Calls from former NMPs to relook scheme at event marking its 35th year

The non-partisan nature of the Nominated Member of Parliament scheme should be protected, and those selected should reflect diverse views, said former NMPs.

These views were aired by three former NMPs at a panel discussion on the scheme’s future during an event marking its 35th anniversary on Sept 18.

Former NMP Laurence Lien suggested a cooling-off period before any NMP stands for election, regardless of whether they contest under a party banner or as an independent.

He said that while personal political views are unavoidable, those in the scheme represent the “whole of Singapore” and the public expects non-partisanship.

“If you are partisan, then it destroys the credibility of institutions,” he said.

Another former NMP Kuik Shiao-Yin said that NMPs are able to raise issues in Parliament without worrying about being electable.

She added that to be relevant, especially to young people, NMPs should speak “like a normal human being about things that matter”, and that people will pay attention if they do.

Lawyer Chandra Mohan K. Nair, another former NMP, said the impartiality of the scheme must be upheld while one is in the role.

He said in his time in Parliament between 2001 and 2004, he was asked by opposition MPs – Singapore Democratic Alliance’s Mr Chiam See Tong and the Workers’ Party’s Mr Low Thia Khiang – to join them, but declined.

The panellists were responding to questions from the audience and the results from a nationally representative survey of 500 Singaporeans on the scheme which showed that while 71 per cent of respondents agreed that NMPs provide alternative voices, only about a third said the scheme was relevant.

The panel was held at online publication Rice Media’s office in Ann Siang and was moderated by Ms Anthea Ong, a social entrepreneur who was an NMP from 2018 to 2020 in Singapore’s 13th Parliament.

Concerns arose earlier in 2025 about the scheme’s non-partisan nature after two NMPs from the 14th Parliament – Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi and Mr Raj Joshua Thomas – resigned as NMPs and joined the ruling party PAP ahead of the 2025 General Election.

Dr Syed Harun, a psychiatrist, then stood under the PAP banner and was elected MP for Nee Soon GRC. He will assume his roles as Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Education and for National Development from Oct 1. Mr Thomas did not contest in the election. 

The Constitution does not explicitly bar NMPs from being members of political parties, and Dr Syed Harun later said that he was “absolutely” independent during his stint.

In the online survey, conducted by research company OPPi in August, 63.8 per cent of respondents said it was appropriate for NMPs to join electoral politics after their term. This number went up to 74.6 per cent if the former NMP were to run as an independent. 

Almost half of the respondents also supported the consideration of a cooling-off period before the NMPs do so.

Slightly over half also wanted greater public involvement in selecting NMPs.

NMPs are appointed by the President on the recommendation of a Special Select Committee of Parliament chaired by the Speaker.

The NMP scheme was introduced in 1990 to ensure a wide representation of views in Parliament.

Nominees should have performed distinguished public service, brought honour to Singapore or distinguished themselves in their respective fields.

Up to nine NMPs can be appointed at any one time for a 2½-year term, and typically two batches are appointed per term of Parliament.

The 15th Parliament, which opened on Sept 5, has not started its selection process for NMPs.

The panellists also discussed whether the scheme should be kept, reformed or abolished. 

Ms Kuik, a writer and founder of Common Ground Civic Centre & Consultancy who was an NMP from 2014 to 2018, said the scheme is worth keeping as she feels the ruling party is interested in what NMPs have to say as a barometer of public opinion.

Mr Lien, a philanthropist, reckoned the scheme should be abolished, though he still feels there is value in independent representation.

Ms Ong has opened a second round of the survey on the scheme to the public until Oct 18. 

A second report, which may involve academics, will be produced based on this expanded dataset, she said. 

Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction.

ADV: <Newly published> Division of Matrimonial Assets in Singapore: An Empirical Study Owner of service road at Parklane mall ‘unreasonable’ for charging garbage trucks access fees: Judge