Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong spoke in Parliament today (Nov 8) about the amendments to the Elected Presidency (EP).

In his speech, PM Lee focused on two key points: 1) EP as a stabiliser in Singapore's political system; and 2) the need for the office of the Presidency to be multi-racial.

1. The Elected President as an important stabiliser in Singapore's political system

Firstly, PM Lee explored three alternatives and highlighted their drawbacks.

Option 1: Non-Elected President, Custodial Power?

No, because a non-elected President will find it hard to say no to an elected government with democratic mandate.

Option 2: Non-Elected President, Powers Vested in the Council of Presidential Advisers?

No, because if the CPA members are unelected, they will have the same problem saying no as an unelected President who has to say no to an elected government.

If the CPA members are elected, it will mean that Singapore would have elections for six, eight or ten Presidential Advisers, meaning that the problem will be amplified.

Option 3: Non-elected President, purely ceremonial role before 1990?

No, because Parliament will have unrestricted power to do as it pleases — no safeguard, no stabiliser, no fault tolerance.

Hence, he concluded that the reasons of having the EP as a stabiliser are 1) the prospect of a veto from the President has "lessened the temptation for political parties to promise the world to voters" in general elections; and 2) it ensures that the political system is stable and yet does not risk political gridlock.

2. The need for the office of the Presidency to be multiracial

PM Lee said that among all the changes in the Bill, "the one which we thought hardest about, and where the most is at stake, is the question of ensuring multiracial representation" in the EP.

This is because the decision goes right to the core of Singaporeans' fundamental belief in a multi-racial society.

He gave three reasons why this was important:

- Firstly, the President, as head of state, is the symbol of our nation. If the President, who is the symbol of a multi-racial nation, always comes from the same race, he or she will cease to be a credible symbol of our nation.

- Secondly, among Singapore's closest neighbours (Malaysia and Indonesia), race and religion are hot political issues.

- Thirdly, Singapore continues to worry about how external events (terrorist attacks) and influences will affect Singapore's social cohesion if race matters are neglected.

3. PM Lee shared the government's considerations on how the hiatus-triggered model will be implemented.

PM Lee said he noted that some people have objected, saying this arrangement goes against the principle of meritocracy.

In response to these concerns, he explained that 1) a candidate in a reserved election must still meet the same qualifying criteria; and that 2) the symbolic role of the EP is just as important as the custodial role.

PM Lee announced that the changes to the Presidential Elections Act will be enacted next January.

He said his government has also taken the Attorney-General’s advice on the matter, and will start counting from the first President who exercised the powers of the Elected President — that being the late Wee Kim Wee.

Top photo from Tony Tan Facebook.

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