Nominated Member of Parliament R. Dhinakaran said on Monday he will be seeking a second term, becoming the second NMP to announce his intentions to do so after university don Eugene Tan.

Mr Dhinakaran, a first-term NMP, told the Straits Times that he wants to continue championing the interests of professions and businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) going through a tough time with Singapore's drive to restructure the economy and raise productivity.

"I had a very meaningful first term, and as an NMP I appreciate the opportunity to speak for the professions and business community," the managing director of lifestyle and fashion retailer Jay Gee Melwani Group said.

"But restructuring efforts have not been completed, and SMEs are not fully ready yet. In the interim, many businesses are suffering. This is a time I should voice this out, if there is an opportunity given."

Six of the current nine NMPs have said that will be stepping down after their two-and-a-half-year term ends in August.

Singapore Institute of International Affairs executive director Nicholas Fang remains undecided.

The hunt is currently on to find new NMPs. Parliament has invited members public to submit names and they can do so until nominations close on May 20 at 4.30pm.