With more opposition MPs in Parliament, there were concerns debates will become more partisan. NMP-designate SMU Assistant Professor Eugene Tan said some "partisan-sparring" was already seen in the recent debate on political pay and added it was important to ensure other issues were not missed out in the partisan debate. Due to party politics, the party may not be interested in pursuing that particular angle or line of questioning. Professor Tan felt this was a way NMPs could contribute since they came from a variety of backgrounds and could look at issues from a multidimensional perspective, which would help raise the quality of the debate.
Channel NewsAsia, Channel 5