REFERENDUM ON TEAM MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT

[Mr Speaker in the Chair]

Mr Chiam See Tong asked the Prime Minister whether a nation-wide referendum will be held before the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore is amended to make provisions for the election of group or team Members of Parliament.

The First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence (Mr Goh Chok Tong) (for the Prime Minister): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering this question on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The question by the Member for Potong Pasir is premature.

The proposal for election of MPs on a team basis is under discussion. The proposal does not make any fundamental change to the system of 1-man 1-vote. When the discussions are concluded and if legislation is decided on, the Member will see that no referendum is required under the Constitution.

Mr Chiam See Tong (Potong Pasir): Supplementary question, Sir. I believe at the last general elections the PAP did not have this amendment to the Constitution to make provisions for the election of team MPs as one of their platforms. So they have no mandate to amend the Constitution. In fact, when this law to elect team MPs comes about, it will deprive voters in the constituencies of their constitutional right to elect a candidate of their own choice. Would you not agree with me on that?

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir is wrong. The PAP has a mandate to amend the Constitution except for Part III of the Constitution, because it has two-thirds, or more than two-thirds, of the number of representatives in Parliament. The only situation when we need to go for a referendum is clearly spelt out in the Constitution, and that is under Part III, Protection of the Sovereignty of the Republic of Singapore. That section in the Constitution spells out clearly that a referendum is required where it is proposed to surrender or transfer, wholly or in part, the sovereignty of the Republic of Singapore as an independent nation; or where it is proposed to relinquish control over the SAF or the Police Force.

Sir, whilst the concept of team MPs was not on our election platform in the last elections, it is not of the same magnitude that requires a referendum, even though an amendment to the Constitution is required.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I do not think the First Deputy Prime Minister has answered my question. I think the key point is that once this provision is ---

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam, do ask your supplementary question.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I know. But he has not answered my question.

Mr Speaker: But you are going on to something else. Do ask your supplementary question.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I want him to answer the point on whether, when this provision comes into being, a voter who is in a constituency for group MPs will be deprived of his right to elect a candidate of his own choice. As far as we know, it has been told to us that when this comes into being, true, you have got a 1-man 1-vote, but all the votes will be put into a common bin, is it not correct? Therefore, you cannot elect your candidate of your own choice. You are depriving a very fundamental right of a citizen.

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, the Member for Potong Pasir has not understood my answer. As I explained just now, this question was premature. I was answering his point on the need for a referendum on the concept of team MPs. I do not think we should stray into a debate on the concept of team MPs because discussions are still underway amongst PAP MPs, amongst ourselves and members of the public, and no legislation has been put forward to this House yet for a debate. His point of view can be argued in this House when legislation is presented to this House. But for today, I have answered his question on the need of a referendum on this particular concept.

Mr Chiam See Tong: There are two supplementary questions. This is of national interest. You say discussions are going on. Will you include the Opposition in your discussions?

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, there is nothing to prevent the Opposition MP from presenting his views while discussion is underway outside Parliament. And, of course, when discussion takes place in Parliament, we expect the Opposition MP to contribute his views on this matter.

Mr Chiam See Tong: I am going to ask the other supplementary question. You say it is true that you have the legal right not to hold a referendum. But do you not think the moral right is just as important? When you go for elections, I think the credibility should be tested. You have not told the electorate that you are going to amend the Constitution and half-way through the term you start amending and tinkering with the Constitution. Do you not think that is not really telling the electorate the truth of what you are going to do when you have another term of office?

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, a referendum is a very costly affair to hold and we should not just hold a referendum on any matter. Where an issue impinges significantly on the life of Singaporeans and on the future of the nation, then perhaps we should go for a referendum. But this is not an issue of such magnitude. It should be clear to Members of this House that when legislation of such a grave magnitude is presented, one has got to go to referendum. As I explained earlier, it will be clear to this House when we present the legislation that the proposed amendment would not in any way affect the right of members of the public or the electors to choose the MPs they want. There is no fundamental change to the system of Parliamentary elections.

Mr Chiam See Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think this point is important. He says there is no fundamental change. I say there is. Can he please clarify? This is important to the people of Singapore because they will belosing their right to choose a representative.

Mr Speaker: Mr Chiam. Order. Would you please ask your supplementary question?

Mr Chiam See Tong: As regards the costs, I think we have covered this ground before. Which is more important? A national referendum to amend the Constitution, just like in Switzerland where at every drop of a hat, they have a referendum to show how democratic they are.

An hon. Member: You want that?

Mr Chiam See Tong: We have spent $18 million on ---

Mr Speaker: Order. Mr Chiam, will you please ask your supplementary question?

Mr Chiam See Tong: Which is more important - an exhibition costing $18 million or a referendum on a national issue?

Mr Goh Chok Tong: Mr Speaker, Sir, I think it is pointless pursuing the debate on this line. I suggest the Member for Potong Pasir await the presentation of the Bill to Parliament, should we decide to proceed with the concept of team MPs. Then we can have a full debate at the proper time, including the need for a referendum. Once you understand the concept, you can debate it with much more clarity than today.