I REFER to the letter, "NMPs can contribute more to debates with longer term" (my paper, April 7).

I do not deny that Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) have performed their role well.

However, I do not agree that the current 21/2-year term for NMPs should be extended to five years.

One of the reasons is that NMPs are not voted in by the people and do not represent any constituency.

In short, they are non-partisan and are also not accountable to the electorate.

In any case, the law allows for an NMP to apply for a second term should he or she wish to do so.

Singapore has no dearth of capable private- and public-sector candidates who are as well-qualified as the current crop of NMPs for the post.

The NMP scheme should not be confined to familiar faces.

There ought to be room for more Singaporeans to show their mettle and political prowess.

To paraphrase two-term NMP Loo Choon Yong: They have done their duty and had their say.

It is about time others had a chance.

Mr Sebastian Tan

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