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Article in TODAY dated 28Feb2012: Representation is a cardinal principle in our democracy, too Covering MPs do not have a mandate from Hougang voters ... Let them decide how they would hold the WP accountable. Letter from Eugene Tan Kheng Boon, Nominated Member of Parliament, Assistant Professor of Law, Singapore Management University School of Law IN HIS I Say piece

REPRESENTATION BASED ON OCCUPATION INSTEAD OF LOCALITY I suggest a system of electing representatives to look after the interests of the different major occupation groups instead of a given locality. This can be based on the Singapore Standard Occupation Classification. The number of seats will be determined by the quantity of the citizens that fall within a given classification. Members of Parliament should serve a legislative function instead of focusing on administrative functions in estate management. We have the Town Council and Mayors for that purpose. The MPs are elected to act in the best interest of their voters, to introduce and debate on bills which may eventually pass to become law. They should not be allowed to find themselves trapped in a situation where estate upgrading and maintenance gets intermingled with political representation. By representing a constituency defined in a geographical area, conflicts of interest are undoubtedly experienced by the unfortunate representative. Should I vote in favor of the bill that benefits the blue collar or the white? Propose a consumption tax, or a luxury tax to boost the national coffers? It also gives rise to a situation where the upper class congregates in a locality as seen in our real estate classification. While concerning ourselves with preventing racial divide, we should not overlook the even more important social division that slowly tears away at the fabric of our society. Representation based on Occupation Classification instead of Locality will truly ensure, in the words of our PM Lee Hsien Loong, “No Singaporean gets left behind.” Major Group 1 Legislators, Senior Officials and Managers Major Group 2 Professionals Major Group 3 Associate Professionals and Technicians Major Group 4 Clerical Support Workers Major Group 5 Service and Sales Workers Major Group 6 Agricultural and Fishery Workers Major Group 7 Craftsmen and Related Trades Workers Major Group 8 Plant and Machine Operators and Assemblers Major Group 9 Cleaners, Labourers and Related Workers Major Group X Workers Not Classifiable by Occupation