Politics
Speaker Seah Kian Peng’s claims of fairness and consistency draw online skepticism
Speaker of Parliament Mr Seah Kian Peng’s claims of impartiality in his role drew skepticism online. Critics argue that his affiliation with the ruling People’s Action Party raises doubts about his fairness. Some have pointed to past instances where parliamentary exchanges were cut short, denying opposition MPs the chance to seek further clarification.
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SINGAPORE: Speaker of Parliament Mr Seah Kian Peng’s assertions of his commitment to fairness and consistency in chairing parliamentary proceedings have sparked skepticism among the online community.
Critics argue that Mr Seah’s affiliation with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) casts doubt on his impartiality.
Some have highlighted past instances where parliamentary exchanges were abruptly ended, leaving opposition Members of Parliament without the opportunity to seek further clarification.
In an exclusive interview with state media CNA published on 16 August, Mr Seah, who is also the MP for Marine Parade GRC, expressed his belief that he makes a conscious effort to apply the rules and oversee proceedings impartially.
He also discussed a recent incident where Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai, on a podcast, claimed he was often “one of the last to be called” to speak in Parliament.
Mr. Seah reassured that he has been fair and highlighted the challenges of managing a large number of members in the House.
Despite Mr Leong retracting his comment, Mr Seah criticized him during the 2 July parliamentary sitting, calling the statement a “gross misrepresentation of the proceedings of Parliament.”
In the CNA interview, Mr Seah recalled the difficulty of assuming the role of Speaker during a politically tumultuous period, including debates on the impartiality of the Speaker and high-profile resignations on his first day.
He considered this as a defining moment of his tenure, describing how he was “thrown straight into the deep end” on “rather short notice.”
He admitted that pressures while chairing parliamentary sittings include managing who gets to speak and ensuring timely progress in debates.
He emphasized the challenge of managing time effectively during parliamentary questions, given the 90-minute limit, and ensuring discussions progress efficiently, intervening as necessary, regardless of party affiliation.
With a general election approaching, Mr Seah reminded MPs not to use Parliament for “electioneering,” stating, “If it is against the standing orders, I will call them out.”
Skepticism surrounds impartiality of Speaker from ruling party
Observing comments on CNA’s Facebook post and Reddit, it is evident that many are not convinced Mr Seah can discharge his duties as Speaker with full impartiality, given his affiliation with the ruling party.
Some argue that having a Speaker from the ruling party might undermine fairness, comparing it to having a referee employed by one of the soccer teams.
There is a sentiment that a non-partisan Speaker would be better suited to ensure fairness and impartiality. They believe that the role of Speaker should not be held by a party member to avoid any perception of bias.
Some comments also criticize the efficiency of parliamentary sessions, suggesting that answers to questions are often evasive or lack substance.
Netizens pressed Mr Seah should ensure more direct and substantive responses to make parliamentary proceedings more effective.
However, a comment noted that in many democracies, the Speaker of the House is typically from the ruling party. It suggested that Mr Seah’s impartiality should be evaluated based on his actions and performance as Speaker, rather than solely on his party affiliation.
Past instance of opposition MPs’ queries ended abruptly in Parliament
A comment recalled past instances where Murali Pillai, PAP MP for Bukit Batok SMC made false allegations against NCMP Leong, which were recorded in the Hansard.
During Parliamentary sitting on 3 August last year, Mr Pillai claimed that Leong had proposed “some form of low rent control” When confronted, Mr Murali denied making such an allegation and instead stated that Mr Leong “sought low rents on behalf of SMEs.”
After a few exchanges, Mr Leong asked if the MP for Bukit Batok SMC would apologize to him if the records showed that he had not mentioned seeking low rent.
The discussion later ended abruptly, with Mr Seah stating, “As I’ve said, both Mr murali pillai have clarified, as well as Mr Leong you have also clarified what you have said.”
Another instance occurred on 4 March this year when Leader of the Opposition, Mr Pritam Singh, expressed frustration over being unable to fully respond to queries from Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) Senior Parliamentary Secretary Eric Chua regarding NCMP Leong’s POFMA order.
During the sitting, Mr Singh clarified the matter regarding the assistance to a needy elderly couple, which had led to Mr Leong receiving a POFMA correction direction for a statement published on social media.
SPS Eric Chua accused the opposition of politicizing vulnerable individuals’ situations and emphasized the need to avoid using such individuals as “Trojan horses,” pawns, or chess pieces.
When Mr Singh raised his hand to seek further clarification from SPS Chua, Speaker Seah Kian Peng abruptly ended the parliamentary question time and moved on to the Committee of Supply debate.
PAP asserts impartiality of Speaker despite party affiliation
In August last year, PSP filed a motion advocating for an “independent and impartial Speaker” following a hot mic incident involving former Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin.
In his speech, NCMP Leong proposed that the Speaker should be “non-partisan” or at least not from the core leadership of the PAP Central Executive Committee (CEC).
However, PAP MP Vikram Nair disagreed, suggesting amendments to the PSP’s motion.
He argued that Speakers do not automatically lack independence in their duties simply because they are members of a party or its leadership.
The Leader of the House, Indranee Rajah, concurred that the Speaker must be independent and impartial but disagreed with Leong’s interpretation of “independent” as meaning “non-partisan”.
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Seah Kian peng is appointment as the block-harass-fix-opposition of the house – exactly the way pinky loong wanted it when he previously told us he will have to buy our votes and fix the opposition.
already said before. same white wine from the same bottle will taste the same. tsk tsk tsk
How can Dishonesty be removed from Singapore politicians? How to eradicate every IB? IB are dishonest people who are defending out of self interest ,rice bowl and demonstrate Bigotry against citizens. These are morally bad people. So they are a harm to the nation trying to make progress.
We need anti trust laws to prevent companies from working together to control prices unfairly or to create a monopoly. Singapore PAP through Temasek,GIC and many companies control many Singapore big companies like NTUC to suck people money and now prices of many products are high. We need to break them all up. Many people go to Malaysia, Johor Bahru to buy grocery see the truth about Singapore prices. Singapore companies are making money and profit but they raise prices on consumers. To reduce prices and create a competitive market, we need anti trust laws to make prices competitive. Break… Read more »
Oooiiiiii !!!????? Ownself praise ownself go & die lahhhhh. Is papae a pee peee own self check ownself/praise/reward/fckownself parteeee!?!???
Salary of Parliament Speaker: https://www.psd.gov.sg/faq/ – The salary of a full-time Speaker is pegged to the MR4 benchmark. It includes the 13th month bonus and AVC, but excludes the performance bonus and National Bonus. The allowance of a full-time Deputy Speaker is pegged to 15 per cent of a full-time Speaker. – The pension scheme for the Speaker was removed with effect from 21 May 2011. – As of 2012, when the Ministerial salaries were last adjusted, the reference monthly salary for a MR4 Minister (mid-point of the range) was S$55,000. This works out to an annual salary of $1,100,000.… Read more »
Seah, don’t say all these Seah sway words lah. If there is really so much difficulty for you to assume the role of Speaker, then simply turn it down or resign right now because you simply can’t cut it and you obviously don’t have what it takes. You are only good at tekkaning opposition and helping your master pinky in “fixing the opposition”. Good job at fixing opposition. Just don’t go sleeping around with another chio-bu MP like your “fxxxking populist” predecessor did, because he got so much free time as speaker. You also have a lot of free time… Read more »
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Does this seah primate ooze any measure of fairness and consistency? Consistent corruption, perhaps? Even with his nice, expensive suit which so obviously doesn’t fit his face and demeanor, he will still find it impossible to sell his lies. Unless, of course, the sun rises from the west.
Fairness & consistency? This is his weird imagination run wild. “You wouldn’t believe how much discussion can go into deciding details like whether Neanderthals had eyebrows or not… ” They’re still trying to make monkeys out of us.
According to lky “Greed, for lack of a better word, is good.” Put another way, “Every man for himself and devil take the hindmost.”
Hahaha, how funny…fairness and consistency…are the very antithesis of pap. Crazy claims, Mr pants-on-fire.
His mil$alary is at stake…he can’t jeopardise that..
I’m guessing his post as Speaker commands at least $mil a year or more….the jlb Mayor’s are getting $750k plus plus..
Loyalty doesn’t come cheap 🤭🫢
The PAP Administration has set a huge precedent, CHEATED Singaporeans 100s of $ to pay their own people salaries to COMMIT CRIMES of bedding each other, seemingly with approval of Lee.
Hello, we’re not born yesterday!!!
Its ok ..LHL or new PM has his back…..no one can touch him…see that ex Speaker, even after LHL knew of his affair, he was shielded till the story broke publicly….
All wolves from the same pack…hunt together and protect each others skins!
Somehow, this Seah Kian Peng has that “Cannot be trusted” face, hor. Definitely a pap trending. Just look at the face of the million$ minister currently under corruption charges.
“I Did NOT had sex with Monica Lewinsky”
The Independence of the Speaker is long been questioned when Ex PM confessed, knowing well the EX- speaker’s affair, despite the speaker offering to resign, let him hang in there because he was trying to sort out the constituency issues , the EX- speaker represented.
If S’geans want a non- partisan speaker, come GE change the demographics of parliament, The current meagre Opposition are keen on non- partisan speaker except the ruling party.
Vote wisely.
ALAMAK!!!!
Mr Seah Kian Peng, your actions speaks louder than words. Many times you had displayed your ineffectiveness as speaker to maintain impartiality. Many speakers who were ahead of you, you can consider yourself the worst in quality.
No one born to be a speaker of parliament. Instead of improving yourself, you are justifying your actions with excuses and limiting free-speech which raise valid reminders.
The inferior complex within you makes you not performing up to the post.
The Greeks would call this “sophistry”. It sounds meaningful, but it has no logical substance at all. It is obvious that currently, our “leaders” are motivated less by that sense of ‘justice’ or ‘fairness’ and more by The Golden Rule, the one that says, “The people with the gold make the rules”. Hahaha……..
There is a Chinese saying “cover the conscience and speak” and another that says “with open eyes speaking blindly”.
Welcome to Partyment of Papillon.
Mr Alamak,
FairPrice and fairness are two different thing. You still think you are with Aunty Lucy
Being unethical is not a crime
Being blatantly bias is also not criminal
Being misunderstood is also not a crime.
Being a por-lum-pa is not criminal either
Being rude is also not a crime
Being dismissive is not a crime
These are the hallmark features of the PAP.
The supporters and even civil servants.
Be it Black or White, they can call whatever colour they wanted to. Same situation as People’s Association, they said it’s apolitical but blind person can also see what’s going on
??? … ???! …….Is that a six or a nine? It depends on the orientation of the observer.
He’s absolutely right, … in that he’s entirely committed to being fair and consistent, to the extreme actually, … where the pap’s concerned !!!
The very same goes to the previous speaker too, and the AG whilst we are at it, and oso the EBRC, the PA, the President, … all positions and entities with fairness and neutrality as the key prerequisite !!!
All leaning only one way, … and all paid for by taxpayers monies, and that, … is the bestest f**king joke in all of SillyPore, all day every~day !!!
Fucking oppo. Talk so much.
Win the election lah, then you fuckers in the oppo camp can the appoint your own affiliated speaker too.
Cannot win ah? You mean so bo liao, this coming election also STILL CANNOT WIN?
No wonder lah, some oppo fucks on your side said…NOT READY TO FORM A GOV!!
In that case, you fuckera are only making fucking noise for no other reason than just to get attention, just like an attenton seeking whore!
Go back home to sleep lah!😆😆😆😆🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Nancy Pelosi, House Speaker of 🇺🇸 Congress, tore away D Trumps speech document at the State of the Union Address Speech of Trump RIGHT at the GLARE of 100s of Media Cameras.
She was No. 2 or 3 after POTUS and VP.
Seah Kuan Peng? Master Ass hole licker – not enough after licking and smelling 80 of these.
Any guts like Pelosi?
Can you find an Independant as speaker of the P .
What elements apply as a Rubber Stamp Pee .