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Covid-19: Speaker urges MPs to be ‘socially closer’ to citizens even as people are kept further apart

SINGAPORE — With safe distancing measures keeping people further apart to minimise the spread of Covid-19, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to be “socially closer” to their residents.

Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has called on Members of Parliament to be “socially closer” to their residents.

Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has called on Members of Parliament to be “socially closer” to their residents.

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SINGAPORE — With safe distancing measures keeping people further apart to minimise the spread of Covid-19, Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin has called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to be “socially closer” to their residents.

“We also need to be socially closer to our citizens, to hear and speak their voice here, to provide them comfort, hope and confidence,” said Mr Tan, while noting that MPs were sitting further away from one another during Monday’s (April 6) sitting.

Safe distancing was first introduced during the March 25 Parliament sitting with MPs required to sit at intervals. Monday’s session saw an increase in the distance between MPs with some up near the rafters in the public galleries.

Speaking at the start of Monday’s session, Mr Tan said that even as people observe safe distancing, there was a need to be “nationally closer, to be of one heart and one mind in dealing with the challenges at hand”.

On Monday’s agenda was the unveiling of a third set of support measures by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to help with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. MPs would also debate on the second set of measures, dubbed the Resilience Budget, which was announced on March 26.

Mr Tan said that it is the duty of Parliamentarians to lead as Singapore goes through this critical time both in and out of the Chamber.

“We must robustly debate and properly pass the laws and any supplementary funds the Government requires to act in protecting our fellow Singaporeans. It is therefore essential that Parliament sittings continue,” he said.

Mr Tan also said that the Covid-19 outbreak will define this generation as it is a challenge like no other that Singapore has experienced in its lifetime.

“What we choose to say and do now will define us for all the tomorrows to come. As individuals, as a society, as a nation. Who we choose to stand with, and walk with today, will define us for the ages, as a people, as Singaporeans.

“Together, let us walk this journey and write this chapter of our story to the very best of our ability. So that years from now, in better times, we can look back at this epic period and share our tales of strife, struggle and triumph with our little ones,” said Mr Tan.

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