SINGAPORE – Recent events are a reminder to MPs of their own mortality and fragility. They have shown that members are “all too human”, with not only physical but also spiritual and moral weaknesses, said newly elected Speaker Seah Kian Peng on Wednesday.

“I say this not to join with the chorus of sanctimony, but to reflect first on the need for us all to be vigilant in our personal conduct,” he added in Parliament.

He said members should be vigilant with themselves first, but also with colleagues, to hold one another to account without fear and to tell truth to power.

“I say this to point to the rules and codes of conduct which govern us all, as members of the highest rule-making body in the land, and equally, as members of political parties,” the 61-year-old added.

Mr Seah was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as his nominee for the post on July 21.

The role of Speaker had been left vacant following Mr Tan Chuan-Jin’s resignation on July 17 over an extramarital affair with former Tampines GRC MP Cheng Li Hui, who has also resigned. Mr Tan, 54, had also used “unparliamentary language” in the House following a speech by Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim.

Mr Seah is the 11th Speaker to preside over the sittings of the House. His proposer was Leader of the House Indranee Rajah, and his seconder Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC).

On Wednesday, Mr Seah reminded members that their words and work live far beyond them: “We must therefore remember and bear the weight of our office with dignity and a constant sense of duty.”

He said he looks forward with cautious optimism that even during spirited debates, members will maintain the highest standards of decorum and conduct befitting the esteemed House.

While they should debate with conviction and passion, they need to uphold the rules as parliamentarians, he added.

He said that some of his residents are concerned about his ability to raise issues affecting ordinary Singaporeans while serving as the Speaker.

He has been an MP for Marine Parade GRC since 2006, when he was first elected.

“The paradox in Parliament is that the Speaker himself or herself often does not speak,” he added.

Although his role requires him to abstain from participating in debates, he assured his residents that he will continue to advocate their concerns, and express his views on matters impacting the lives of Singaporeans and their families through alternative channels.

“I pledge to discharge my duties impartially, firmly and fairly, ensuring the orderly conduct of parliamentary business. We all share a common goal – that is, to serve the people of Singapore, and I am committed to giving my best to achieve it,” he said.

He noted that in his first parliamentary session in 2006, the Speaker then was Mr Abdullah Tarmugi, who was unanimously elected.

“Rising to speak on the occasion, (Workers’ Party MP) Mr Low Thia Khiang reminded the Speaker of the need for fairness. He said: ‘Sir, you have been re-elected again, and I believe that in your past years as Speaker of the House, your eyesight has been trained to be as sharp as a razor and to be swift as lightning, and I think we can all expect that whoever wishes to speak will catch your eye.’

“So, my first point is this: I wish to assure members on both sides of the House that I intend for my eyes to be easily caught too.”

Mr Seah previously served as Deputy Speaker between 2011 and 2016.

He is also the group chief executive of NTUC Enterprise, which includes social enterprises like supermarket chain FairPrice, NTUC LearningHub and Kopitiam.

He is making plans to step down from his current job within 2023, said Ms Indranee on Wednesday.

According to the Parliament website, the Speaker presides over the sittings of the House, and enforces the rules prescribed in the Standing Orders of Parliament for the orderly conduct of parliamentary business. 

The Speaker is overall in charge of the administration of Parliament and its Secretariat.

He also acts as the representative of the House in its relations with other Parliaments and outside bodies. He welcomes visiting dignitaries and represents Parliament at national events and during official visits abroad. 

On Wednesday, eight new Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) took their oaths of allegiance. Lawyer Raj Joshua Thomas returned for a second 2½-year term.

The nine NMPs are:

Ms Chandradas Usha Ranee, co-founder of Plural Art magazine
Mr Chua Tiang Choon Keith, executive chairman of food and beverage firm ABR Holdings
Mr Mark Lee Kean Phi, CEO of apparel company Sing Lun Holdings
Mr Ong Hua Han, assistant vice-president of Deutsche Bank
Mr Parekh Nimil Rajnikant, CEO of acquisition firm Pegasus Asia
Mr Raj Joshua Thomas, lawyer and president of the Security Association Singapore
Associate Professor Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim, head of the public safety and security programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences 
Ms See Jinli, director of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) freelancers and self-employed unit at NTUC’s administration research unit 
Dr Syed Harun Taha Alhabsyi, consultant psychiatrist. 

They were chosen out of 30 proposal forms submitted during a one-month window from March to April.