NSP Calls for National Referendum on White Paper

The National Solidarity Party has written to the Prime Minister and President of Singapore asking for a National Referendum on the White Paper. This is a much needed move as the population proposals are of monumental importance to every Singaporean. Will Tony Tan prove himself to be a people’s president or a president for the PAP? We will be watching.

NSP Calls for National Referendum on White Paper on Population Policy

9 February 2013

Mr Tony Tan Keng Yam

President of Singapore

Dear President

 The National Solidarity Party has written to the Prime Minister to urge that a National Referendum be called on the White Paper.

The Parliamentary Debate has now been concluded with the Population White Paper being endorsed by 77 to 13 with one abstention. However, it is clear to many that the vote does not reflect the views of Singaporeans because the PAP Members of Parliament clearly voted along Party lines.

The Population White Paper will affect Singaporeans – for better or worse – for the next 20 years and beyond. All Singaporeans have the right to decide how their future is shaped. The future of this country is something that all Singaporeans have a stake in. It is only right that they should have a say in it as well.

In announcing your intention to run in the last Presidential Election, you had said, ‘I believe that the next President of Singapore may have to make very significant decisions that will affect the security and well‐being of all Singaporeans.’ One very significant decision you could make with the well-being of the citizens of Singapore in mind would be to ask the Government of Singapore to hold a National Referendum on the White Paper.

We hope that the President will act in the interest of the citizens of Singapore and ask the Government of the People’s Action Party to listen to the people whose lives will be irrevocably changed by the decisions that their elected leaders make on their behalf.

 Thank you.

Hazel Poa

Secretary-General, National Solidarity Party

 NB: 

A separate letter calling for the national referendum was also sent to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.