Over the last ten years, approximately 300 Singaporean civil servants were interdicted from duty, with varying conditions and pay scales during their suspension, revealed Minister-in-charge of Public Service, Mr Chan Chun Sing in response to parliamentary questions posed by Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Ms Hazel Poa.
On Tuesday, Singapore’s Parliament rejected NCMP Hazel Poa’s motion, which sought to suspend Transport Minister S. Iswaran from his parliamentary role for the remainder of the 14th Parliament session.
However, the debate’s conclusion hasn’t halted discussions on social media, with some supporting Progress Singapore Party (PSP)’s motion, while others echo the position by the Leader of the Opposition, emphasizing the importance of due process.
Has the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) highlighted a significant oversight in tabling a motion to suspend Transport Minister S. Iswaran’s MP allowance, especially in light of his abstention from duties and the ongoing investigations by the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB)?
During the parliamentary debate on Tuesday, Ms Poa raised a compelling point: Is it justifiable for taxpayers’ funds to support an MP’s salary when he voluntarily refrains from his duties?
With the motion’s rejection, a pressing question remains: How can an MP continue to draw a salary, with no legislative provision allowing for its recovery, should he be later found guilty?
Pritam Singh, the Workers’ Party leader, vehemently opposed a motion from the Progress Singapore Party to suspend Transport Minister S Iswaran who is under investigation from CPIB.
He emphasized the importance of due process, asserting that justice must prevail before parliamentary actions are taken.
Singapore’s ruling party lawmakers have rejected the opposition’s motion to suspend Transport Minister S Iswaran from Parliament amid an ongoing corruption probe.
NCMP Hazel Poa of the Progress Singapore Party argued for the suspension, citing concerns about the prudent use of taxpayer funds and the position to be taken on investigations into serious offenses such as corruption.
Hazel Poa, a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), submitted her Private Member’s Bill on Monday, aiming to amend the Parliament (Privileges, Immunities and Powers) Act 1962.
The bill seeks to ensure that Parliament has the power to back-pay the allowances of suspended MPs, for instance, Transport Minister S Iswaran, in the event he is subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing.
Hazel Poa, a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) from the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), has filed a Parliamentary motion to suspend Singapore’s Transport Minister, S Iswaran, for the duration of the 14th Parliament session.
This move aims to withhold his S$192,500 annual MP allowance during an ongoing Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) inquiry when he’s not performing official duties.