Marsiling–Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency Explained

Marsiling–Yew Tee
Type:Group Representation
Parl Name:Parliament of Singapore
Region:North and West Regions, Singapore
Electorate:117,176
Members:Alex Yam
Hany Soh
Zaqy Mohamad
Lawrence Wong
Seats:4
Local Council Label:Town Council
Local Council:Marsiling–Yew Tee
Previous:

The Marsiling–Yew Tee Group Representation Constituency is a four-member Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the north-western part of Singapore. The constituency encompasses Chua Chu Kang (Yew Tee), Sungei Kadut Industrial Area, Kranji, Woodlands Checkpoint, and the west part of Woodlands. The four divisions of the GRC are Limbang, Marsiling, Woodgrove and Yew Tee managed by Marsiling—Yew Tee Town Council. The current Members of Parliament are Alex Yam, Hany Soh, Zaqy Mohamad and Lawrence Wong from the People's Action Party (PAP).

History

On 7 August 2017, Halimah Yacob resigned as Member of Parliament (MP) and as Speaker of Parliament in order to contest in the 2017 Singapore presidential election,[1] and elected as the 8th President of Singapore due to a walkover on the nomination day on 13 September 2017.[2]

On 8 August 2017, Zaqy Mohamad, who is also an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, was appointed as grassroots advisor, before becoming MP for Marsiling 3 years later, under the government-linked People's Association, for Halimah's Marsiling ward.[3] His appointment has caused controversy, as Halimah was the sole minority MP for Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC and a grassroots advisor is not the same as having an MP elected by residents of the constituency. While the government maintains that it is legal to forgo the calling of a by-election,[3] [4] one of the original purposes of the GRC system was to ensure minority representation. The High Court dismissed a bid by the Singapore Democratic Party assistant treasurer Wong Souk Yee for a by-election to be called. Justice Chua Lee Ming presided on the hearing.[5] The appeal was subsequently dismissed by the Court of Appeal.[6]

Members of Parliament

Election Division Members of Parliament Party
2015
  • Yew Tee
  • Woodgrove
  • Marsiling
  • Limbang
PAP

Electoral results

Elections in 2020s

Notes and References

  1. News: PM Lee accepts Halimah Yacob's resignation from the PAP. 7 August 2017. Channel NewsAsia. 7 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170807211217/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pm-lee-accepts-halimah-yacob-resignation-from-the-pap-9099312. 7 August 2017. dead.
  2. http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/madam-halimah-yacob-prepares-to-hand-in-papers-for-presidential-election/ Halimah Yacob to be sworn in as Singapore's 8th President on Thursday: PMO
  3. News: Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh. Zaqy to take over Marsiling grassroots adviser role. 10 August 2017. The Straits Times. 9 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170810210803/http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/zaqy-to-take-over-marsiling-grassroots-adviser-role. 10 August 2017. en. dead.
  4. News: Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh. No by-election if minority MP leaves GRC, says Chun Sing. 22 July 2017. The Straits Times. 7 Feb 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170722003525/http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/singapolitics/no-by-election-if-minority-mp-leaves-grc-says-chun-sing. 22 July 2017. dead.
  5. News: High Court throws out SDP assistant treasurer's bid for Marsiling–Yew Tee by-election. TODAYonline. 2018-04-29.
  6. Web site: Lim . Adrian . Court of Appeal dismisses bid for by-election to be called in Marsiling–Yew Tee GRC . The Straits Times . 10 April 2019 . 21 September 2019.