Considerations for Permanent Member Appointments to Presidential Council for Minority Rights and Misconduct Removal Procedures
Ministry of Culture, Community and YouthSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the considerations for recommending permanent members to the Presidential Council for Minority Rights and mechanisms for member removal due to misconduct. Mr Fadli Fawzi asked about appointment criteria for permanent members and whether removal procedures exist beyond Article 72, to which the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth responded. The Minister stated that permanent members are distinguished individuals who held high offices, while non-permanent members are chosen for distinguished public service or eminence. Under Article 73, members vacate their seats upon losing citizenship, resigning, or meeting disqualifications in Article 72, such as being of unsound mind or bankrupt. Misconduct resulting in a criminal conviction with at least one year of imprisonment or a $10,000 fine also triggers disqualification from the Council.
Transcript
64 Mr Fadli Fawzi asked the Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what are the considerations for Cabinet when making a recommendation to the President to appoint a person as a permanent member of the Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR); (b) whether there are mechanisms to remove a PCMR member for misconduct or reasons other than those enumerated in Article 72 of the Constitution; and (c) if not, why not.
Mr David Neo: The Presidential Council for Minority Rights (PCMR) consists of a Chairman and not more than 20 members, of which up to 10 members may be permanent members appointed for life. Permanent members are individuals of distinction, chosen from those who hold or have held high offices, including Cabinet Ministers. Non-permanent members are mature citizens who have either rendered distinguished public service or attained eminence in their fields. They may be appointed for a period of three years and are eligible for reappointment.
Under Article 73 of the Constitution, a PCMR member, whether permanent or non-permanent, shall vacate his seat in the PCMR if he ceases to be a Singapore Citizen, or resigns, or becomes subject to any of the disqualifications in Article 72. For example, a person who is of unsound mind or an undischarged bankrupt is disqualified from membership of the PCMR. Cases of misconduct that result in a person being convicted of an offence and sentenced to at least one year's imprisonment or a fine of at least $10,000, would also result in that person's disqualification for membership of the PCMR.