Public invited to nominate NMPs

SINGAPORE - Members of the public have been invited to put up candidates for nomination as Nominated Members of Parliament.

A statement from the Clerk of Parliament yesterday said nominees would be considered by a special parliamentary select committee for appointment by President Ong Teng Cheong.

The six NMPs' current two-year term will end in September. The next batch of NMPs will be the fourth since the inception of the scheme in 1990 to provide alternative views in Parliament.

The Constitution allows up to six NMPs to be nominated for two-year terms. They can vote on all matters except money and Constitution bills.

The statement yesterday reiterated that only those who qualified for appointment should be submitted for consideration.

Candidates should be:

* Singapore citizens; * At least 21 years old on the day of nomination; * In the current electoral register; * Resident in Singapore at least 10 years prior to nomination; * Not constitutionally disqualified from being an MP. Candidates should also be people who have brought honour to the country, or rendered distinguished public service, or distinguished themselves in arts, culture, sciences, industry, business, professions, social or community services or the labour movement, it added. Submissions should be made using forms available from the Clerk of Parliament at Parliament House. Each form should be signed by a proposer, a seconder and at least four other persons, all of whom must be in the current electoral register. The closing date is July 16.

This article was published on April 15 in The Straits Times.

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