Monday 6 July 2009

NMP results are out

I received a notice from Parliament a couple of hours ago -- it was the Second Report of the Special Select Committee on Nominations for Appointment as Nominated Members of Parliament, which I've reproduced below. In short, I was not re-appointed, and the new NMPs (who will be sworn in on 20 July) are:

  1. Mr Calvin Cheng Ern Lee
  2. Mr Terry Lee Kok Hua
  3. Mrs Mildred Tan-Sim Beng Mei
  4. Assoc Prof Paulin Tay Straughan
  5. Mr Teo Siong Seng
  6. Mr Viswaroopan s/o Sadasivan
  7. Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong
  8. Ms Audrey Wong Wai Yen
  9. Ms Joscelin Yeo Wei Ling

I am of course disappointed that I was not re-appointed; I felt and continue to feel that I could contribute meaningfully to Parliament for a second term, which is why I applied for it in the first place. Having said that, I am glad that I had the opportunity to serve, and I hope that I had contributed to Parliamentary debate (as the NMP scheme was intended to). Beyond that, it is really for Singaporeans to judge my time in Parliament for themselves.

I do want to make one point. There have been some who have said that I misconducted myself as an NMP during the AWARE episode, and/or that my involvement in AWARE was unwise. I am sure that they will say that again, now that the results of the NMP process are out.

I have said this before, and I will repeat it here: my involvement in AWARE was in my personal capacity and not as an NMP, and in any case I do not think that I did anything wrong, improper or inappropriate at all. Presumably, those who feel that I was unwise, thought so because of the adverse impact that my public involvement in AWARE would have on my chances for re-appointment.

Well, I would like to think that if I had not been re-appointed because of the AWARE incident, and I had known that things would turn out this way, I would still not have done anything differently.

From day one, I've promised myself that I would not say or do anything, or refrain from saying or doing anything, simply because it would or might affect my chances of a second term as an NMP if I wanted to re-apply. I felt that that would have defeated the purpose of being an NMP. I wanted to be true to myself, and I did not want to pull any punches. So just as I did not allow the possibility of offending the Government stop me from asking tough questions and making difficult points, I also did not allow the possibility of adverse publicity stop me from my involvement in civil society causes and organisations that I believed in.

So my answer to these folks who thought I was unwise, is that perhaps it reflects more on you and your readiness to compromise, than it does on me and my naivete. It is not that I did not think of the possible consequences of my actions; I was fully aware, and I consciously chose to do what I believed -- and continue to believe -- was the right thing.

Finally, I would like to wish the new NMPs all the best in their term, and hopefully they will enjoy their time in Parliament as much as I did!

SECOND REPORT OF THE SPECIAL SELECT COMMITTEE
ON NOMINATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT
AS NOMINATED MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT


The Special Select Committee, appointed pursuant to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore to nominate persons for appointment by the President as nominated Members of Parliament, has agreed to the following Report:

Introduction

1 On 14 November 2006, Parliament resolved in accordance with the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore that there shall be nominated Members of Parliament during the term of the Eleventh Parliament. On 18 January 2007, the President, on the nomination of the Special Select Committee of Parliament, appointed nine persons as nominated Members of Parliament for a term of two and a half years. The term of service of the nine nominated Members of Parliament will expire on 17 July 2009 and, under section 4(1) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, the vacancies that will arise shall be filled by the President by making appointments on the nomination of the Special Select Committee.

2 The Members of the Special Select Committee were nominated by the Committee of Selection, with Speaker as ex-officio Chairman. The Committee comprised the following:

Chairman: Mr Abdullah Tarmugi (Speaker)

Members:
Mrs Lim Hwee Hua
Mr Low Thia Khiang
Mr Mah Bow Tan
Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM
Mr Michael Palmer
Mr Sam Tan Chin Siong
Mrs Josephine Teo

Invitation to the General Public to Submit Names of Persons for Consideration by the Committee

3 Under sections 2(1) and 2(2) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, the Special Select Committee decided that an advertisement inviting the general public to submit names of persons for consideration by the Committee be inserted in the Lianhe Zaobao, Berita Harian, Tamil Murasu and The Straits Times on 6 April 2009. Publicity to the information was also given in a press release.

4 Submission of names was required to be made on forms obtainable at the office of the Clerk of Parliament. Each form had to be signed by a proposer and a seconder and by not less than four other persons, all of whose names shall appear in a current register of electors. The person to be proposed was also required to complete a curriculum vitae form in which, inter alia, he was required to write an essay on the kind of contribution he hoped to make as a nominated Member of Parliament and to submit written references from two referees sealed in separate envelopes to the Committee. The closing date for the submission of names was 11 May 2009.

Formation of Functional Groups

5 The Committee decided that it would continue the practice of inviting the six functional groups, namely, business and industry, labour, the professions, tertiary education institutions, social and community service organisations, and media, arts and sports organisations, to submit names of suitable candidates for the Special Select Committee to consider.

6 The names of the coordinators appointed by Mr Speaker for each functional group and an invitation to organisations identifying themselves with any of the functional groups to contact the coordinators to propose their nominees were publicised by the Committee in a press release issued on 5 April 2009.

Consideration of Persons Proposed

7 By the closing date, the Committee received a total of 46 proposal forms (including those from the functional groups) of which 3 did not satisfy the eligibility criteria.

8 Section 2(3) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution provides that, before making any nomination for appointment by the President as nominated Member of Parliament, “the Special Select Committee shall, wherever possible, consult other Members of Parliament in such manner as it thinks fit”.

9 On the advice of the Committee, the Speaker wrote to all the elected Members of Parliament on 19 May 2009, informing them of the names of the persons proposed for consideration as nominated Members of Parliament and asking the Members of Parliament if they had any comments on these persons and if they knew of any reason why any of them should not be considered for appointment as nominated Members of Parliament.

10 The Committee assessed the suitability of all the 43 eligible candidates. In assessing their suitability for appointment as nominated Members of Parliament, the Committee took into account the criteria set out in section 3(2) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution which provides that the persons to be nominated by the Special Select Committee “shall be persons who have rendered distinguished public service, or who have brought honour to the Republic, or who have distinguished themselves in the field of arts and letters, culture, the sciences, business, industry, the professions, social or community service or the labour movement; and in making any nomination, the Special Select Committee shall have regard to the need for nominated Members to reflect as wide a range of independent and non-partisan views as possible”.

Nominations of the Committee

11 The Committee found many of the candidates to be well qualified to be appointed as nominated Members of Parliament. However, as stipulated under section 3(1) of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, not more than nine nominated Members of Parliament can be appointed. The Committee has therefore nominated the following nine persons to the President for appointment as nominated Members of Parliament:

  1. Mr Calvin Cheng Ern Lee
  2. Mr Terry Lee Kok Hua
  3. Mrs Mildred Tan-Sim Beng Mei
  4. Assoc Prof Paulin Tay Straughan
  5. Mr Teo Siong Seng
  6. Mr Viswaroopan s/o Sadasivan
  7. Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong
  8. Ms Audrey Wong Wai Yen
  9. Ms Joscelin Yeo Wei Ling

73 comments:

Harish said...

Kum Hong - I am sure that there will be those who, like you say, blame the AWARE deal. But, you know what, those same people would not have lifted a single finger to help.

As stated in my SMS to you, I did apply for consideration as an NMP, but never got an invitation to the "interview". Which is just fine. I thought I should put myself up, but even though, like you, I am disappointed in not getting a chance at all, I have no regrets.

This country of mine is important for me to find ways to make better. I have to work on the Freedom of Information as well as in election reform (removal of walkovers).

Let's meet for lunch soon.

Thanks for all the work you were able to do in the parliament.

Harish

Pkchukiss said...

Mr Siew,

Thank you for speaking up on the issues that Singapore has always been afraid to confront. Equality has always been a hard goal to achieve because of certain lobby groups, yet you have not bowed to them under their pressure.

Neither did you stop giving your honest opinions on issues, even though it might have rubbed certain powerful groups the wrong way. You are the very model figure of an MP that Singapore wants and needs.

It is unfortunate that you were not re-invited back to continue your good work in Parliament. However, I still hope that you continue blogging on the issues that you hold dear to your heart: you continue to be my inspiration and source of hope that one day, Singapore will become a nation where every member of its society can remain free from the oppression of other groups

Rock on!

LH said...

Thanks for your contribution to Singapore Mr Siew, I may not have agreed with everything you said, but I respect your passion for the plight of your countrymen.

Turnover in NMP representation is healthy in any case, while I'll continue reading your blog for the same insights you brought to us in parliament. My regards on behalf of all reasoning Singaporeans.

sunny flowery said...

Hope you can still continue to blog and speak for us. Thank you SKH.

Plee said...

Kum Hong,
No big deal you were not re-appointed NMP.
Join a creditable opposition party
and you will be voted in as a real
MP. We will support you.

leesjuanpat

daft.punk said...

Thank you, pls continue your work.
Perhaps you can run in a single ward next time :)

- Dr M Tan

Kevin FM Lim said...

Mr Siew,
Just want to say you did a great job as an NMP. All the best for the future.

Kevin Lim

Talljoanne said...

Hi Mr Siew,

I have been following your work as an NMP. Thank you for having the hope and courage to speak out even though you know it might not change things.

Unknown said...

Just a quick question: if you had known you weren't going to be re-appointed anyway, would you have chosen to go to the Pink Dot event at Hong Lim?

-oo- said...

Hi Mr Siew, would just like to say that I greatly respect and admire what you've done in Parliament so far, and am really disappointed to see that you're not renominated!

Please do run as an indepedent for an SMC ward, and contribute again. Hopefully I can vote by then! (I'm a student =/)

Unknown said...

Congratulations on a fruitful, intelligent 2.5 years as NMP.

harmindersingh said...

Thanks very much for contributing your time to many of us in Singapore who've never had the chance to vote ;-). Even though you didn't get re-appointed, I hope you'll still be an active participant in Singapore's civil society. You're an inspiration in balancing career, family and politics!

About Pret-A-Partay said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ganga said...


Not really a bad idea to contest in the next elections, I would think. There's a very good possibility that you'll get a strong mandate from the folks on the ground.

In any case, thank you for being a (much needed) voice in parliament these 2.5 years.

Take care and god bless!

Unknown said...

Hi Mr Siew,

thank you for serving your term as an NMP. You were one of those I admire and respect tremendously.

About Pret-A-Partay said...

Kum Hong,

Thank you for your good and hard work. Thank you for being an inspiration and for standing up for your beliefs.

Keep that passion alive!

Jeanne C.

Simin said...

Hi Mr Siew,

I watched your parliamentary debates during politics class, and all of us loved them.
Never give up fighting for Singaporeans alright,
because there are people out there who respect and admire you a lot. :)

Thank you for helping us voice out what we always have to say, but did not have the courage or opportunity to. We really appreciate it.

DK said...

It's sad to hear that you aren't reappointed as NMP. In the end, we Singaporean are the biggest losers because we lost a strong alternative voice in the parliament.

Thank you for your contribution as NMP. We will miss seeing you on the news debating issues that are close to our heart.

Hope you will contest in the next elections, regardless with the ruling party or a reputable opposition party. You have our support, always.

spiegel said...

Hi Mr Siew,

I am disappointed that you are not reappointed, and do believe that you are doing a good job in the position of NMP.

Your participation in the AWARE saga is laudable, and perhaps influential in effecting the outcome that so many wished to see.

However, I would like to point out that, while I don't think you have done anything wrong per se, you shouldn't use the "personal capacity" defence. It doesn't matter whether you did it in your personal capacity as a common citizen or not. The public perception of your actions is still framed by the knowledge that you are an NMP. Whether this is unfair or not, it is debatable, but the fact remains that you cannot shirk off this title whenever it suits you - simply because the public will not buy into that.

Having been a keen observer of student politics in my university (in London), the "personal capacity" defence is unfortunately familiar to me. Several elected student officials have done various "controversial" things like actively protest for specific causes, which may not reflect the general attitudes of the student body. They claim that they can do it in their personal capacity, and hence not compromise their ability to campaign and represent student interests. However, as you might see, if you are say a student with ambitions to work in the energy sector, and your elected official goes out on a limb and disrupts a lecture of a prominent businessman who heads an environmentally-unfriendly energy firm (on a personal capacity), you could be forgiven for having less than full confidence in that official being able to represent your interests.

Even though you are an NMP - not therefore directly accountable to the public through the electoral process - I would imagine that you would also need to live up to the same expectations that elected MPs are held up to.

Having said all this, I'm not opposed to what you did as an NMP. I in fact admire your attitude in doing what you think is right for the people, even if it might cost you a second term. The same certainly cannot be said of many public officials, elected or not. Nonetheless, I do think you might want to consider the idea of doing things in a "personal capacity" more carefully. In my humble opinion, I think that public officials in taking up their offices surrender their right to do public things in personal capacities.

Regards,
Spiegel

C said...

Mr Siew,

I'd happily vote for you if you run as an independent in the next election.
Please consider that.

TPG-iTec said...

To Spiegel: Thanks for your kind words.

You make a good point re "acting in a personal capacity". And I admit that it is an abstract distinction that is open to abuse.

However, I do not agree that "public officials in taking up their offices [necessarily] surrender their right to do public things in personal capacities". For instance, an MP who also heads up an NGO will act in the public sphere in at least those two capacities, switching hats as appropriate; that being the case, if he/she can have those two capacities, why should he/she not also have a personal capacity?

Your point goes to abuse of the personal capacity point, but does not necessarily invalidate its existence.

In my case, I only state that as such. I do accept the reality that people will not make that distinction.

To everyone else: you're too kind :)

Anonymous said...

Dear Mr Siew,

I think what you did during your term has been courageous. I was hoping that you would be reappointed, but since that is not to be, no big deal. You've already done more than any of us would have expected of you. Your decision to even present the petition on the repeal and debate it even though the issue does not concern you was courageous. And having to face the brunt of anger and pure meanness from a segment of the population was asking too much of you. Thank you for making the most of your 2 and half years.

Netina said...

It is no surprise that you're not re-appointed as a NMP. Consider the profiles of members in the PAP dominated selection committee. Also, as we know, the PAP eschews from competitive or liberal-styled combative debates in parliament.

You've done well in parliament - raising important issues and going beyond your duty as a NMP to collect data (e.g. in the call for by-election issue) to support your bill.

Looking at the new slate of NMPs, I wonder whether anyone will have the equivalent capacity and passion to do likewise.

Your contribution to Singapore politics need not be limited to the NMP position. Hopefully, you can find a viable political platform to further build your support base, in time for the next GE.

All the best, Siew Kum Hong. I look forward to more great work from you!

Donaldson Tan said...

I look forward to you joining an opposition political party to continue championing the interest of the People.

Chee Wai Lee said...

Mr. Siew,

The ostrich buries its head deeper into the sand ... if I had any complaints about your performance in parliament, it is that you are sometimes (not often, just sometimes :) ) far too kind with your words.

Perhaps the governing party has now decided it is more ready to deal with a more confrontational group of 9 NCMPs than to listen to the constructive criticism from a single well-meaning NMP (well, I should not unfairly smear the future NCMPs with the "not well-meaning" tag but I do expect them to be far more confrontational).

If I may ask, what are your plans? I believe you are not interested in politics per se, but have a desire for activism of some form. Any particular causes you wish to fight for as a citizen?

Thanks again for being there over the last term and helping to illuminate many of the issues facing the country to people willing to listen!

Sincerely,
Chee Wai

Unknown said...

Mr Siew,
Thanks for voicing our view in the parliament all these years ...

Mr Ron Tan said...

Dear Kum Hong

I just want to say THANK YOU for representing the voice of the people who believed in rational speech and thought.

You were the voice who represented the minorities.

You were the voice for those who believed strongly in equality, justice and freedom.

You were the voice for those who will never compromise on anti-discriminatory laws, policies, values and beliefs.

Above all, you had the courage to ask questions. This is a trait that many NMPs (or even MPs) have yet to emulate.

You have set a precedent and the new NMPs will have large shoes to fill.

I wish you well.

Sincerely,
Ron

Hermit said...

Kum Hong,

I know we did not agree in the past. However, I feel that you are being too hard on yourself.

You have contributed much in many areas during your term. Why attribute it to AWARE?

Anyway, I wish you the best. No hard feelings between us.

PS - I have said this before and I will say it again. I respect you that you don't censor posts, unlike other sites that call for freedom of expression, yet censor.

Sun Koh said...

Mr Siew, you have been the best MP we've ever had. Let's hope more than one new NMP take a leaf from your book of principals. If the saying is true, that'll we'll never get to Narnia the same way twice, would you consider running for single ward?

0ne said...

Good job in your contributions to Singapore society! You are a 大侠!

Superbug1303 said...

Although many of us may not visit your blog and come out and say it, if you joined the opposition and stood in a single ward, I'm sure many of us who could, WOULD vote for you. I think we are all waiting for a credible and trustworthy opposition. One of speaks with sense and reason, rather than rhetoric of the past.

Tessa Wong said...

Hello Mr Siew,

If I may add my two cents worth: Citizens support politicians based on who they are, not just on their political work. You cannot halve the two and ask us to consider one not the other.

What is a politician? My view is that a huge part of that identity is reputation, and a reputation is not built just on the actual work but also on who the man really is, and his character. Therefore a politician is a sum of all his parts, both political work and what he does in his free time, especially if the latter contributes to civil society (which itself is political). So yes an MP can wear a different hat when heading an NGO but I would still judge him for what he does with that NGO.

You chose to carry out your principles and beliefs in your personal capacity, and that informs people greatly of who you are as a person - and I think that formed the basis of support from many people.

Good luck and I hope to see you continue contributing to society!

Tessa Wong

family man said...

Thank you Sir.

Best regards,

sgquek said...

Dear Mr Siew,

This NMP scheme is not an representative of alternative view!
Just an Bull Shit!
It is out of the Principle of Truth!

Thou shall not fear for the greatest fear is fear itself!

Don't be dissapointed, it is just an stepping stone for an greater tommorrow!

TrueBlood Singapoean

Unknown said...

Hi Mr Siew,

It is pretty unfortunate that your request for renomination as NMP has fail. This incident just shows the silly and sad state of affair this country is in.

Mr Siew, I am glad you have no regrets in all the things that you have done. I hope more Singaporeans like you can stand up and fight for the people... though I am really pessimistic about such a scenario happening.

Lastly, I wish you the best in all your future endeavours.

Sylvester Lim said...

Thank you for your work and contribution to civil society. You have tried to work within the system and now know that it is impossible to change it without the PAP losing more seats in the parliment. Only then, can we remove the gerrymandering such as GRC, NMPs and NCMPs and have a true democractic system. Singapore can then really progress to new heights.

ekran0plan said...

Mr Siew,

It is truly a pity then you could not serve for another term.
I strongly feel we will be missing a much needed voice that you have provided in your time.

Thank you very much for all that you have done.

Regards
Mervyn


To Tessa Wong:

I politely decline to be part of that generalization.
And I do think there are others like me who are able to seperate the two.

mphuah said...

Dear Kum Hong,
It is with a heavy heart we read that you have not been reaapointed as NMP. It's their loss.
Know that there are many, many of us in the silent majority who support you, what you have done, and what you stand for as a person with substance, dignity and courage. Keep going!
All the best in your next endeavour.
Millie

rhea said...

I don't always agree with what you say, but I respect you for the fact that you always stand by and champion for what you believe in. We need more leaders like you.

Collin Chan said...

I feel the are many reasons why you are not given the second term.Maybe you are a controversial figure. Before you take up any public office you need to know that you are no longer an individual, you to take government allowance as an NMP every month, and that comes with social responsibility.Public office bearers should not be a controversial figure.You for one is really controversial.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Zen said...

Mr Siew,

I was looking forward to your second term as a NMP. What a pity. Thank you for your efforts and dedication.

Zen

FeedMeToTheFish said...

Dear Mr Siew,

I'm not at all surprised that you are not re-appointed. Since "If you are not with me, you are . . . . ." a liability to the power that is?

In your journey "to build a democratic society based on justice and equality so as to achieve happiness, prosperity and progress for our nation", you have ruffled too many feathers!

In parliament, you have spoken for me, much more than the MP in my own constituency. You have done a such a fantastic job that you have put many ruling MPs to shame.

You have taken the road less traveled and survived!

Thank you for not sucking up!
Thank you for being our voice!
Thank you for being you!

NCMP or not, I still owe you one.
Do not be surprise if someone comes along and ask permission to kiss your botak head :) Yes Sir, when we meet, please accept my sincere appreciation for all that you've done.

In whatever you aim to do, please keep keeping it up in your blog!

Again, thank you so much for being you!

Respectfully yours,
feedmetothefish

eddie said...

................暴殄天物(难过)

Tutor Anthony said...

Dear Sir,

You have been an excellent NMP, one of the best I have ever seen. Thank you for keeping in touch with people on the ground via your blog. I am sure you will be able to contribute to society in many other ways as well. Best wishes!

Regards
Anthony Fok

eddie said...

.

Dear. Mr Siew
我有这必要解释‘暴殄天物’为何吩自我口中,从来没有一个人能像你一样的提供思维和逻辑、方案和提议。我个人认为过去你在国会的日子里所扮演的角色是非常独立的,无论逻辑、方案、提议等。这几乎是需要时间来实践,事情的对与错的靠 SINGAPORE 未来的进程、人民和领导班子的充分合作。你却能在事情还没演变成型时,提供给予我们宝贵的意见,我的可惜甚至带着怜悯之心,才说了这句“暴殄天物”。上面有位朋友叫你‘大侠’我觉得义士更为妥当。(谢谢你过去给我们的精彩)--
.

utwt said...

why do u leave your fate in parliament to the whims and fancies of the PAP?

it is time for u to run for opposition!

Chee said...

Hello Mr Siew,

It is indeed a sad day for us Singaporeans who are really looking forward to engaging politics and politicians we feel that really care about us.

Frankly speaking, I think that you are the ideal product of the NMP scheme even though evidently the government does not think so.

I feel that your outreach efforts through the form of this blog, and this special connection we feel with you - that you are one of us and not some official with a disconnect with the masses, is something which the PAP have to learn from you.

A real pity that they decided to nip this (problematic) lesson in the bud.

But all in all, you did a good job. Be Proud. :D

Min said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Min said...

Dear Mr. Siew,

I'm a keen admirer of your representation in parliament and am utterly disgruntled by the rejection of the continuation as a NMP for a 2nd term. Word alone cannot express fully my heartfelt gratitude and meaningful contribution as a NMP, and I wish you long life and prosperity because, for a secondary nation-state such as Singapore, the gov't is severely lacking individuals such as yourself; excellent command of language, courage, self-belief & sacrifice, critical thinking and most of all, public support.

I shall leave you a link by Kent Ridge Commons (NUS publication) and students' opinions in NUS (and other local institutions) of your tenure & career as a NMP.

http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=4392

live long, and prosper.

Unknown said...

Mr Siew

Thank you so much for what you have done. Singapore will be poorer without your presence in the parliament.

Unknown said...

I regard Mr. Siew's involvement in the AWARE saga him acting in the capacity of a friend.

rhea said...

Hmm I'd agree that one who takes up public office should not be controversial, but I think what Siew did wasn't really controversial: he's just a little less politically correct than the rest - which is what I find really lacking in our govt.

Unknown said...

I must say out of good conscience that he did admirably as a person whom I'd regard as truthful.

That is to say, I wouldn't regard Mr. Siew as one who "plays politics", which is so common amongst those who are in Parliament given their station.

Where I have commented regarding Rafflesians vs HwaChongians, it's out of sheer disregard for those who'd opine in private advocacy that he'd broken a law in his capacity as counsel to the old AWARE committee.

I hope that clarifies.

chuck's said...

dear sir,

i have been deeply inspired by your work and endeavors in your capacity as NMP.
however and whatever the detractors might critique, well honestly not critique but just rant, i believe you have done yourself justice.
please do not let this episode prevent you from further contributing to our society.

if anything, you have become a role model for myself and hopefully an inspiration for my generation and all singaporeans.

best wishes.

chuck

Seelan Palay said...

I'm sorry that you were not re-elected Siew Kum Hong.

We can easily conclude why, but I will always remember you for having done the right thing by standing on the side of justice and truth.

leetahsar said...

dear kum hong,
many sgporeans had watched how u passionately put across ur points. everyone found that u r a bargain and a gem cos u were paid at a much lower "discouted" price for your presence felt compare to those silent expensive yesmen pap mps.
perhaps, this could be a blessing in disguise to motivate u to get yourself voted into parliament officially as an opp MP. this way, your words would be enhanced and should carry more weight.
sgporeans care about local politic except the good ones represent the minority opposing voice are rare to come by. and pls dun mention about chee soon juan - he causes more nonsense than good. :(
but ur presence is a refreshing fresh air to sweep across the nation. many have paid more attention to ur speeches than those by minitoots or mps which are mere recorders playing repeatedly the same YES TUNE of paps.
so kum hong, WE SUPPORT U!!

GO FOR IT!! :)

TPG-iTec said...

To all who have left comments in support: Thank you! Thank you for bothering to write, and for Your kind words. It is a clear affirmation of what I have sought to do in my term.

To Chee Wai: I expect to continue to be active in civil society. As for causes, I'm pretty sure it will continue to be the same types of issues that I've spoken up on in the past.

To Tessa: You make a good point. But ultimately, I'm afraid I will still have to differ. I decline to be defined by my appointment (or now, lack thereof) -- that being the case, I have to be able to be defined by my other capacities. It therefore follows that I can exist and act in other capacities. Anyway, thanks for the support!

To Collin Chan: Perhaps. To my mind, much if not most or all of the so-called controversy was manufactured by those who disagree with my views. In a more mature society, disagreements would be seen as what they are, and would not have been amplified for malicious ends. And even if I was in fact controversial -- I will not shy away from doing the right thing, simply to avoid being seen as "controversial". Perhaps Singapore would be well-served if more Singaporeans are less afraid of being seen as "different".

Unknown said...

One thing I would like to highlight would be how Mr Siew was able to make simple and yet powerful arguments based on logic. For example, the by-election speech could be a textbook classic, if there is such a thing.

We could really do with fewer academics who use convoluted language to mask weak arguments (or non-arguments). At the other end of the spectrum, we also do not need leaders who make pasar analogies where it suits them to "reach out" to commoners.

Not all MPs are talented orators, but it is not too much to expect logic and sincerity from them. Mr Siew shows how it can be done.

A remarkable term, thank you!

Unknown said...

Dear Mr Siew, like the many before me mentioned, please join a credible opp party for the next election, i'm sure u will garner strong support! better still, come to the AMK ward! u will earn my vote for sure!

Thank you for all that you have done for us!

AMK-rian

David said...

Hi Mr Siew,

Parliamentary debate will only be poorer without your excellent participation henceforth. The government has a lot to lose in the long run for knowlingly disengaging the bright spark that is you.

Here's wishing that you'll continue your good work for the good of Singapore through other avenues!

David

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