What is a MP? 何謂國會議員？ PART II :: 第二回

This is the second part of a series on how Parliament functions in Singapore. 

這是一系列關於新加坡國會的短文之第二回

As previously mentioned in Part I, Members of Parliament are elected to represent their constituents in Parliament, the legislature of Singapore. A legislature is a deliberative body which enacts the laws by which the jurisdiction is governed. Legislatures exist all around the world, from the Legislative Yuan of the Republic of China, to the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Congress of the United States, and, of course, Singapore's own Parliament. 

MPs make decisions collectively on your behalf. Laws are introduced to Parliament in the form of Bills, which are read 3 times, each time requiring a majority of MPs present to pass the Bill on the Third Reading, except for Bills purporting to amend the Constitution. Singapore is governed according to the laws enacted by Parliament, so the decisions of MPs as a whole have a huge impact on your lives. There will be time in Parliament to debate each Bill, during which MPs may give speeches to the House. Such decisions include the setting of the CPF minimum sum, determining ministerial salaries, deciding how to spend taxpayer money, among other decisions. You may, ideally, want to vote for an MP who will speak up for you during Commons debate, say 'Aye' to provisions you agree with, and 'No' to those you don't. 

The Government has to serve you according to the rules set by Parliament. The Government has no authority to do anything which Parliament has not authorized it to do. It CANNOT collect taxes, withhold CPF money (or set a CPF minimum sum), or liberalize immigration policy, among other things, without authorizing legislation passed by Parliament. 

Different MPs contribute to Parliament differently, in both quantity and quality of their speeches. For example, while Mr Goh Chok Tong spoke only once in Parliament since he was elected in 2011, Mr Yee Jenn Jong gave speeches in over 80 sessions of Parliament out of slightly over 100. You may wish to assess the contributions of your MP in Parliament both quantitatively and qualitatively. 

A RATIONAL CHOICE

When casting your vote, think carefully; 

DO: 

• Vote for the candidate who can best represent you in Parliament
• Vote for the candidate who you know will speak up and vote in your best interests in Parliament
• Vote for the candidate who understands you and your needs
• Vote for the candidate who believes what you believe in
• Vote for the candidate who will wholeheartedly serve you
• Vote for the candidate who has the ability to contribute actively to parliamentary debate and build up our parliamentary tradition

DON'T:

• Vote for a candidate because he speaks good Hokkien or Teochew. 
• Vote for a candidate because he gives out free chicken rice/mineral water/raisin buns at his rally
• Vote for a candidate because he is handsome or pretty
• Vote for a candidate because someone told you to vote for him
• Vote for a candidate because he keeps the void decks clean
• Vote for a candidate because you are afraid of 'repercussions' of not 'voting for the government' (more on this later)
• Vote for a candidate because you feel compelled to vote for his/her party based on what they once did in the past.

Remember, elections are about the FUTURE, not about the past. The past may be glorious and be the subject of many fond memories, but who you vote for now will determine the future of the country, and affect your life in a profound manner.