Former Workers’ Party Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP), Yee Jenn Jong, has raised concerns over the continued use of the NCMP scheme in Singapore’s electoral system.
In a Facebook post on 24 November 2024, Yee criticised recent remarks by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the People’s Action Party (PAP) 70th anniversary event, where Wong highlighted the scheme’s role in guaranteeing opposition representation in Parliament.
During his speech, Wong stated that while most Singaporeans support PAP as the ruling government, there is a growing desire for more opposition voices.
“Actually, there is no chance of [an opposition wipeout] happening at all,” Wong said, citing the NCMP scheme’s provision of at least 12 opposition members in Parliament. Wong emphasised that the opposition’s presence is “guaranteed” and warned of the potential risk of losing a stable and strong government if this sentiment is overemphasised.
In response, Yee expressed scepticism about Wong’s argument. “Even before any news of when the elections will be, PM Wong, the incoming PAP Secretary-General, has already used this tired argument,” Yee remarked. He suggested that the scheme has historically been employed as a tool to dissuade voters from supporting opposition candidates during general elections.
Criticism of the NCMP scheme
The NCMP scheme, introduced in 1984, allows opposition candidates who perform well in elections but do not win a constituency seat to enter Parliament as NCMPs.
Yee Jenn Jong first entered politics in 2011, contesting in the Joo Chiat Single Member Constituency (SMC) against Charles Chong of the People’s Action Party (PAP). Although he narrowly lost, securing 48.99% of the votes, he was the second-best performing opposition candidate and was subsequently appointed as an NCMP in the 12th Parliament of Singapore.
In GE2015, Joo Chiat SMC was absorbed into Marine Parade GRC, requiring Yee to shift his focus to contesting in the Group Representation Constituency. This constituency had previously been contested by the National Solidarity Party, but Yee took on the challenge despite having concentrated his efforts in Joo Chiat for four years. His team secured 35.93% of the votes.
However, critics like Yee and other commentators, including veteran journalist PN Balji, argue that the scheme undermines the need for meaningful reforms in Singapore’s political system.
Balji remarked, “I was never comfortable with the NCMP scheme. The official intention was to have a plurality of voices in Parliament… It was a sneaky way of telling Singaporeans: Vote for PAP but you can still get opposition voices in Parliament.”
Yee echoed this sentiment, referencing his book co-edited with Loke Hoe Yeong, “Non-Constituency Members of Parliament: What’s Next for the Scheme?”
He argued that the NCMP scheme distracts from efforts to build stronger opposition parties. “The presence of NCMPs in Parliament does not equate to a functioning democracy. In fact, it indicates the need to build up stronger alternative parties,” Yee wrote.
Financial and operational distinctions of NCMPs
The allowance and resources allocated to NCMPs differ significantly from elected Members of Parliament (MPs).
According to the Public Service Division (PSD), NCMPs and Nominated MPs (NMPs) receive an annual allowance of S$28,900, equivalent to 15% of an MP’s allowance. Unlike elected MPs, they do not have a community role, constituency responsibilities, or additional allowances for hiring assistants.
These limitations were cited by former Workers’ Party MP for Punggol East SMC, Lee Lilian, who declined an NCMP seat after the 2015 general election.
Lee stated, “I contested the General Elections to be an elected member of the house… The people have no direct hand in electing me to the NCMP seat.”
Lee also noted practical restrictions, sharing an incident where her request to hold a charity food distribution event in her former constituency was denied by the PAP-managed Town Council. This further exemplified the limited influence and reach of NCMPs compared to elected MPs.
Calls for reform
As Singapore approaches its next general election, the debate over the NCMP scheme’s relevance has intensified.
Critics contend that while the scheme provides a safety net for opposition voices, it falls short of addressing deeper issues of political representation and systemic barriers.
They argue that 12 opposition voices in a Parliament dominated by a supermajority PAP offer limited checks, leaving voters’ mandate effectively unchecked and insufficient safeguards against potentially detrimental laws.
Yee suggested that it is time to “dump this quirk in our electoral system” and pursue reforms that strengthen alternative parties and foster a truly competitive democracy.
