So many holes in the statements in Parliament? (Part 3)

singapore-parliament

July 4, 2017

I refer to the article “Oxley Road: Full transcript and video of ministerial statement in Parliament by PM Lee Hsien Loong” (Straits Times, Jul 3).

It states that “So at the next Cabinet meeting, two days after the Parliament Sitting, I recused myself from all discussions and decisions relating to the house, and placed DPM Teo Chee Hean in charge and this was formally recorded in the cabinet minutes. From that point on, I have been out of the loop whenever the Government handles matters concerning the house. I play no part in any of the discussions or decisions.”

How can the PM recused himself (“I recused myself from all discussions and decisions”) – and yet participated – such as making three statutory declarations to the ministerial committee?

In this regard, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary – “recused” means “to disqualify (oneself) as judge in a particular case; broadly :  to remove (oneself) from participation to avoid a conflict of interest” – what is the ministerial committee’s understanding of “recused”?

Why is it that only parts of the PM’s three statutory declarations were released to the public – why not release the three statutory declarations fully?

Leong Sze Hian

 

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About the Author

Leong
Leong Sze Hian has served as the president of 4 professional bodies, honorary consul of 2 countries, an alumnus of Harvard University, authored 4 books, quoted over 1500 times in the media , has been a radio talkshow host, a newspaper daily columnist, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow, columnist for theonlinecitizen and Malaysiakini, executive producer of Ilo Ilo (40 international awards), Hotel Mumbai (associate producer), invited to speak more than 200 times in about 40 countries, CIFA advisory board member, founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of 2 countries. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional  qualifications.