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12 Jul 2012, 6.07PM

17 comments & replies |by Guest | Other Hot Issues

It is shocking to read that less than 25% of MPs were present for Parliament by the end of the day. They are being paid five figures a month and it's not like Parliament meets every day.

From Today July 10 2012:
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120710-0000050/LTAs-role-under-scrutiny

"The Land Transport Authority of Singapore (Amendment) Bill was not
passed yesterday as fewer than a quarter of members were present in the
House at the end of the debate. Mr Lui is expected to address the LTA's
role in last December's train disruptions in Parliament today."

The country is being short changed. Undoubtedly some of them are busy running their companies or with their directorships.

It is hard to believe such tardiness when important national issues are being discussed. Did some just turn up and leave after their presence was ticked?

1125 views | 17 comments & replies |

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Guest

13 Jul 2012, 1.14PM

c'mon let's not be naive... most of them joined not because they could debate in parliament...

top reasons for joining politics in no particular order are
:
1) political connection to get ahead in life/business/etc.
2) supplement iron-rice bowl income
3) know where the next hottest part of town to invest in real estate (when mrt location, hawker centre location, etc are pre-leaked)
4) get children to top schools
...
...
...
....
.....
273) they want to help singaporeans

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 1.23PM

i add a couple more:

5) cannot make it in a real-life job so need to make a switch and lord over their employers
6) unwanted "talent" in their original country, so come to singapore - easier to become "talent" and minister here

(Guru)

Woody

15 Jul 2012, 6.03PM

When there are too few opposition MPs in parliament, there is no worry that opposition MPs can block any bill result in calling for the government to step down like those in many other countries.

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 9.16AM

How many are PAP and how many opposition on that day?

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 9.21AM

Yup. Can anyone who has the attendance list or know which MPs were present please share with us here? When no one is checking on them, Singaporeans must do our job. They are our public servants and on our payroll. Gone are the days when we were a scared and "bo chup" employers?

Fat MaMa

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 10.04AM

Parliament then was debating on matters related to LTA .. who is also responsible for the massive MRT breakdowns ...

So much smoke was made by MPs and sad to note that these are just empty voices .. when Parliament debates on this .. these MPs are not around .. disinterested??? What a wayang!!!

Guest

13 Jul 2012, 10.19AM

Aiyah MPs got more important things to do, like go for foot reflexology, feed the dog, wash the car, watch Spider Man, dig ears..

Every month already got $15,000 what.. attend Parliament for what?

Guest

14 Jul 2012, 11.09AM

Regardless of their favored transport mode or issues, they are paid for their job. They simply have to deliver. Failure to do so, we have every right to sack them elections or not. With this kind do attitudes towards work how can they be models for our civil servants talk less about the country? Even if there is a fued going on within the party over the issue, they still have to do their job in parliament. What a disgrace!

Fat MaMa

Guest

14 Jul 2012, 4.01PM

Maybe they are feeling the same way as us. Their feedback will be just a feedback, for the Ministers will push through whatever they have intented. So it is pointless attending.

Guest

17 Jul 2012, 11.53AM

$15K part time MPs for show only....

If GOV want to go ahead with their plan what can those MPs do or say to change it? NOTHING!

These MPs and those RC are there to make up the numbers only.

Anyone that been Singaporean long enough and those follow the GOV news knows that.

Dream on Singaporean. There are nothing you can do and Nothing your MPs can do !

Guest

12 Jul 2012, 7.33PM

I thought this news is going to be blocked out. So are Singaporeans still want to believe they care?

Fat MaMa

Guest

14 Jul 2012, 6.52AM

Public transport? All the MPs ride BMW, Mercedes and Porsche! Why do they have to bother with the common peasants? Of course they skip lah! I bet when COE gets discussed then they come in cause at least then it involves them.

Guest

16 Jul 2012, 12.13AM

What?? Its getting out of hand? We need and IRON hand here, LKY pls come back.

Guest

16 Jul 2012, 12.26PM

O dear O dear !

Fat MaMa

Guest

17 Jul 2012, 11.51AM

S$15,000.00 per month for a part time job(few hours every other day).

What kind of MP !

Guest

18 Jul 2012, 1.34PM

Maybe PAP is playing handicapped, with less attendance, the opposition % will increase, thus their voice can be heard slightly louder.
Want to improve attendance?
Let the bonuses be attached to 75% attendance or more.
Or let it be 100% attendance, once, twice, three times and their MPship is strike out. There will be more by elections.

Guest

19 Jul 2012, 11.06AM

Recommend that they have an attendance book in Parliament.
Have the MP's Name, time in, time out and remarks column for them to give reason for early leaving.
Those absentees should give reason for their non appearance.
Warning letter to be issue for none compliants. After 2 warning letters, MP will have his status revoked and a by election to be arranged when there are more than 5 MPs being revoked.
The Government should take more serious view into the MPs' attendance. They were voted in by the people to represent them and bring up their concerns. Their failure to be present at Parliament session is misplacing the trust that the voters had placed on them. If they don't have time for Parliament, then they shouldn't take up the MP jobs.
Attending the Parliament session should be a compulsory thing, that is where they can communicates up and down and give a vote to any issue. What is the point of a meeting, if everyone is busy having their own appointment and putting the meeting as a least priority, only attending when they are free from commitment.
Parliament session, is not just any ordinary meeting, It is a meeting to decide our future and address our concerns, so MPs who had yet to attend Parliament should wake up and do their basic minimum for the S$17,500 per month that they are getting for their no service.