Members of Parliament (MPs) would now lose their seats if they are fined at least $10,000 when convicted of an offence. The modifications to Singapore's Constitution were unanimously passed by Parliament on Monday (9 May).
Currently, an MP will lose their seat if they are fined at least S$2,000 and imprisoned for at least one year.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing remarked that the increase in fine amount, which has not been altered since Singapore's independence, takes inflation over the years into consideration.
"$2,000 (back then) would be equivalent to $8,000 now," stated the minister in charge of the Public Service.
He noted that the modification takes into consideration court-imposed penalties for major tax evasion and corruption offenses, which are crucial to a person's integrity.
"Despite the suggestion to amend the fine amount, Singaporeans should expect members of this house and those aspiring to be members of this house to uphold the highest standards," Chan added.
He also indicated that there would be no modification to the minimum prison sentence, as Singapore's one-year prison term remains a "acceptable threshold" that does not require alteration at this time.
In a review conducted by the Elections Department (ELD), it was determined that the imprisonment sentences for MP disqualification in several Commonwealth nations, such as Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, varied from one to at least two years.
The reforms also extend the ban for individuals convicted abroad beyond Singaporean and Malaysian courts.
Workers' Party (WP) chairperson and Aljunied GRC MP Sylvia Lim stated that the $10,000 amount was "reasonable" and "an endeavour to keep the same qualifying conditions that existed when the law was initially passed."
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