Panel to pick NMP candidates in July

 Panel to pick NMP candidates in July

22 of 36 names submitted were from general public

A PANEL will meet next month to pick candidates for the new batch of Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs).

It will go through 36 names that were put forward, of which 22 were from the public.

The remaining 14 were from seven functional groups representing organisations from different sectors of society, said the Clerk of Parliament's office in a statement yesterday. Fewer people applied this round, down from 50 in 2011 and 46 in 2009. The drop was mainly due to a smaller number who applied individually from the general public.

The Special Select Committee is made up of eight MPs, including Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang, and is chaired by Parliament Speaker Halimah Yacob.

It has already sought the views and comments of MPs on the hopefuls, and obtained their referees' views, the statement said.

It will meet next month to consider eligible candidates, and when finalised, the list will be forwarded to the President for his appointment. The individuals vie for up to nine NMP posts. Those chosen will serve a 21/2-year term.

The term of the current batch of NMPs ends in August.

The public had about one month, until the closing date of May 20, to submit names of potential candidates. The search drew applicants such as union leader K. Karthikeyan, former national sailor Ben Tan and blogger Roy Ngerng, while two current NMPs are seeking a second term.

charyong@sph.com.sg


This article was first published on June 24, 2014.
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