Latest news with #Seah
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
MPs should not ask questions to 'clock numbers'; focus should be improving Singaporeans' lives: Seah Kian Peng, Singapore News
SINGAPORE — Singaporeans can expect more debate in the upcoming 15th Parliament, with today's uncertain world and the need for more policies to tackle the attendant challenges, and more MPs in the House. But this does not mean that parliamentary sittings must go on for longer, as what is important is the quality of the debate, said Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng. Noting a trend of more parliamentary questions being filed in the previous term of Parliament, Seah sounded a note of caution against having this become a numbers game. "I hope we don't get to a point where MPs are filing questions for the sake of clocking numbers — I think that is not necessary and not very productive," he said in a July 1 interview with The Straits Times about the role of Speaker, and his plans if elected. On June 20, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the Government intended to propose Seah's election as Speaker when Parliament reopens on Sept 5. Seah has served as Singapore's 11th Speaker since 2023. Seah said he sees his role as helping to take the quality of debate in Parliament to the next level, which can be achieved if MPs "have done their homework and know the dos and don'ts (of Parliament's Standing Orders)". This has become more important with more MPs in the House, he added. The 15th Parliament will have 97 elected MPs and two Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) for a total of 99, up from 93 elected MPs and two NCMPs previously. The 14th Parliament had set new records on the number of sittings, ministerial statements delivered and other kinds of speeches. "Each hour spent in Parliament, if everyone turns up, is 100 man-hours... which is why we do want to make sure time is spent productively for everyone," said the former labour MP. To help new MPs get up to speed, Parliament has started to hold orientation briefings for them. Seah, who joined politics in 2006 and continues to be an MP for the Braddell Heights ward of Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, had some guidance for his colleagues: Focus on representing the people to improve their lives, and not playing to the gallery. This means agreeing to disagree, where needed, rather than asking questions — or giving answers — that retread the same ground, he said. "I say this to both sides of the House: Whichever party you come from, frontbench or backbench." Seah was asked about suggestions some MPs have made previously to improve the efficiency of Parliament. These include a proposal that Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai made in 2020 as a backbencher for some speeches to be taken as read, so that more time can be spent on debate and clarifications. Seah's response was that there is a certain limit to efficiency, as people want to see their MPs' convictions when they speak, and whether their proposals are convincing. Without resorting to such measures, quite a lot of time can be saved if MPs follow Parliament's existing rules, he said. With the 15th Parliament being Singapore's biggest yet, Seah said he was particularly heartened that it includes more women MPs — 31 of them, up from 27. He expressed confidence that the proportion will only increase in the years ahead, and that more diversity — in terms of gender, race and background — makes for a better Parliament. This is as Parliament makes laws that affect all Singaporeans, and better representation of views will allow for better policies to be formulated, he added. On 'refereeing' Parliament and stepping up outreach Unlike the 14th Parliament, where there were three political parties with representatives in the House, the new term of Parliament will have two: the ruling People's Action Party, which has 87 seats, and the Workers' Party, which has 10 plus the two NCMP seats. The Progress Singapore Party, which had two NCMPs in the last Parliament, was not re-elected into the House. Seah said his role has not changed since he first became Speaker in July 2023 following the resignation of Tan Chuan-Jin, and that is to remain impartial to MPs from all parties. "Whether it's two, three, or for that matter four or more parties, to me that should not affect how we conduct the proceedings," he said. Using a football analogy, Seah said he sees himself as a referee: stepping in as needed to enforce the rules and make decisions, such as when an MP raises a point of order. That is the procedure by which a member can interject to bring to the Speaker's attention a perceived breach of the House's rules during a sitting. "The referee must know the rules, right? But we also hope the players know the rules as well," he said. Asked how he maintains impartiality while also being a PAP member, Seah responded that he has over his corporate and political career become adept at juggling different hats. "In the general election, I stood as a member of the PAP, so I wear that hat when I'm representing my constituents... But when I'm in the Chamber, I'm wearing my hat as the Speaker, I'm not wearing the hat of a PAP member," he said. What he intends to do more of is to step up Parliament's outreach to Singaporeans on the work that is done in the House. On this front, the live streaming of Parliament since 2021 has been great as it allows people to tune in to sittings wherever they are, he said. Other projects in the pipeline include an interactive, online version of Parliament set to be hosted on the virtual gaming universe Roblox, which Seah said will be ready by the end of the financial year. One lesser-known aspect of his work — which Seah called a highlight of his role — is that the Speaker represents Singapore's Parliament to other countries' parliaments and representative bodies. In June alone, he had meetings with the Bulgarian and Vietnamese ambassadors to Singapore, as well as Kazakhstan's senate chairman. He recounted how veteran diplomat Tommy Koh had, over a lunch in 2023, impressed on him the importance of this area of work. This is as diplomacy between parliamentarians is another lever by which Singapore can improve its ties with other countries and governments in this challenging period, said Seah. "That's something I do with pride and honour... You realise the respect that many parliamentarians from other parts of the world have for Singapore," he added. Seah said it has been an honour to be Speaker, but admitted that he misses being a backbencher and his corporate career. He stepped down as group chief executive of NTUC Enterprise, as well as from the boards of its social enterprises, after becoming Speaker in 2023. This was not a requirement, but he did so to focus on his new role, he said. The upside is that he gets to meet and talk to more MPs, and listen to more debates by virtue of being in the Chamber most of the time. "Of course, there are more interesting ones, and sometimes some of the speeches could be not as interesting," he said. "But it comes with the part." [[nid:719795]] This article was first published in The Straits Times . Permission required for reproduction.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
MPs should not ask questions to ‘clock numbers'; focus should be improving S'poreans' lives: Speaker
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox SINGAPORE – Singaporeans can expect more debate in the upcoming 15th Parliament, with today's uncertain world and the need for more policies to tackle the attendant challenges, and more MPs in the House. But this does not mean that parliamentary sittings must go on for longer, as what is important is the quality of the debate, said Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng. Noting a trend of more parliamentary questions being filed in the previous term of Parliament, Mr Seah sounded a note of caution against having this become a numbers game. 'I hope we don't get to a point where MPs are filing questions for the sake of clocking numbers – I think that is not necessary and not very productive,' he said in a July 1 interview with The Straits Times about the role of Speaker, and his plans if elected. On June 20, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the Government intended to propose Mr Seah's election as Speaker when Parliament reopens on Sept 5. Mr Seah has served as Singapore's 11th Speaker since 2023. Mr Seah said he sees his role as helping to take the quality of debate in Parliament to the next level, which can be achieved if MPs 'have done their homework and know the dos and don'ts (of Parliament's Standing Orders)'. This has become more important with more MPs in the House, he added. The 15th Parliament will have 97 elected MPs and two Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) for a total of 99, up from 93 elected MPs and two NCMPs previously. The 14th Parliament had set new records on the number of sittings, ministerial statements delivered and other kinds of speeches. 'Each hour spent in Parliament, if everyone turns up, is 100 man-hours... which is why we do want to make sure time is spent productively for everyone,' said the former labour MP. To help new MPs get up to speed, Parliament has started to hold orientation briefings for them. Mr Seah, who joined politics in 2006 and continues to be an MP for the Braddell Heights ward of Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, had some guidance for his colleagues: Focus on representing the people to improve their lives, and not playing to the gallery. This means agreeing to disagree, where needed, rather than asking questions – or giving answers – that retread the same ground, he said. 'I say this to both sides of the House: Whichever party you come from, frontbench or backbench.' Mr Seah was asked about suggestions some MPs have made previously to improve the efficiency of Parliament. These include a proposal that Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai made in 2020 as a backbencher for some speeches to be taken as read, so that more time can be spent on debate and clarifications. Mr Seah's response was that there is a certain limit to efficiency, as people want to see their MPs' convictions when they speak, and whether their proposals are convincing. Without resorting to such measures, quite a lot of time can be saved if MPs follow Parliament's existing rules, he said. With the 15th Parliament being Singapore's biggest yet, Mr Seah said he was particularly heartened that it includes more women MPs – 31 of them, up from 27. He expressed confidence that the proportion will only increase in the years ahead, and that more diversity – in terms of gender, race and background – makes for a better Parliament. This is as Parliament makes laws that affect all Singaporeans, and better representation of views will allow for better policies to be formulated, he added. On 'refereeing' Parliament and stepping up outreach Unlike the 14th Parliament, where there were three political parties with representatives in the House, the new term of Parliament will have two: the ruling People's Action Party, which has 87 seats, and the Workers' Party, which has 10 plus the two NCMP seats. The Progress Singapore Party, which had two NCMPs in the last Parliament, was not re-elected into the House. Mr Seah said his role has not changed since he first became Speaker in July 2023 following the resignation of Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, and that is to remain impartial to MPs from all parties. 'Whether it's two, three, or for that matter four or more parties, to me that should not affect how we conduct the proceedings,' he said. Using a football analogy, Mr Seah said he sees himself as a referee: stepping in as needed to enforce the rules and make decisions, such as when an MP raises a point of order. That is the procedure by which a member can interject to bring to the Speaker's attention a perceived breach of the House's rules during a sitting. 'The referee must know the rules, right? But we also hope the players know the rules as well,' he said. Asked how he maintains impartiality while also being a PAP member, Mr Seah responded that he has over his corporate and political career become adept at juggling different hats. 'In the general election, I stood as a member of the PAP, so I wear that hat when I'm representing my constituents... But when I'm in the Chamber, I'm wearing my hat as the Speaker, I'm not wearing the hat of a PAP member,' he said. What he intends to do more of is to step up Parliament's outreach to Singaporeans on the work that is done in the House. On this front, the live streaming of Parliament since 2021 has been great as it allows people to tune in to sittings wherever they are, he said. Other projects in the pipeline include an interactive, online version of Parliament set to be hosted on the virtual gaming universe Roblox, which Mr Seah said will be ready by the end of the financial year. One lesser-known aspect of his work – which Mr Seah called a highlight of his role – is that the Speaker represents Singapore's Parliament to other countries' parliaments and representative bodies. In June alone, he had meetings with the Bulgarian and Vietnamese ambassadors to Singapore, as well as Kazakhstan's senate chairman. He recounted how veteran diplomat Tommy Koh had, over a lunch in 2023, impressed on him the importance of this area of work. This is as diplomacy between parliamentarians is another lever by which Singapore can improve its ties with other countries and governments in this challenging period, said Mr Seah. 'That's something I do with pride and honour... You realise the respect that many parliamentarians from other parts of the world have for Singapore,' he added. Mr Seah said it has been an honour to be Speaker, but admitted that he misses being a backbencher and his corporate career. He stepped down as group chief executive of NTUC Enterprise, as well as from the boards of its social enterprises, after becoming Speaker in 2023. This was not a requirement, but he did so to focus on his new role, he said. The upside is that he gets to meet and talk to more MPs, and listen to more debates by virtue of being in the Chamber most of the time. 'Of course, there are more interesting ones, and sometimes some of the speeches could be not as interesting,' he said. 'But it comes with the part.'
Time of India
01-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Celebrate Identity Beyond Pride Month: City Hosts Literary Event for Visibility
the exhaustion of being boxed in, and the urgency of still being heard. Malcolm Seah When visibility becomes a performance Both writers reflected on how Pride Month, while important, risks becoming a siloed celebration — neatly boxed into June, then shelved. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Why should there be specific events and timings to talk about queerness?' Seah asked. 'Why can't a Pride parade happen on a Tuesday morning if it wants to?'. Parikh agreed, adding that allyship should not have an expiration date. 'Our work is to make this post-Pride, to ensure that we focus on visibility throughout the year,' she said. Label fatigue? Kolkata, taboos and the 'grace' of acceptance 'We need more of this': A Sunday morning that sparked real talk The event may have started early, but it struck a deep chord. 'I was a bit sceptical as the talk was early on a Sunday morning,' said Tulika Pal, a student. 'But I could relate to the conversation. In India, the conversations around identity are still pretty oppressive.' For Ayushi Acharya, another student, the session felt overdue. 'I can see the community growing, but it's never enough. We always need more representation. Previously we didn't even have events like this during Pride Month. As a queer person of colour, it's so nice to see young authors sharing real experiences we live every day.' Teacher Aditi Jhunjhunwala added, 'Sessions like this offer great insight — not just into personal stories, but also into the harsh realities of other Asian countries. Hearing firsthand accounts really shapes how we think, and how we will continue to think.' What experts have to say: Asia has always been a conservative bloc, and speaking up about queerness or divorce still feels risky — people don't always respond well. But if people like me don't write about it or say it out loud, nothing will change. Transitioning isn't new; it's been part of cultures like India and Thailand for centuries. So why are we still acting like it's something the West invented? — Malcolm Seah Calcutta has always felt more open-minded than many other cities — a traditionally liberal, intellectual society. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now I hope that continues, especially when it comes to topics still considered taboo elsewhere in India. But our work isn't done. We must keep voicing our support for these freedoms — for everyone. — Karuna Ezara Parikh Cafés can be more than just places to eat — they can be safe spaces. When curated with care, they become venues where people from all communities can gather, connect, and feel seen. Events like these aren't just about books or food; they're about building a quiet, consistent community. — Shuli Ghosh, founder & creative director, Sienna Store
Business Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Singapore Airlines CEO's latest annual pay drops 14% to S$7 million despite record performance
[SINGAPORE] Singapore Airlines (SIA) paid its chief executive Goh Choon Phong S$7 million in remuneration for the latest financial year ended March 31, the carrier disclosed in its annual report on Wednesday (Jun 25). This marks a 13.5 per cent decrease from the S$8.1 million package he received in FY2024. Goh's latest remuneration consists of a S$1.5 million salary and S$3.1 million in bonuses – both an increase from FY2024's S$1.4 million salary and S$2.2 million in bonuses. However, the value of the shares he received was lower at S$2.3 million in FY2025, down from S$4.3 million in the year-ago period. The latest package also includes S$145,495 in benefits, such as transport allowances and travel benefits. SIA had previously announced a profit-sharing bonus of 7.45 months for eligible employees in FY2025, marginally lower than the year-ago period, but higher than the 6.65 months for FY2023. The carrier delivered positive results despite geopolitical tensions, supply chain constraints and inflation, its chairman Peter Seah noted in a letter to shareholders. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up SIA posted a 3.9 per cent rise in its net profit to S$2.8 billion, on the back of S$19.6 billion in revenue for the year. Seah noted that SIA and Scoot carried 39.4 million passengers, their highest ever. The company will continue to 'strengthen synergies between both airlines, optimising fleet and network planning, enhancing cost efficiency, and delivering greater customer value', said Seah. SIA is also supporting Air India's ongoing transformation with partner Tata Sons. The airline has a 25.1 per cent stake in the enlarged Air India Group, making it 'the only non-Indian airline with direct participation in one of the world's fastest-growing aviation markets', the chairman said. He expects SIA to 'navigate uncertainties from a position of strength and seize new opportunities'. The counter ended Wednesday at S$6.87, up 0.3 per cent.
The Star
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Seah Kian Peng to be nominated again as Speaker of Singapore Parliament; Indranee Rajah will remain Leader of the House
SINGAPORE: Seah Kian Peng will be nominated for re-election as Speaker of Parliament when the House reopens on Sept 5, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Friday (June 20). He is the current Speaker and has served in the role since 2023. Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah has been designated by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong as Leader of the House, the PMO added in its statement. Senior Minister of State for Defence and Sustainability and the Environment Zaqy Mohamad will remain Deputy Leader. In a letter to the Clerk of Parliament – the most senior official in the secretariat supporting the House – PM Wong said the Government will propose Seah's election and that he has designated Indranee and Zaqy for their roles. In a Facebook post on the same day, PM Wong added that Seah has since 2023 brought 'a steady hand and thoughtful leadership to the House'. PM Wong said: 'He has presided over our debates with fairness and ensured that proceedings are conducted with dignity and decorum. I am confident he will continue to discharge his responsibilities with distinction.' In a Facebook post after the announcement, Seah thanked the Prime Minister for his confidence, support and nomination. He added that he is grateful for the support of MPs past and present, and thanked his two deputies and colleagues from the Parliament Secretariat. Seah is assisted by two Deputy Speakers, Christopher de Souza and Jessica Tan. Deputy Speakers, who take over when the Speaker is absent, are also elected when a new Parliament sits. He said: 'If elected, I will as always endeavour to do my best and discharge my duties and responsibilities to the best of my ability.' Zaqy, who is also an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, told The Straits Times that he is thankful for PM Wong's trust in him. He added that with a renewed slate of MPs, including many first-time parliamentarians from both the PAP and the opposition, a broader range of perspectives and voices in the House can be expected. He said: 'We probably have about 20-30 per cent new MPs in Parliament this round, and I hope that this diversity will bring fresh energy and ideas to our national conversations.' Singapore elected 97 MPs at the polls, and two Non-Constituency MPs were later appointed from the Workers' Party. Of these, 29 are rookies. Zaqy added that many MPs were elected campaigning on various concerns and issues such as cost of living, jobs and economic uncertainty amid global tensions. 'Alongside these bread-and-butter issues, we'll also need to tackle longer-term challenges such as climate change, social mobility and ageing. Looking forward to a robust and constructive parliamentary term ahead,' he said. There are no term limits for both the Speaker and the Leader of the House. The Speaker is in charge of the administration of Parliament and its secretariat, and presides over its conduct. He or she decides who has the right to speak and puts the question for the House to debate and vote on. The Speaker also acts as the representative of the House in its relations with other Parliaments and welcomes visiting dignitaries. He or she represents Parliament at national events and during official visits abroad. The Leader of the House is responsible for arranging government business and the legislative programme of Parliament, and proposes appropriate actions to be taken on procedural matters arising in Parliament. He or she also moves procedural motions, such as to extend the times of sittings beyond the usual. For example, during her term as Leader, Indranee has addressed and issued notes on MPs' behaviour, and wrapped up or extended debates on key issues like the Budget and the 14th Parliament's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic. Seah, who is an MP for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, has served as Speaker since 2023. He was nominated and elected following the resignation of the previous Speaker, Tan Chuan-Jin, after an affair he had with fellow MP Cheng Li Hui was made public. Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development and an MP for Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, has been Leader of the House since 2020. She took over from Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu. The opening of a new Parliament following a general election traditionally begins with the election of the Speaker. In 2025, this will happen on Sept 5, following the polls held on May 3. The MPs will then be sworn in, and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam is scheduled to deliver an address to the 15th Parliament. The President's Address will set out the agenda and plans of the Government for its five-year term. - The Straits Times/ANN
