Originally posted by Poh Ah Pak:
Alternative views are worthless if you don't wield power to implement the policies.
Singapore already has the so-called nominated member of parliament scheme to provide "alternative" views.
Did it affect policy?
See:
http://siewkumhong.blogspot.com
NMPs are not independent as the ruling party has a hand in nominating and appointing them. Established government-connected social activists are also not effective because they have the quiet support and were often used by the government to give support to their own policies.
A truly independent parliamentary body nominated from effective social activists who are not the politicians standing for election will provide an alternative which will be more respected by citizens.
When sitting alongside the ruling parliament with voting right such a body will help to defer bills back to the drawing board where 1/3 of them have expressed reservation or dissent in the first reading for reconsideration and this will help to prevent autocracy which has caused rising costs of living and many other problems attributable to lack of check on the government under the present circumstances.
Upon the 2nd reading the alternative parliamentarians will have to right to stop the bill only with a higher dissenting vote of 2/3 ie. to ensure the business of government will be given priority and not be affected by disagreement for the sake of disagreement. Such detailed consideration in making the alternative mentoring parliamentary body work in practice has to be crafted out carefully to suit our need for check and balance without affecting important government business.
When there is such a carefully established alternative parliamentary body acting as a tempering of harsh or over-zealous policies and decisions of government it will serve the greatest interest of the greatest number and help to prevent autocratic decision making and confrontational system of government.
So as long as there is a lack of accountability in the current autocracy and there is no effective opposition, it would be a win-win situation to work towards establishing such an influential parallel parliamentary body to offer check and balance and possible to provide continuity in securing future government without necessarily following the bi-polar opposition system adopted by the west.