ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE CHAIR

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO THE CHAIR:

The Leader of the House (Mr Mah Bow Tan): Mr Speaker, Sir, we have come to the conclusion of two weeks of sittings to consider the Government's Estimates of Expenditure for FY2010/2011. The House has supported the proposed Budget and Members have approved the Supply legislation to put this Budget into effect. Before I move to adjourn the sitting, let me say a few words.

In the last two weeks, Members have rigorously examined first the broad policies of the Ministries during the debate on the Budget and then the specific programmes during the Committee of Supply. Sixty-one MPs filed a total of 405 amendments. The number of MPs who filed cuts and the number of cuts were among the highest in recent years. These were extensively debated over six-and-a-half days, with about seven hours allotted each day. This was indeed the most productive session since the new system for debate in the Committee of Supply was introduced in 2005. The House also saw the active participation of the nine new Nominated Members who were appointed to the House just seven months ago. Their interventions on the various initiatives of the Ministries provided fresh perspectives to the debate.

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Compared to the previous years, Members generally did well to keep their speeches short and focused. Few Members had to rush through their speeches, even less suffered a cut by the guillotine. Members posed many relevant questions during clarification time and made full use of this time to engage the front bench. This year, Members used various means to put their points across. One Member spoke in three languages in one speech. I wonder whether she will take up the challenge to speak in four languages next year. Members also made good use of new forms of communication, including videos, cartoons and photographs. I am grateful to you, Sir, for allowing the use of such new media, and I am told somebody actually sang as well.

6.15pm

A few Members took more time to press their points and occasionally came close to testing the Chair's patience. As a result, they may have had more difficulty in catching your eye. May I, on their behalf, seek your understanding that sometimes they may need to put their clarifications into context, although I do agree that they should allow some time for the Minister to respond to their requests for clarification.

Overall, there was orderly debate throughout in keeping with the dignity of the House. This is a testament to the seriousness with which Members undertake their role and the standards of discipline upheld in the discharge of their responsibilities.

Sir, the debate in this House over the last two weeks has been a robust one. Hard questions were raised by both Government and Opposition Members as well as by Nominated Members. Ministers and their deputies responded fully, both when cuts were made and during clarification time. While most

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Members had well-prepared speeches, which in turn gave Ministers the opportunity to provide detailed responses, I was happy to see lively, at times heated exchanges during time set aside for clarification. Time, which I may add, in many cases stretched beyond the allotted time. I hope to see more of such exchanges, more free flowing debate in future years. If necessary, we will fine-tune the rules and be more flexible to facilitate this.

But more than being a robust one, the debate was also a substantive one. Strategic directions of the economy in the next decade was spelled out, challenged and endorsed. Many significant policy initiatives and changes were announced, discussed, questioned and clarified. Members asked for explanations and proposed changes, many of which were accepted. In some cases, they provided food for thought for future discussions and future policies. In one case, Members decided to initiate a Private Members' Bill to improve existing legislation.

Sir, this Parliament is the highest forum in the land, where national issues and policies are argued and decided, seriously and soberly, for the interest of the people. Its purpose is not to provide exciting TV drama or be a wayang or a show, although we do have ample examples of such parliaments. I believe our Members have acquitted themselves well, they have not let down the people who elected them into this House. On behalf of the House, Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to express my thanks to you and your Deputies for patiently chairing the sessions and for the regular and timely dispensation of advice to Members to save them from the guillotine. And last but not least, I would like to thank the staff of the Secretariat for their support and cooperation rendered to this House over this period of Budget sittings.

Thank you, Sir.

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Mr Speaker: Thank you, Mr Mah.

As always, the Speaker has the last word. I would like to thank the Leader for his kind words and wise counsel. I shall keep to my own counsel and be brief.

Compared to last year, I think we all agree that we have had an intense and more spirited Budget debate this year. Old paradigms are being reviewed and refined, or even replaced, by new ones to ensure our future growth into a more advanced economy. It is therefore no small wonder if hon. Members are passionate in their arguments and persistent in pursuing their convictions.

So, I am happy to report that this debate had proceeded smoothly as mentioned earlier by the Leader of the House. But I am still trying to figure out why several Members persisted in cramming five-minute speeches into one-minute amendments, often resulting in their speeches being read at breakneck speed to get every point in and stressing the simultaneous translators and the Chair in the process! Some others, started at a comfortable pace, but then suddenly – just like Toyota cars now being recalled – picked up speed when the guillotine approaches. Now, this debate also scored a first. In my 26 years in Parliament, this is the first time we were treated to an exquisite rendition of "Good, Better, Best" in the Chamber by an hon. Member!

But these asides do not detract from the fact that this debate is a serious and very important one: nothing less than about the transformation of our economy over the next decade. What we decide and what we do, will affect our future and those of our children. The challenges are

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many, and the road is strewn with sharp obstacles. But we push on nevertheless, resolutely and together – with a smile and a song on our lips. This is what the Singapore story is all about!

Let me end by recognising and thanking the following people for their roles and contributions to this debate:

(1) my two Deputy Speakers for their assistance and for standing in for me during the later parts of the debate;

(2) the Leader of the House and his Deputies, for their guidance and assistance in running the business of this House;

(3) the Whip and his Deputies for ensuring that this debate runs smoothly and according to schedule; and

(4) the Clerk of Parliament and her staff for their efforts and support in ensuring that the sittings run smoothly and efficiently.

But the biggest thank you of all is reserved for all hon. Members here – for your cooperation and forbearance, and for participating in the debate, and without whose presence this debate would not have been possible! [ Applause .]