we should make arrangements now to ensure the presidency will be multiracial," he said.
He gave two reasons.
One, he is very familiar with the office, having helped to conceive, implement and refine it over three decades.
"I am doing it now, because it would be irresponsible of me to kick this can down the road and leave the problem to my successors," he said.
Two, he wants to adjust the office before any problems show up, so that it can continue to function well.
PM Lee made two key arguments for his vision of the office.
It is an important stabiliser in Singapore's political system, acting as a safeguard against profligate spending and upholding the integrity of the civil service. Hence, the president must be elected.
Further, there is a fundamental need for the presidency to be multiracial, as the president is the most important unifying symbol for the nation.
"Every citizen, Chinese, Malay, Indian, or some other race, should know that someone of his community can become president, and in fact from time to time, does become president," he said.
Under the proposed constitutional changes, an election will be reserved for a particular racial group if no one from that group has been president for five terms in a row.
So, in the course of six presidential terms, there should be at least one Chinese, one Malay, plus one president from the Indian and other minority communities.
Candidates in the reserved elections will meet the same criteria as those running in open elections.
PM Lee said the Constitutional Amendment Bill stated the Government should legislate when the practice will begin, and it has received advice from the Attorney-General.
It will begin counting the five continuous terms from that of President Wee Kim Wee, the first president vested with the powers of the elected president. He was in office when the elected presidency came into effect in 1991. Since then, there have been five terms: that of Mr Wee, Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Mr S R Nathan who served two terms, and the current term of Dr Tan.
In all, 17 MPs including PM Lee debated the changes yesterday, with the Workers' Party making its first public statements since the proposals were mooted in January.
Its MPs reiterated the party's position for a president appointed by Parliament, with a ceremonial role.
They also called for a senate to be formed, made up of non-partisan, elected members. This second chamber of the legislature would be the custodian of Singapore's assets.
PM Lee said in his speech that doing away with the custodial powers and elected office would be very unwise as it would give Parliament unrestricted power to do as it pleases.
Association of Muslim Professionals vice-chairman Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 35, noting the new system guarantees that a Singaporean growing up would probably see elected presidents of different races, said: "That is a strong visual for racial diversity in his formative years."
The debate continues today.
House debates WP call for senate and referendum
By Danson Cheong, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2016
The House saw a spirited debate yesterday after the Workers' Party (WP) proposed a popularly elected senate and called for a referendum on its ideas. Its first major statement on changes to the elected presidency being debated in Parliament came under fire from no less than a dozen People's Action Party MPs.
The WP, which has opposed the elected presidency since it was introduced 25 years ago, wants a return to the old system in which Parliament appoints the president.
The president's current custodial powers over the national reserves and key public sector appointments would instead be vested in an eight-member senate, said WP chairman Sylvia Lim.
Minister of State for Communications and Information, and Education Janil Puthucheary gave the most forceful rebuttal at the end of the sitting:
"They did not submit this proposal to the Constitutional Commission, they did not submit it for public scrutiny or public debate. At the last minute, when the vote is tomorrow on this motion before us, we hear of this extraordinarily radical proposal to take apart our president, make it symbolic and elect another eight people who are effectively the custodial presidents."
PM: Keeping presidency multiracial key aim of reforms
If the president always comes from same race, the very multiracial character of nation will come under question
By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 9 Nov 2016
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that among all the proposed changes to the elected presidency, the one the Government thought hardest about, and where the most is at stake, is the issue of ensuring multiracial representation in the highest office of the land.
Mr Lee disclosed this in Parliament yesterday when he sought to drive home the importance of the provision to reserve elections for certain races from time to time.
He said: "Whether to ensure that people from different races can and do indeed become president is the most difficult question, because it goes right to the core of our fundamental belief in a multiracial society."
The president, who is the symbol of the nation, represents all Singaporeans. Hence, the office must be multiracial.
"If the president... always comes from the same race, not only will he cease to be a credible symbol of our nation, but the very multiracial character of the nation will come under question," Mr Lee said.
Race is a live issue for Singapore because it is a small, open and multiracial country, he added.
Mr Lee also said that racial harmony in Singapore can be affected by developments in other countries.