The motion to abolish Singapore's group representation constituency (GRC) system put forth by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) was rejected by Parliament on Wednesday. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, speaking on behalf of the People's Action Party (PAP), explained that supporting the motion would risk inadequate multiracial representation and go against the founding principles of minority community inclusion.
Minister Chan argued that leaving representation to chance could potentially lead to racial politics and hinder progress towards a system where race is not a decisive factor in elections. The GRC system, implemented in 1988, ensures minority representation in Parliament by requiring each GRC slate to include non-Chinese candidates.
PSP Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa proposed the abolition of GRCs, claiming that multiple changes to the system over the years have resulted in suboptimal outcomes, allowing weaker candidates to ride on the coattails of stronger teammates and reducing voter influence on election results. Poa suggested two alternatives: a scheme allowing minority candidates with the highest percentage of votes but not elected to be appointed as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) in case of under-representation, or the adoption of proportional representation with multiracial slates for single-seat contests and party lists.
Minister Chan contended that the NCMP scheme for minorities would not effectively achieve the goal of ensuring multiracial representation in Parliament and minimizing the risk of race being exploited in politics. He highlighted the absence of a guarantee for sufficient minority candidates in an electoral system with only single seats. Furthermore, he expressed concerns that Poa's proposal would result in a political divide along racial lines, which he considered dangerous for Singapore.
Regarding proportional representation, Minister Chan cautioned that it might lead to parties formed solely based on race, religion, or special interests. He emphasized that Singapore learns from other countries' experiences but does not blindly replicate their systems, particularly when those systems struggle to find solutions to their own issues.
Minister Chan emphasized that the GRC system serves two fundamental objectives: ensuring Parliament's representation reflects the racial makeup of society and preventing politics from becoming racially divisive. He addressed Poa's criticisms, explaining that the absence of a by-election when an MP vacates a GRC seat prevents individuals from holding the rest of the team hostage. He also rejected the notion that star power solely benefits incumbents, pointing to instances where opposition party candidates benefited from prominent figures within their ranks.
During the parliamentary debate, other members expressed their disagreement with the motion, citing the importance of GRCs in maintaining social cohesion and racial harmony. Some proposed adjustments to the system, such as reducing GRC sizes and requiring at least one female representative in each GRC.
In conclusion, Minister Chan emphasized the necessity of avoiding risks or experiments that could undermine Singapore's progress and jeopardize the nation's unity and harmony. He stressed the importance of the GRC system in building a society that transcends racial, linguistic, and religious boundaries.
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