Comparison of LIVE parliamentary debates of 5 countries and the “wayang” in the Singapore Parliament
March 17th, 2010 | 
Author: OPINION
When one pay top salaries, one don’t expect to get monkeys. The PAP has always boasted that it has the BEST ministers and MPs in the whole world and that’s why Singaporeans need to pay them out of the world salaries to “retain” their services. If this is indeed so, then we should be expecting a first world parliament, but this is not the case.
In other countries, parliamentary debates are conducted LIVE on TV for the nation to see. MPs pose their questions directly and the ministers are supposed to answer them right on the spot. That is the standard practice everywhere else.
In Singapore, our MPs are paid a monthly allowance of $13,000 and even then, they are unable to speak LIVE in Parliament such that all their questions and answers are SCRIPTED. Not only that, some MPs still got the cheek to complain that the pace of Parliament is too “fast” for them or find lame excuses to defend their poor oratory skills like one new MP who claimed that “not everybody can speak as well as Lee Kuan Yew.”
This is the Parliament we have in Singapore – no LIVE coverage, only segments are shown on the state TV and even then, one Deputy Prime Minister was caught napping when the other was speaking:
Let us compare the above with the LIVE parliamentary debates in five countries which have similar parliamentary systems as ours – United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and Hong Kong:
1. United Kingdom:
Watch opposition leader David Cameron shred the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown into pieces in one of the spectacular moments of the questioning in the House of Commons on issues of election and inheritance tax in 2007. Cameron would probably be bankrupted or detained under the ISA had he tried to embarrass the Singapore Prime Minister like this.
2. Australia:
Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was embarrassed by opposition leader Peter Costello when asked about the income tax thresholds and rates during the PM’s question and answer session in 2007
3. Canada:
The Canadian House of Commons voted to adopt a recommendation which, if implemented, would make it possible for U.S. Iraq War resisters to obtain Permanent Resident status in Canada during a LIVE parliamentary session in 2008.
4. Malaysia:
Opposition parliamentarians walked out of the Dewan Rakyat in protest against Finance Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s refusal to entertain questions during his winding-up of the Budget 2009 Bill debates. Najib, who told the House that questions would be answered at the end of his speech, did not allow the numerous attempts for clarification.
5. Hong Kong:
The Chief Executive’s Question and Answer Session on 15 January 2009 which was marked by a protest at the beginning by an opposition lawmaker. Chief Executive Donald Tsang did not evict the troublemaker and gracefully accepted whatever was passed to him.
PAP MPs should watch more parliamentary debates from other democratic states to realize what a disgrace they have become. Do they have any sense of shame at all? Instead of speaking up for the people, they frittered their time discussing non-issues like the number of steps on an overhead bridge, food museums, triumph bras, frog tales, hairdos and other nonsense.
By conducting such a farce, the PAP is insulting the parliamentary system which Singapore inherited from the British. Parliament is an august chamber for MPs to discuss, debate and deliberate on major national policies and not a tea session or a time to take an afternoon nap.
It is a time where the Prime Minister and his cabinet are taken to task, held accountable for their words and actions and grilled by the MPs. This is what parliamentary debates are about! Not a “wayang” to rubber-stamp the decisions already made beforehand by senior leaders of the PAP!
In 2006, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that if there were 10 or more opposition MPs in Parliament, he would have to spend all his time “fixing” them. This is not democracy, but tyranny!
If the PAP is unable to adhere to simple basic democratic principles of governance, then it might as well cut the pretence and do away with Parliament altogether, outlaw all other political parties and set up a National People Congress like China in place of it.
In fact, the Singapore “Parliament” is all but in name only. Like China’s NPC, the decisions on major national policies are all already made behind closed doors by the senior leaders and the delegates are there to “ratify” their decisions to add a veneer of legitimacy to them.
This is the pathetic state our “Parliament” has become after fifty years of uninterrupted PAP rule. So what if we have a dozen more NCMPs or NMPs in Parliament to provide “alternative” views? Will it make any difference? The key decision-makers still lie in the hands of a few persons or one single person who simply refuse to fade away.
No matter how the PAP and the state media tried to window-dress it, the bitter truth is – Singapore has a near totalitarian form of government, not too much different from Nazi Germany, Stalin’s Soviet Union or Kim Jong IL’s North Korea – they too have their own “Parliaments” filled with powerless MPs who are there to just to make up the numbers.
Read also:
1. Why do we need so many PAP MPs in Parliament?
2. Why PAP MPs are no more but a “wayang” in Parliament
3. 10 most unforgettable quotes by PAP MPs in the recent parliamentary debates
4. PAP MPs complain that recent parliamentary “debates” are too fast
We all know the ending of these fascist states and sad to say, Singapore is heading the same way too.
Posted in Opinion
53 Responses to “Comparison of LIVE parliamentary debates of 5 countries and the “wayang” in the Singapore Parliament”
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Too many rotten MIW strawberries
Well,
Let’s start put all all our votes to oppostion. Whether they are monkeys or koala bears, it will still be having all these wayang ‘PIGS’ who take our taxpayers’ hardearned monies and not holding accountable for their action and words at all.
Singaporeans dont need all these idiot’pigs’ in the parliament. We do not need to pay all these ‘pigs’ in such an obscene pay.
A new govt need to be formed now. Yes, in singapore. A new govt has to be rise up in this coming GE. All these ‘pigs’ need to be nailed and thumb down by the new govt and they need to face punishment from the day they step into politics and they have to return all taxpayers’ hard earned monies and also unlocked the cpf. It’s our monies .. we need to have it back instantly by a new govt to step in and crucified all these current tyrant evil garhment.
Actually only few will actually watch. Suggest to make a poll to confirm.
Dear President,
You must do something. It is your responsibility. You are the most highly paid president in the world. Please show the world that the tax payers money is well spent, on you!
In the USA,even a revered grand old man like GREENSPAN can be hauled back for SENATE COMIITEE hearings and that is after his retirement!
We don’t even have enough room for opposite views in current Parliament hearings before passing an important Bill.
LOOOONG WAY TO GO!
Even though I, ah kow don’t know what ang mo(slang slang one) were talking about. But I do know these are real and live parliament debates that these truely democratic countries are all about !!!!
Shame on you, all papies !!!!!
#@$%^&*@#!$%@#
I think Singaporean would want to be more involve in the politics. In the 50s and 60s the political environmnet is much more vibrant but after PAP took over, it has become very heavy-handed and the scare tactics of ISA has made people from getting too involved in the politics. Over the years, the passion has dwindles especially when PAP sues and jails opposition members for slandering which was very much questionable.
The parliament sessions throughout the years is just for show since not many MPs will challenge PAP. They fear their rice bowls will be affected and rather keep mum. PAP are accustomed to the easy, no-grill sessions in the parliament and thus nothing concrete will be debated since most of the issues are decided.
Thus, laziness and sloppiness set in during parliament. But still MPs need to wayang abit to show they “contributed” something. We will need to vote in more oppositions to change the disgracing parliamentary representation that will truly be the voice of average singaporeans, instead of the tail-wagging puppies of the Lee family.
My guess is it won’t be long before pap increase the number of mps allowed, maybe citing the increase in population as reason, but most probably so that they can easily hold majority in parliament..
Just imagine, if total number of mps increased to 100, opposition will need to fill 34 just to deny pap 2/3 majority..
Now, with just 84 seats, we will need at least 28 opposition to deny pap 2/3 majority, and already we have problems getting that many oppositions candidates (there were 47 opp candidates in GE 2006)..
So people, coming GE, we need to vote as many opp candidates in to parliament as possible..
What’s wrong with the fighting, table/chair throwing and the interesting scuffles that we see in the parliamental sessions of those real democratic countries?
Embarrassing? uncivilized?
Japanese does it, taiwanese does it, Korean does it ….., and these are genuine and great democratic courtries !!!
Now look at our pathetic(yesmen, ballscarriers…) and daft papies in our wayang parliament “debates”.
@#$%%$#@@#$#$
Well, if all the 82 dummies can perform such comical wayangs,not bad already! I suppose they must have a few rehearsals inorder to produce such ‘high’ quality wayang!
Even Hollywood would be put to shame!!
Opposing views are a necessary price to pay to sieve out the pros and cons of issues in this increasingly complex world. A lively debate in parliament with differing views is necessary for true solutions.
Whao.. These videos have definitely open my eyes, enrich my mind and free my spirit. Now I know how much we suck..
This is the kind of parliament we have. The atmosphere is like a class of students uninterested in the lesson, rotting away. It’s really worrying that our parliament is like that. So what if PAP ministers have high academic qualification? Bunch of clowns.
But I thought our SM said that if we want to talk about politics,(remember Dr Catherine Lim?), we have to set up a political party or join one?
I think I can speak better than most of the MPs but I do not think I can speak better than LKY, so, never mind, I will pass…
Sg’s phony sideshow gov won’t even be able to string a simple sentence in any of those parliaments.
Singapore ‘parliament’ looks more like an Emperor’s briefing session in Ancient China’s Forbidden City. lmao Nobody wants to say the wrong thing and get their heads chopped off.
Singaporean p/s have confident in yourself,Nothing is difficult if U have the determination. LKY is fxxk up fellow.
U can see during the argument in court with Dr Chee. He had nothing in his challenging exchange of word. just abuse his power talking sacratic remark, The judge just ingore for contemp of court.So what is his credibility.Empty Vessel make the Most noise. Have determination in yourself.
To these MPs, keeping their bank accounts full is more important than doing the right thing or speaking up for the people.
You need to make some corrections. Costello was Treasurer, not the opposition leader in 2007. That was when his party, the Liberal Party, was in power. Rudd was still in opposition. Costello was NEVER the leader of the opposition after Rudd won the election.
Secondly, you have seemingly brought out the examples of countries using the Westminster system. What about other European systems?
Writer forgot to mention one MP who ask Health Minister how he managed to look so youthful.
All these PAP MPs are they not ashamed of their own behaviour in parliament?
The PAP must not be afraid of debate if it is sure of its own competence. Competition and opposition in any line can only sharpen the truly good.
It’s really suck to pay all these MPs and nothing done for the native Singaporean.
@Dexter on Wed, 17th Mar 2010 8:36 pm
Singapore’s system is modelled after the Westminister system. These videos provide a glimpse of what our Parliament should be.
But you are right in that more variety never hurt anyone.
Have you watched the Costello video making fun of Peter Garrett?
Keating is the greatest!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roIeVEf5alk
VerySian on Wed, 17th Mar 2010 3:59 pm
“We do not need to pay all these ‘pigs’ in such an obscene pay.”
We did not pay them. They pay themselves with the taxpayers money.
__________________________________________________
President on Wed, 17th Mar 2010 4:21 pm
Dear President,
“You must do something. It is your responsibility. You are the most highly paid president in the world. Please show the world that the tax payers money is well spent, on you!”
Is the President of the Republic of Singapore still around?
______________________________________________________
When the stomach are bloated, the brain will sleep.
You can watch “The Commons” on Skynews
Or you can watch United Kingdon parliament website
The Tories is 37% as for the Labor 30%
BBC is more in tune with Labor, its suck!!!
Let cut those unfair funding from the BBC, yes
You can watch American politics on C-SPAN website
The Dems and the Republican on healthcare hot topics
Or you can watch on Foxnews
Don’t trust CNN, money face that sold their soul to the devil
Singapore politics, never watch it.
Nominated MP can do all the blah blah blah, but cannot vote cannot veto, what is point of arguing so hard for?
All the talks but zero changes
Our house has only opposition 2 MP? what a waste of time, I rather follow American or British Politics
when i see UK Parliament … i really shake head how Singapore is
The opposing view can also be said abt the opposition.. can they hold an arguement non-scripted and debate in depth like these other foreign opposition. In fact who is the leader of the opposition? Who is in our Shadow Cabinet?
I remember the days when JBJ could take on Parliament single handedly. can any of the opposition do that today without sounding flat..politics is abt the battle of views and who can rule the country..not abt appearing in wet markets to hold babies during election period, selling newsletters, collecting donations, only to disappear when the last vote is tallied.
>>>Cameron would probably be bankrupted or detained under the ISA had he tried to embarrass the Singapore Prime Minister like this.
No. But his performance bonus will be affected which makes these ministers reluctant to speak out against the very people who will be determining their performance bonus during performance appraisals.
It is the same in other sectors of the civil service. For instance, in a govt school, a principal can initiate a totally ridiculous policy (extending night lessons for JC students beyond 9pm despite their lessons starting at 8am in the morning) but no teacher will be willing to rebut her because guess what, who is the one grading your performance during appraisal and would it be wise to piss her off?
This performance bonus (totally unnecessary in my opinion) has created a fear or general reluctance of speaking out against your reporting officers and superiors.
The civil service would do well to create an atmosphere of generating ideas, constructive criticism and allowing 360 feedback like some public corporations do.
*mods please delete earlier message*
>>>Cameron would probably be bankrupted or detained under the ISA had he tried to embarrass the Singapore Prime Minister like this.
No. But his performance bonus will be affected and this is could be what makes ministers or MPs reluctant to speak out against the very people who will be determining their performance bonus during performance appraisals.
It is the same in other sectors of the civil service. In a govt school for instance, a principal can initiate a totally ridiculous policy (extending night lessons for JC students beyond 9pm despite their lessons starting at 8am in the morning) but no teacher will be willing to rebut her because guess what, who is the one grading your performance during appraisal and would it be really wise to piss her off?
This performance bonus issue (totally unnecessary in my opinion) has created a fear or general reluctance of speaking out against reporting officers and superiors.
The civil service would do well to create an atmosphere of encouraging constructive criticism and allowing 360 feedback like some private corporations do.
In life,there are exceptions,sometimes,you pay top dollar for inferior ‘donkeys’!
simonsays.
You are absolutely right.
Even the so-called oppositions read script.
No direct eye contact (the eyes was on the script). Sometimes can’t even understand what they are reading. It need the TV presenter to interprete/misinterprete.
Mr JB Jeyaratnam was a real opposition MP.
@simonsays
You may have had a point if our political process and legal system wasnt such a farce.
JBJ had been made a very effective example of, Dr Chee likewise.
What is clear that open confrontation is suicide here, it is not surprising that few dare to engage in what you propose, or perhaps they have elected to take a different approach.
—————————————————————
In any case the path the PAP has set us on is to certain disaster.
No social safety net (NOT welfare), spiraling household debt, accelerating inflation, regressive taxation and liberal immigration policies, any one of these alone have the potential to destroy our social fabric or economy, let alone all of them together.
So it is likely a matter of when not if they are voted out, the question is whether there is anything left to salvage at that time.
All those MPs who came in by the back door will be torn to pieces.The past 20 years was too smooth sailing for the PAP in parliament. When the opposition comes on board, O mine you, they’re going to fix the PAP!!! Quickly vote them in!!
Spend all his time “fixing them”
Well, only in a single child family this kid will talk that way
He can’t work with others to produced results, He can’t convince others with different views to go along with him.
Simply put, he had problem sharing his toys with others kids
The 1st things that comes to mind is, I will need to fix them
majority of the people are brought up to just listen and obey the gov. and take whatever thrown is at them.nothing has change and don’t expect any changes if people are not united and not allow to protest.everyone is afraid except for a few brave ones like the Chee and Jeya.
@Admin
Kevin is not the PM, in that video.
Peter not the opposition leader in this video.
Please change.
For the sake of self preservation, PAP will not allow anymore opposition MPs in Parliament except for the token 2. If one can make a good living easily, why would one create more work for oneself? Since one can also decide on one’s own pay, isn’t this the best job in the world. Get astronomical pay with zero accountability. If there is a list of best jobs in the world, this will rank right up there!
Let’s me just put it blandly, the PAPayas are quite short-sighted, they have rope in a lot of rubbish MP.
The Old Man Lee will definitely sugar-coat whatever policies his Junior Lee roll out.
So, we should take in whatever the Old Man Lee and his junior dished out to us.
I will tell you, my fellow Singaporeans, we have not seen the true nastiest ways of the PAP until they lost BIG TIME in election. Only then will we see how Junior “fix” the opposition MPs.
These are not good people, all the key positions in the government, GLC are either hold by their cousin, in-laws, kakis. So this is not true meritocracy but nepotism in disguise!
Sorry typo error, slip of the finger.. re-submit
Let’s me just put it blandly, the PAPayas are quite short-sighted, they have rope in a lot of rubbish MP.
The Old Man Lee will definitely sugar-coat whatever policies his Junior Lee roll out.
So, we should NOT take in whatever the Old Man Lee and his junior dished out to us.
I will tell you, my fellow Singaporeans, we have not seen the true nastiest ways of the PAP until they lost BIG TIME in election. Only then will we see how Junior “fix” the opposition MPs.
These are not good people, all the key positions in the government, GLC are either hold by their cousin, in-laws, kakis. So this is not true meritocracy but nepotism in disguise!
so few MP attending the parliament and the hall is nearly empty.
This is wastage of space and electricity.
Should have carry out in a small meeting room instead.
State controlled media came to their ‘rescue’ in CNA by ‘educating’ the audience what is sleep deprivation this morning.
The Education system play a part too.
President on Wed, 17th Mar 2010 4:21 pm wrote:
“Dear President,
You must do something. It is your responsibility. You are the most highly paid president in the world. Please show the world that the tax payers money is well spent, on you!”
Sorry, not at home! On a private visit to India. Will be back on 21st March. JY Pillay will be acting President.
Vote in the opposition or should I say the next ruling party and cut off all fruitless debates in the parliament. It makes no sense for tax payers to pay so much for nonsense. It’s a mockery for a so-call first world country, or are we first world at all?
Is it possible for TR to show us the “segments” of “parlimentary debate” on television? It would make for a better comparision between the various countries. A still may be percieved as a bias account. Make sure your arguement is sound…
Replying to ……Singaporean on Thu, 18th Mar 2010 10:47 am
On my way back, can I get some roti prata or chapati for you?
Let’s not forget the GPCs (Govt Parliamentary Committees)…
Spending time fixing them?
Let name “Asian country” that had work well with opposition party. Japan 2nd largest economy in the world, Hong Kong, Taiwan produce LCD television and cellphones, South Korea with Samsung No.1 seller in Amercian overtaking Motorla. Do you see opposition party getting in the way of economical progress?
Do you their Govt. spend a lot of time fixing up the opposition parties?
Spending time fixing them up
Now we go on to USA,
Bill Clinton, faces strong opposition from the opposition Republican party. Yet, Bill Clinton American never had it better, USA was booming they write off those debts and created surplus. Bill Clinton could reach out to those Moderate Conservative to pass those bills
Ronald Reagan did the same with the Moderate Liberal Dems reaching out to the Demorcatic Party.
It is all about perennial persuasion, influnced and appeal, charismatic people, verbal techniques and negotiation. About common goals, putting national interest ahead of party differences. How Obama win people who had different views point over to his side through communication and not fixing them up.
If you even can’t convinced your fellow people, how are you going to work with others to go along with you? Like China, Arabs, Russian, Americans, Europeans…that don’t see eye to eye with you on certain issue??? Fixed them up too???
Wow, thanks TR for the eye-opening and enlightening videos.
I never knew 1st worlds parliamentary live debates so challenging wan. How come singapore not like this wan?
Did these countries collapsed because of the opposition mp’s?
oh, i forgot, these countries are what people in singapore generally regard as more 1st world than …
qussl3
Dare I say it but why is it some have been singled out n not others? could it be they are needdling them where it irritates them as compared to someone who when challenged to state whether the Home Minister shld resign had no answer..do u see that happening in other Parliaments?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94lW6Y4tBXs
Watch this.
EU parliament.
Daniel Hannan a MP for the EU Parliament lashing out at PM Gordon Brown during his visit to the EP.
I’m so fed up with the wayang party.