Pritam Singh Engages in GRC System Debate with Chan Chun Sing and Teo Chee Hean

On July 5, 2023, during a parliamentary debate regarding the motion to abolish the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system, Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing engaged with Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh on the merits and drawbacks of this electoral feature in Singapore.

Chan framed the motion as a binary choice: “Do we as a people and as a system, believe in ensuring that the Parliament, our highest legislative body, is representative of a multi-racial Singapore? Or are we willing to risk rule by majority without safeguards for our minority communities, and without safeguards against racial politics that can tear apart our nation’s fabric?”

He emphasized that the GRC system was an extension of the government’s multiracial policy and a safeguard for minority representation. Chan noted that the GRC system requires multiracial teams to contest elections, thereby reducing the likelihood of racial divisiveness. He also expressed skepticism towards the alternatives proposed by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP), suggesting they failed to address critical issues of representation.

Regarding the PSP’s suggestion of a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) system for minorities, Chan argued there was no guarantee of enough minority candidates if only Single Member Constituencies (SMCs) existed. He also cautioned that proportional representation could lead to the formation of parties focused on race or religion, fracturing political unity.

In response, Pritam Singh articulated the Workers’ Party’s position against the GRC system, asserting that it is often manipulated for gerrymandering purposes. He cited instances where SMCs that had previously seen close races were absorbed into GRCs, questioning the integrity of the electoral process. Singh acknowledged the importance of multiracialism but insisted that the GRC system had become a “political football.”

Singh referenced surveys that indicated growing acceptance of religious and racial diversity in Singapore, suggesting that while the GRC system played a role in fostering a multiracial society, it also led to cynicism about its use in political maneuvering.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean addressed the allegations of gerrymandering, noting that such accusations are common in any electoral system. He pointed out that boundaries won by the Opposition had not been changed, challenging Singh to clarify his concerns.

Teo emphasized that while improvements in race relations are welcome, it would be unwise to dismantle the measures that contributed to those advancements. He likened the situation to traffic safety, where established rules are necessary even when roads seem safe.

The debate highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the GRC system and its implications for representation and political integrity in Singapore, with Singh advocating for transparency and reform in the electoral process.