Eight New Nominated Members of Parliament Appointed in Singapore

Eight new Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) will join Singapore’s legislative body, with business leader Mark Lee Kean Phi returning for a second term. The announcement came from the Office of the Clerk of Parliament on January 2, 2024. The new appointments will be formalized by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam on January 8, 2024, with the NMPs taking their oaths during the next parliamentary session later this month.

The selection process for these nominees was initiated on October 8, 2023, when the Special Select Committee invited the public and functional groups to submit names for consideration. The submission window closed on November 6, 2023, resulting in a total of 57 proposals. The committee carefully evaluated all eligible candidates before finalizing the nine individuals who will serve in this capacity.

In a statement, Seah Kian Peng, Speaker of Parliament and chairman of the selection committee, praised the quality of applicants. He stated, “Having to determine the maximum of nine NMPs to nominate is challenging and we deliberated very carefully on all the candidates. We are satisfied that these nine nominees meet the constitutional requirements, demonstrated by their distinguished contributions to society and in their respective fields.”

The diversity of the new members is expected to enhance parliamentary debates. Indranee Rajah, Leader of the House and a member of the committee, welcomed the new cohort, emphasizing their substantial contributions to their professions and communities. “I am confident that their diverse expertise and experience will enrich the discussions in Parliament as we chart Singapore’s path forward in an uncertain and disrupted world,” she remarked.

Rajah acknowledged the competitive nature of the selection process, stating, “It was a challenging task to select from the pool of many highly qualified candidates who applied. We wish to thank and express our appreciation to all applicants for the NMP position and are greatly encouraged by their interest to serve.”

The inclusion of these new NMPs aims to bring varied perspectives to legislative discussions, reinforcing the importance of community representation in Singapore’s governance. As the country navigates complex challenges ahead, the contributions of these individuals are anticipated to play a significant role in shaping policies and addressing the needs of Singaporeans.