Order Order | My First Budget As Speaker
26 Mar 2024
Tossing yu sheng with PM Lee and Parliamentary Colleagues just before the Budget Statement was delivered.
A BUDGET FOR OUR FUTURE
Time flies. We are already well into the Year of the Dragon, and I have just presided over my first Budget and Committee of Supply (COS) Debates as Speaker. Over nine long days, Members discussed matters of national importance, and initiatives to strengthen Singapore as we face the challenges ahead. I am heartened that both sides of the House have explicitly supported the budget.
Being in the Chair meant that, for the first time in my 18 years in Parliament, I made no speeches or filed any cuts during the debates. Instead, I delivered my first COS wrap-up speech. The Standing Orders of Parliament do not require this, but the wrap-up has become a tradition. I noted that more is not necessarily better, whether in length or quantity of speeches. Several Members made their points this year briefly and sharply. I continue to urge my Parliamentary colleagues to make use of their time allocation effectively by keeping their clarifications focused, and staying on the topic.
It so happened that Budget Day this year was on 人日 (rén rì), the day of Chinese New Year regarded as everyone’s birthday. And so, I took the opportunity to organise a simple yu sheng toss just before DPM Lawrence Wong delivered the Budget Statement. I am glad many Members including PM, the two DPMs and also Leader of the Opposition could join in for this celebration before tackling the tough work of evaluating the budget together.
Delivering the COS round-up speech
Apart from Budget and COS, 2024 got off to a busy start. In six short weeks, the House debated three significant motions: a motion on Building an Inclusive and Safe Digital Society, a motion on advancing mental health filed by the Government Parliamentary Committee for Health, and a motion on the management of Singapore’s reserves. I also chaired a Select Committee on the Society of Saint Maur Incorporation (Amendment) Bill, which updates an old piece of legislation concerning the Infant Jesus Sisters, who set up the CHIJ schools in Singapore.
DIALOGUES WITH OTHER PARLIAMENTS
Parliament’s diplomatic work did not slow down either. I met with the Ambassador of Kazakhstan in Singapore Mr Askar Kuttykadam, as well as the Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties (JSCOT) of Parliament of Australia, Mr Josh Wilson.
With Otsuji Hidehisa, President of Japan’s House of Councillors, and colleagues from both our Parliaments.
In November 2023, I had the privilege of making my first official trip as Speaker, at the invitation of my counterpart, Mr Otsuji Hidehisa, President of Japan’s House of Councillors. I was accompanied by MPs Lim Wee Kiak, Darryl David, He Ting Ru and Rachel Ong. The trip was originally scheduled to take place in 2021 but was postponed due to exigencies of work. While there, we visited a number of Singaporean businesses who had set up shop there, such as pre-school operator Eton House, a fintech start-up Pixcels and also our famous nightclub Zouk - and no, we did not dance 😊
Chairing a session at the 27th Commonwealth Speakers & Presiding Officers Conference in Kampala.
At the start of 2024 I attended the 27th Commonwealth Speakers & Presiding Officers Conference in Kampala, Uganda along with counterparts from over 30 countries. I took the chair for the opening session on climate change and environment, and participated in a session on building diverse and inclusive Parliaments. I also shared with fellow delegates on how Singapore deals with online misinformation even as we embrace the new norms of technology.
CONNECTING WITH THE YOUTH
Q&A session at OneSingapore.sg Model United Nations (OPMUN) at Eunoia Junior College.
One of the ironies of being Speaker of Parliament, is that I speak the least in the chamber. I am glad that I still have many opportunities share my thoughts and hear from others, such as at the OneSingapore.sg Model United Nations (OPMUN). It is an annual youth conference, now in its 9th year. I gave the keynote address and took questions on national identity and politics. I am glad that young people are taking a keen interest in these matters.
THE TEAM BEHIND THE SCENES
A festive lunch with my staff, before the action-packed Budget and COS period.
People often think of Parliament as consisting only of Members of Parliament, but behind and supporting them is a professional and dedicated team that keeps things running. Over the last few months, we have continued to build our capabilities and to esnure we are always ready and prepared, conducted a security and emergency preparedness awareness workshop, a fire drill, and participated in this year’s Total Defence Day exercise.
Being relatively new in my role, I took the year-end festive period to get to know my staff. Through my work career, I have been blessed with having a good team with me and I have always believed in the importance of ‘face time’ and getting to know your colleagues better. So amongst other things, I started to orgnaise lunches with colleagues from different departments. We also had bonding activities such as visiting the newly opened Bird Paradise, and a year-end celebration which involved a coffee-making class and a Chinese New Year lunch before we embarked on the Budget debate season.
LOOKING AHEAD
2024 looks set to be another exciting and eventful year. As DPM Lawrence Wong shared in his Budget speech, we are living in a world which is more messy, dangerous and unpredictable.
As we anticipate the transition to the 4G leadership, it is even more important for all of us to stay focused and united to overcome the challenges ahead of us, and remind ourselves of our paramount duty – to serve the people of Singapore.
