Speaker Seah Kian Peng says quality matters more than quantity as Parliament prepares for bigger debates and a record number of MPs.
Singaporeans can expect more active discussions in the upcoming 15th Parliament with more MPs, more issues to tackle, and a fast-changing world.
But Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng says it’s not just about talking more. Instead, what matters is the quality of the debate, not the length of the sessions or the number of questions asked.
“Don’t file questions just to clock numbers”
In an interview with The Straits Times, Mr Seah said he noticed more parliamentary questions being filed in the last Parliament and cautioned against treating it like a numbers game.
“I hope we don’t get to a point where MPs are filing questions for the sake of clocking numbers – that’s not productive.”
The 15th Parliament will have a record 99 MPs — 97 elected and 2 Non-Constituency MPs — up from 95 in the previous term.
To help new MPs settle in, Parliament has started orientation briefings. Mr Seah, who has been an MP since 2006, advised his colleagues to focus on improving lives and not putting on a show.
“Represent your people, not play to the gallery.”
Some suggested changes, but rules matter more
Back in 2020, MP Murali Pillai suggested cutting reading time in Parliament by having some speeches taken as read. But Mr Seah thinks efficiency can be improved in simpler ways, like MPs just sticking to the existing rules.
“Each hour spent in Parliament, if everyone’s there, is 100 man-hours,” he said. “Let’s use that time wisely.”
He added that people still want to hear MPs speak passionately and convincingly, not just cut things short.
More women, more diversity in Parliament
Mr Seah said he was glad to see 31 women MPs in the new Parliament, up from 27 previously. He believes greater diversity in gender, race, and background will lead to better debate and better policies.
“Parliament makes laws for all Singaporeans. Better representation means better outcomes.”
Speaker = Referee
With the Progress Singapore Party no longer in Parliament, only two parties are represented: the People’s Action Party (87 seats) and the Workers’ Party (10 seats + 2 NCMPs).
Still, Mr Seah says his role doesn’t change. He remains impartial to all MPs, no matter the party. Using a football analogy, Mr Seah said he sees himself as a referee: stepping in as needed to enforce the rules and make decisions, such as when an MP raises a point of order.
That is the procedure by which a member can interject to bring to the Speaker’s attention a perceived breach of the House’s rules during a sitting.
“The referee must know the rules, right? But we also hope the players know the rules as well,” he said.
Asked how he juggles his role as a PAP MP and Speaker, Mr Seah said he wears different hats at different times.
“When I’m in the Chamber, I’m wearing my hat as the Speaker, I’m not wearing the hat of a PAP member.”
Reaching out to more Singaporeans
One of Mr Seah’s goals is to help more Singaporeans understand the work of Parliament.
Live streaming since 2021 has helped people tune in. Now, Parliament is even planning to launch an interactive version on Roblox, the popular virtual gaming platform, expected to go live by the end of the financial year.
Representing Singapore overseas
Mr Seah also represents Parliament on the international stage — something he says many don’t know about, but is a meaningful part of his role.
In June, he met with ambassadors and parliament leaders from Bulgaria, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan.
Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh once told him how important this work is — building international ties through Parliament, especially in today’s uncertain world.
“Many overseas parliamentarians respect Singapore. That’s something I do with pride.”
An honour to be a Speaker, but misses his old job
Mr Seah has been the Speaker since 2023, after Tan Chuan-Jin stepped down. He left his corporate role as group CEO of NTUC Enterprise to focus fully on the job.
He says it’s an honour to be Speaker, though he sometimes misses being a backbencher and his time in business.
“Of course, there are more interesting ones, and sometimes some of the speeches could be not as interesting,” he said.
“But it comes with the part.”
