Letter to ST Forum from Ms Sylvia Lim

To ST Forum Editor,

I refer to the letter by Ms Lee Hwai Jiin entitled `Full voting rights? Sure, get elected’ (ST April 16).

My comments on the different voting rights between Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) and elected MPs were made precisely to highlight that the two offices are not the same. I was not arguing for equivalent powers for NCMPs.

The public should therefore also not be confused that having opposition NCMPs is the same as having opposition elected MPs, nor buy into the ruling party’s exhortations in this direction.

If the public wants a more direct and effective check on the ruling party, they should elect opposition MPs who will provide political competition, both in Parliament and on the ground, so that Singapore will have insurance for the future if the ruling party declines.

SYLVIA LIM
CHAIRMAN, WORKERS’ PARTY