We refer to the article “Record number of questions, answers in Parliament” (Channel NewsAsia, Nov 22).

It states that “MPs lament that that most parliamentary sittings do not go beyond the first 20 questions within the allotted question time, leaving a surplus sometimes, of about 50 questions unanswered and not debated in parliament.”

Actually, there seems to be more and more replies that never answer the questions asked.

Here are some classic examples.

… Minister’s reply on why SingPost increased postage rates? 

“The Infocomm Development Authority (IDA) approved the recent increase in local and international postage rates because Singapore Post (SingPost) has been facing increasing labour and operation costs in the past few years, Minister of State for Communications and Information Sim Ann, said in Parliament on Wednesday (Nov 5).

Ms Sim was responding to a question by Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, Lina Chiam, after postage rates increased by about four Singapore cents in October.

Ms Sim said the rates SingPost pays to overseas postal operators has increased by about 40 per cent since 2010. The rates, which are determined by an international body, are set to increase by another 30 per cent by 2017.

She added SingPost has not increased postage rates in eight years or cut costs, but had increased salaries while hiring older workers. It has also committed some S$100 million in service improvement measures such as mail sorting infrastructure.”

Reply never answered the question?

NCMP Mrs Lina Chiam’s question was – “To ask the Minister for Communications and Information

(a) what is the reason for IDA’s recent approval for SingPost to increase local
and international postage rates; (b) why does SingPost need to increase
postage rates by 15% from 26 cents to 30 cents even though its underlying net
profit increased by 2.9% and domestic and international mail revenue grew by
4% and 27% respectively last year”

Do you think the Minister answered Mrs Lina Chiam’s question at all?

Do you think the media report was fair in omitting the crux of the question altogether?” (“Parliament: Reply that never answer the question on SingPost at all?“, Nov 5)

… Cannot be transparent because … ?

• “Singapore’s Minister of State for Finance: “You asked how much reserves we have. I’m sorry – I am not able to give you that answer. There are many, many people who are interested in how much we have. It has nothing to do with not wanting Singaporeans to know. It’s only if we go public with you, a lot of other people will know”.  (March 15, 2008)

• Singapore’s finance minister: “People do want to know, there is curiosity, it is a matter of public interest. That is not sufficient reason that there is curiosity and interest that you want to disclose information” ( August 18, 2009).” (“CPF: Lost over $100b?“, Nov 15)
• … Losing PAP candidate still become adviser?
• In the debate in Parliament on 13 May, 2013, on the MND Town Council Review report, NCMP Lina Chiam’s question to MND Minister and PAP Chairman, Mr Khaw Boon Wan was – whether the Government will still appoint advisers in consituencies, even though they are not the elected MP – his short answer was – “that does not come under my purview”. (“25% of grassroots leaders are PRs & new citizens?“, May 26, 2013)
  
  S Y Lee and Leong Sze Hian
   
  P.S. Come with your family and friends to the 5th Return Our CPF protest on 29 November 4 pm at Speakers’ Cornerhttps://www.facebook.com/events/796694730417598/