10/15/2005

members of parliament - the role of mps

parliament is due to sit on monday and the agenda is filled with questions by mps for the ministers to answer. this is the familiar modus operandi for mps during a parliament sesssion. they see their roles as asking questions. and whatever the minister replies, they have done their duties as the people's elected representatives. what happens to the role of representing the interests of the people, telling the ministers what the people wants and instituting or pushing for change according to the will and interests of the people they represent? this does not mean that they should argue and fight for frivolous and unreasonable demands of the people. there are many issues that the people feel very sore about. all the issues have been raised in the media, in forums, in meet the people's sessions, through personal contacts etc. why is it enough just to ask a few questions and feel satisfied that they have discharged their duties to their people? or is it a case of party interest first, people's interest second, only to shout during election time? is there a conflict of interest for the mps to serve the interests of their wards? isn't serving the interest of the people, representing the people and being reelected by the people to strengthen the party's representation in parliament be the same as serving the interest of the party? or shall they risk losing popularity vote and being reelected and continue to vote for the party's position even when the people are against them? the role of mps is asking questions in parliament? uniquely singapore.

1 comment:

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

imagine the parliaments of taiwan or japan. if their ministers were to talk in their parliament like what they are doing here, i think all the chairs and tables will fly. they might not even walk out of parliament standing. but we cannot expect our mps to behave that way. but at least we can expect our mps to stand up for issues that affects the people and make a stand. if they don't agree with the ministers, say so. and they must be prepared to tell the ministers that their policies are not acceptable to the people. they must tell the ministers what the people want. not just asking questions.