Elections Dept proposes increasing minimum fine for disqualification of MPs from S$2,000 to S$10,000

SINGAPORE — A Member of Parliament (MP) will be disqualified from being an MP if he is fined a minimum of S$10,000, if a Bill tabled in Parliament on Monday (April 4) is passed.

Currently, an MP is disqualified if he is fined at least S$2,000.

If passed, this will be the first time the fine quantum has been revised since Singapore's independence.

In a press release on April 4, the Elections Department (ELD) said the tabled Bill, titled the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill, is part of its review of Singapore's electoral processes and legislation.

The proposed change will ensure that the fine quantum accounts for inflation and corresponds to the sentences handed down for offences "relevant to the integrity of the person" in Singapore, such as tax evasion and corruption, said ELD.

The Bill will also adjust the criteria for the disqualification of MPs, members of the Council of Presidential Advisers (CPA), and members of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR).

Adjustments to the disqualification criteria for MPs will also apply to the President, ELD said.

Apart from increasing the fine quantum, the Bill also proposes to:

• Expand the disqualification criterion due to convictions in Singapore or Malaysia to include convictions in any foreign country
• Make similar changes to the disqualification criteria for members of CPA and PCMR with respect to the fine quantum and convictions by foreign courts of law
• Remove the exception from being disqualified as MPs if a person has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland

Noting that more Singaporeans are living, travelling and doing business in other countries aside from Malaysia, ELD said convictions in other countries should be included in the disqualification criteria.

It also added that the proposed amendments will remove "an outdated clause" that exempts Singapore citizens who have voluntarily acquired citizenship in a Commonwealth country or the Republic of Ireland from being disqualified as an MP.

If the Bill is passed, MPs who voluntarily acquire any foreign citizenship will be disqualified.

The amendments will ensure that members of Parliament, CPA and PCMR are "persons with integrity and who adhere to high standards of conduct", said ELD.

The proposed amendments will apply to overseas convictions before, on or after the Bill is passed, disqualifying said people from being an MP.

Individuals who were previously fined at least S$2,000 but less than S$10,000 and were disqualified earlier will cease to be disqualified if the Bill is passed, ELD said.