Parliamentary System of Singapore

The main functions of Parliament are:

· Lawmaking

· controlling the nation's finances

· ensuring ministerial accountability

Parliament convenes when it is in session. The first session of a particular Parliament commences when Parliament meets after being formed following a general election. A session ends when Parliament is prorogued (temporarily suspended) or dissolved. The maximum term of each Parliament is five years, after which Parliament is automatically dissolved. A general election must then be held within three months.

The quorum (minimum number of members that are present to make the proceeding valid) for a Parliamentary sitting is.......................

one quarter of the total number of MPs, excluding the Speaker.

In case the picture above is not clear enough to be interpreted, I shall explain briefly about the structure of the parliament of Singapore. The President and the Parliament jointly forms the legislature of Singapore. The Parliament is made up of Member of Paliament (MP), Non-constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) and Nominated Members of Parliament (NMP). The Speaker of the Parliament chairs the Parliament and is the overall charge of the administration of Parliament and its secretariat. Under the Speaker, there will be a Leader of the House , an MP selected by the Prime Minister ,and Leader of Opposition, an MP of largest Opposition Party. The procedure of the Parliament is as follows:

An MP moves a motion (proposal) and elaborates on it in his or her speech. Then the debate begins after the Speaker proposes the motion by asking questions, which MPs will try to debate upon. Finally, the mover may exercise a right of reply. Otherwise, the Speaker puts the question on the motion to the House and calls for vote , which is generally done verbally.Whether the motion is carried depends on the Speaker's personal assessment of whether more MPs have voted for than against the motion. MPs' votes are only formally counted if an MP claims a division.

Parliament regulates its own privileges, immunities and powers. For instance, the freedom of speech and debate and proceedings in Parliament may not be impeached or questioned in any country or other place out of Parliament, who may punish any MP for acting dishonourably, abusing a privilege or behaving comtemptuously.