GE2025: Shanmugam on former NMPs joining political parties; ex-AIC CEO spotted in East Coast GRC
Constitutional documents envisage that NMPs can join political parties, says minister
[SINGAPORE] A Nominated Member of Parliament can step down to join a political party and run for election under the Republic’s Constitution, said Minister for Law K Shanmugam on Monday (Mar 31).
“But we must make sure, of course, that while they are NMPs, they are independent and Parliament has got to choose men and women of character and who carry themselves properly,” he noted.
He added: “The fact that they can contribute subsequently, or prior, is something that was always understood and provided (for).”
Shanmugam’s comments, reported by The Straits Times, come after NMPs Raj Joshua Thomas and Syed Harun Alhabsyi resigned about a year before their terms ended. They have emerged as new faces for the People’s Action Party (PAP) recently.
The resignations had sparked comments that a scheme meant to ensure there are independent voices free from party politics in Parliament would be undermined.
Shanmugam, Nee Soon GRC’s anchor minister, added: “If you look at the debates and the speeches around that time, including the background papers that were put forward, Mr Lee Kuan Yew talked about, potentially, NMPs becoming ministers.
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“And, certainly, the constitutional documents clearly envisaged that NMPs could join political parties and take part in elections, and I think the final word really is the Constitution itself – the way it’s been drafted, that was the intention.”
Shanmugam, who is minister for home affairs as well, also said that it was difficult for him to give a final answer when asked if fellow Nee Soon GRC MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim would be fielded elsewhere, as such decisions are usually made by the PAP’s central executive committee.
Nonetheless, the minister said Associate Professor Faishal is “unlikely to be here”.
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Prof Faishal, who is minister of state for home affairs and national development, had joined Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng on a Mar 30 walkabout at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre, fuelling speculation that he could be fielded in the new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.
First public servant new face on the ground
Meanwhile, former chief of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) Dinesh Vasu Dash was seen with East Coast GRC MPs on Monday morning, reported ST.
Dinesh, whose last day at AIC was on Mar 27, is the first former public servant spotted on the ground with PAP MPs since the recent string of resignations from the government.
The 50-year-old was seen walking into Al-Ansar Mosque in Chai Chee, accompanying Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.
This comes amid speculation that he has joined the ruling party and will be fielded in the upcoming election.
The civil service is a traditional PAP hunting ground for election candidates. Those who are selected usually resign from their jobs in the run-up to the polls.
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