At least three NMPs not seeking second term

SINGAPORE — At least three Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) have indicated that they will not be seeking a second term, while a fourth has hinted she will also be stepping aside when her term runs out.

Unionist Mary Liew and Ms Tan Su Shan, Group Head of Consumer Banking and Wealth Management at DBS Bank, told TODAY that they will not apply for a second tenure after their terms expire, while outgoing National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre CEO Laurence Lien posted on Facebook on Tuesday that he was in his “last few months as NMP”.

Another NMP, actress Janice Koh, also posted on Facebook on Tuesday, where she put up the speech she had made in Parliament during the Budget debate.

“It’s my last speech at the Budget Debate and I hope something in there resonates with some of you,” Ms Koh posted. She could not be reached for further comment.

Ms Liew, Ms Tan, Mr Lien and Ms Koh are among the nine NMPs who were sworn in on Feb 14, 2012. NMPs are appointed by the President for a term of two and a half years, on the recommendation of a Special Select Committee of Parliament chaired by the Parliament Speaker.

The objective is for them to contribute independent and non-partisan views in Parliament. Parliament will be prorogued after the Committee of Supply debate ends later this month and it will reopen in May with a new batch of NMPs.

Ms Tan described her term as “very rewarding and a real eye opener”. “I have really enjoyed it ... I hope I contributed what I could, (for) the business community in particular,” she said.

However, she added: “I would love other people to have the opportunity and also it is good to rotate (the slate of NMPs) ... it’s good to have dissenting and fresh voices in Parliament every two and a half years.”

Ms Liew, who is the Deputy Executive Director of Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union, noted that she had been nominated by the labour movement to represent workers’ interest.

“It is a great privilege for anyone of us to be given the chance to serve as NMP. It has been an enriching experience for me. I have done my best to serve during my term. The privilege should be given to another fellow unionist,” she said.

For the remaining NMPs, Channel NewsAsia Associate Editor Nicholas Fang said he was still undecided on whether he will seek a second term.

Republic Polytechnic lecturer Faizah Jamal, Singapore Management University lecturer Eugene Tan, Jay Gee Melwani Group Managing Director R Dhinakaran and Pacific Lines Managing Director Teo Siong Seng could not be reached for comments.