On 10 February 2016, the Prime Minister’s Office announced the appointment of a Constitutional Commission to study and make recommendations on specific aspects of the Elected Presidency.
As part of its review, the Commission has invited Singaporeans to submit their views on changes they want to see to the following three areas:
- the criteria that qualify a person to be a candidate in the presidential election;
- provisions to make sure racial minority candidates stand a fair chance to be elected President ; and
- the role and composition of the Council of Presidential Advisors in governing how the President exercises his powers.[1]
The deadline for submissions to the Commission is 21 March 2016.
With the view of encouraging civic participation and thoughtful deliberation, a few individuals led by opposition politician Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, held a Forum to discuss and engage views on the terms of reference set out by the Commission.
NUS Law Professor Kevin Y L Tan[2] who spoke at the forum, gave a historical overview of the office of the President and its evolution. His presentation slides are HERE: http://on.fb.me/1SwB6V8.
[fvplayer src=”http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCqlTuqdj6k”]
The second Speaker Dr Chong Ja Ian, Assistant Professor at NUS Department of Political Science[3], discussed the institutional role of the Elected Presidency and the significance of the areas which have been identified for review by the Commission.
[fvplayer src=”http://youtube.com/watch?v=ltr7T4Fouec”]
The organisers then facilitated an open discussion at which those attending were invited to ask questions, offer their views and exchange opinions on the issues at stake for Singaporeans.
[fvplayer src=”http://youtube.com/watch?v=6NFmvOgDG-U”]
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[1] For more, see: https://www.reach.gov.sg/participate/public-consultation/constitutional-commission/constitutional-commission-secretariat/specific-aspects-of-the-elected-presidency
[2] To view Professor Kevin Y L Tan’s profile, see
https://law.nus.edu.sg/about_us/faculty/staff/profileview.asp?UserID=lawtylk
[3] To view Dr Chong Ja Ian’s profile, see http://profile.nus.edu.sg/fass/polcji/