Speaking during the Committee of Supply debates on Mar. 7, Leader of the House Indranee Rajah emphasised that Members of Parliament (MPs) should be treated with "dignity and respect".

She agreed with the concerns of Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Raj Joshua Thomas, who said that there are "a lot of complaints" about MPs on social media and the "nastiness" hurled at them is often at a "personal level".

"This is something that, sadly, MPs and future MPs must come to accept," Thomas said. "An inevitable outcome of an open society that is highly connected to the internet and a populace that is opinionated."

Suggests people post positive accounts of their MPs

In his speech, Thomas pointed out that there are many complaints against MPs online, and there is much "griping and sniping".

"So how do we better showcase the good work that our MPs do without MPs being accused of ownself praise ownself?"

Thomas encouraged Singaporeans to post positive accounts of their MPs online, like a Google review, or that grassroots organisations could also help spread the word on positive cases.

"I do not think that our MPs do what they do to get praise, but just like anyone else, it does not harm to give them a pat on the back when they do a good job, and I'm sure they will appreciate it."

People should be realistic about expectations

In addition, Thomas emphasised that people should be realistic about what makes a "good politician", as an "impossibly high bar" will deter many good candidates from joining politics.

To him, the "cardinal criteria" to be a politician is to have a genuine passion to serve and have a high level of competence, not "infallibility".

"MPs, like everyone else, have flaws, fears and doubts and will make mistakes from time to time. I think a candidate who admits and owns his mistakes and who shows he has learned from them and become a better person can still be a good candidate."

Thomas also mentioned that "one of the biggest deterrents" to entering politics is the loss of privacy.

"It is absolutely critical that we do not allow the private lives of MPs to be politicised."

He suggested that political parties should have a code of ethics that prohibits the exploiting of MPs' families or personal lives for political gain.

Politicians are humans too

In response to Thomas' speech, Indranee agreed that politicians cannot be infallible as they are "humans as well" but it is very important that MPs have high standards of integrity.

"Occasionally, some mistakes were made and those would have to be dealt with. But where we have to draw a bright, white line is where integrity, honesty is concerned. Because the people, our citizens, must be able to trust us."

Indranee added that she echoed Raj's call for MPs to be treated with dignity and respect.

"Politicians do become targets, and when they become targets, it makes it very difficult for them to carry out their duties. It takes a toll on them, but it also takes a toll on society," she said.

Indranee stated that "the biggest and strongest antidote to harsh comments" is through support.

She called for good, decent people to stand up against and give encouragement and support when a person, team, group or government has done something well and to let them know they have done the right thing.

"That is what makes it worthwhile at the end of the day, to know that you've actually made a difference to people's lives and to communities and made Singapore a better place."

Top photo via MCI/YouTube