Singapore govt rejects opposition MPs' electoral boundary suggestions, accusations of gerrymand

Progress Singapore Party (PSP) Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Hazel Poa raised a motion in Parliament on Wednesday (Aug 7) to reform the process by which electoral boundaries are determined. Among her proposals: Narrowing the range of number of voters per MP to ensure fair representation, a minimum time frame of three months between the finalising of electoral boundaries and the dissolution of Parliament, as well as several ways to enhance independence in the composition, appointment and reporting structure of the EBRC. Workers' Party (WP) MPs Pritam Singh and Jamus Lim also spoke, with Mr Singh asking if there is gerrymandering in Singapore. Minister-in-Charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing rejected the suggestions, saying the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) works in the interest of voters, and not political parties. “The government will oppose the motion given its false premises and suggestions that the electoral boundary review process and our public officers who serve on it, have not been transparent or fair,” he said. Ms Poa called for a division at the end of the debate, and the House voted with 76 rejecting the motion. All 10 opposition MPs - eight from the WP and two PSP Non-Constituency MPs - voted for it. https://cna.asia/3WTfLfW 00:00 - Hazel Poa's speech 26:11 - Jamus Lim's speech 36:24 - Pritam Singh's speech 47:47 - Chan Chun Sing's speech 1:11:53 - Leong Mun Wai seeks clarification 1:17:44 - Chan Chun Sing responds 1:20:52 - Jamus Lim seeks clarification 1:22:04 - Chan Chun Sing responds 1:26:37 - Jamus Lim provides further clarification on his speech 1:27:17 - Pritam Singh seeks clarification 1:30:02 - Chan Chun Sing responds 1:32:56 - Leong Mun Wai seeks further clarification 1:34:55 - Chan Chun Sing responds 1:37:35 - Leong Mun Wai responds to Chan Chun Sing 1:40:07 - Chan Chun Sing responds 1:45:48 - Hazel Poa's wrap up speech 1:58:12 - Vote on motion