By Clarissa Oon

NEW changes to Singapore's political system will lead to non-People's Action Party members taking up at least 18 seats in Parliament, or roughly one-fifth of the House.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the Constitution will be amended to allow for up to nine 9 Non-Constituency MPs, who are opposition candidates who lose but are nevertheless given seats in Parliament.

At the same time, the Parliamentary Elections Act will be amended to increase the stipulated minimum number of opposition MPs, including NCMPs, to nine.

The upcoming changes to the political system and electoral rules will result in a more balanced system and bring diverse views in Parliament to better reflect the aspirations of Singaporeans, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday.

The changes are not to entrench one party, nor to deliberately result in weakened governments, said Mr Lee in Parliament during the debate on President SR Nathan's address last week.

'They update our political system so that it reflects better the aspirations of Singaporeans,' said Mr Lee. 'They provide adequate voice for diverse views in Parliament, including non-partisan views and views of those who have voted for the opposition.'

Formation of an Economic Strategies Committee

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced the formation of an Economic Strategies Committee (ESC) today.

As stated by Prime Minister Lee, the ESC will be chaired by Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

It will comprise members from the private and public sectors and the labour movement, and will consult widely in order to tap on a wide range of views and ideas.

The Government will release the list of ESC members and further details in two weeks' time. --AsiaOne

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