A simple majority is enough

Singapore needs a Government with a clear, strong majority, that can provide good governance in the long term interests of Singaporeans. 

That was taken from a speech by Singapore's Law Minister, K. Shanmugam, when he was speaking during the Second Reading of the bill to amend the Constitution to allow more NMPs and NCMPs into Parliament. I don't disagree with the latter premise; every country needs a government "that can provide good governance in the long term interests" of their people. However, I dispute that Singapore needs a government with a clear and strong majority in Parliament to govern and legislate well, for one simple reason: the Singapore Parliament only requires a simple majority to pass legislation that does not involve Consitutional amendments.

Amendments to the Constitution can only pass with a special majority: no less than two-thirds of all MPs on the second and third readings are required for this purpose. Given that NMPs and NCMPs cannot vote on bills to amend the Constitution, the required two-thirds majority is 56 votes from the 84 elected MPs.

Even in the extreme case where we have the Constitutional maximum of 99 members in Parliament, and the bill allows all members to vote (ie, bills that do not amend the Constitution, does not involve authorisation for government to spend public funds, Money bills, votes of no confidence against the government, and impeachment of the President), the majority that is needed to pass such a bill is a mere 50.

For Supply Bills, Supplementary Supply Bills, Final Supply Bills, Money Bills, votes of no confidence against the government, and to remove a President from office, the required simple majority is even lower, at 43.

Requiring a majority to pass legislation, and a supermajority to amend the Constitution, are both features of democracy that I have observed in most democratic countries, and with the exception of the US Senate, where filibusters make minority disruption possible for every vote and make life in the majority very difficult, the Singapore Parliament works on simple majorities, and a clear and strong majority is not required, only a simple majority.

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[waysswayss]

Our million dollars law minister cannot differentiate "government" and "governance". Good government is different from good governance. Governance involves the people's involvement, participation and inclusive society. Good government means uncorrupt and efficient government. Singapore has "good government" as claimed by the government and its supporters but has no good governance. Good governance requires no government that is majority in control of the parliament but a government that majority of the people vote for in a fair election practice. Has Singapore achieved yet?