Under Constitution, NMPs Can Step Down, Run in Elections: Shanmugam

Under Singapore's Constitution, a Nominated MP can step down to join a political party and run for election, Minister for Law K. Shanmugam said on March 31.

- Tay Hong Yi

"But we must make sure, of course, that while they are NMPs, they are independent, and Parliament has got to choose men and women of character and who carry themselves properly," he stressed.

He added: "The fact that they can contribute subsequently, or prior, is something that was always understood and provided (for)."

Mr Shanmugam was speaking outside Ahmad Ibrahim Mosque in Sembawang Road after a series of community visits to mosques and prayer sites in Yishun on Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

He is also Minister for Home Affairs and the anchor minister for Nee Soon GRC.

His comments come after NMPs Raj Joshua Thomas and Syed Harun Alhabsyi resigned about a year before their terms ended. They have emerged as PAP new faces recently.

The resignations sparked comments that a scheme meant to ensure independent voices free from party politics in Parliament would be undermined.

Said Mr Shanmugam: "If you look at the debates and the speeches around that time, including the background papers that were put forward, Mr Lee Kuan Yew talked about, potentially, NMPs becoming ministers.