Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill

Order for Second Reading read.

7.19 pm

The Minister of State for Home Affairs (Ms Sun Xueling) (for the Minister for Home Affairs): Mr Speaker, on behalf of the Minister for Home Affairs, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

The Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill is linked to the previous Bill on the Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill. In the Second Reading speeches for that Bill and the debate we just had, the Minister for Home Affairs and I have explained the main amendments proposed in both Bills.

Although Members have already raised their questions and expressed their views on both Bills during the earlier debate, I welcome Members to raise any additional questions they may have on the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill. Mr Speaker, I seek to move.

7.20 pm

Mr Speaker: Are there any clarifications for Minister or Minister of State? I see none.

The Question is, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Pursuant to Article 5(2) of the Constitution, a vote is taken to ascertain that the Second Reading of the Bill is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of Elected and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament, which is 60 Members.

Clerk, ring the division bells.

After two minutes –

Mr Speaker: Serjeant‐at‐Arms, lock the doors.

Before I proceed to start the electronic voting, may I remind Members that they are to be seated at their designated seats and that they should only vote when the voting buttons on their arm rest start to blink.

Question put, "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

Mr Speaker: Take a vote. You may now begin to vote. May I remind Members to depress their vote buttons firmly, in order to register their vote in the system. Members are advised to check that their names are registered according to their vote indication when the voting results are shown on the display screens.

Before I proceed to declare the results of the vote, are there any Members who wish to claim that his or her vote has not been displayed or displayed incorrectly on the screens?

Mr Speaker: I will proceed to declare the voting results now. There are 78 "Ayes"; seven "Noes"; zero "Abstentions". The Second Reading of the Bill has been carried by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of Elected and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament.

Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House.

The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Ms Sun Xueling].

Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment.

Third Reading

Mr Speaker: Third Reading, what day?

Ms Sun Xueling: Now, Sir, I move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

Mr Speaker: The Question is, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

Pursuant to Article 5(2) of the Constitution, a vote is taken to ascertain that the Third Reading of the Bill is supported by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of Elected and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament, which is 60 Members.

Clerk, ring the division bells.

After one minute –

Mr Speaker: Serjeant-at-Arms, lock the doors.

Before I proceed to start the electronic voting, may I remind Members that they are to be seated at their designated seats and should only vote when the voting buttons on their arm rest start to blink.

Question put, "That the Bill be now read a Third time."

Mr Speaker: Take a vote. You may now begin to vote. Again, I remind Members to depress their vote buttons firmly in order to register their vote in the system. Members are advised to check that their names are registered according to their vote indication when the voting results are shown on the display screens.

Before I proceed to declare the results of the vote, are there any Members who wish to claim that his or her vote has not been displayed or has been displayed incorrectly on the screens? I do not see any.

Mr Speaker: I will proceed to declare the voting results now. There are 78 "Ayes"; 7 "Noes"; and zero "Abstentions". The Third Reading of the Bill has been carried by the votes of not less than two-thirds of the total number of Elected and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament.

Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed.