Don't ask questions just to 'clock numbers', Speaker tells S'pore MPs

Singaporeans can expect more debate in the upcoming 15th Parliament, with today's uncertain world and the need for more policies to tackle the attendant challenges, and more MPs in the House.

- Ng Wei Kai

But this does not mean that parliamentary sittings must go on for longer, as what is important is the quality of the debate, said Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng.

Noting a trend of more parliamentary questions being filed in the previous term of Parliament, Mr Seah sounded a note of caution against having this become a numbers game.

"I hope we don't get to a point where MPs are filing questions for the sake of clocking numbers – I think that is not necessary and not very productive," he said in a July 1 interview with The Straits Times about the role of Speaker, and his plans if elected.

On June 20, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced that the Government intended to propose Mr Seah's election as Speaker when Parliament reopens on Sept 5.

Mr Seah has served as Singapore's 11th Speaker since 2023.

Mr Seah said he sees his role as helping to take the quality of debate in Parliament to the next level, which can be achieved if MPs "have done their homework and know the dos and don'ts (of Parliament's Standing Orders)".

This has become more important with more MPs in the House, he added.

The 15th Parliament will have 97 elected MPs and two Non-Constituency MPs (NCMPs) for a total of 99, up from 93 elected MPs and two NCMPs previously.

The 14th Parliament had set new records on the number of sittings, ministerial statements delivered and other kinds of speeches.

"Each hour spent in Parliament, if everyone turns up, is 100 manhours... which is why we do want to make sure time is spent productively for everyone," said the former labour MP.

To help new MPs get up to speed, Parliament has started to hold orientation briefings for them.

Mr Seah, who joined politics in 2006 and continues to be an MP for the Braddell Heights ward of Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, had some guidance for his colleagues: Focus on representing the people to improve their lives, and not playing to the gallery.