A record number of women will be seated when Singapore’s 14th Parliament commences today at two different locations for the first time.
The opening will be held at the Parliament House and The Arts House, where 28 women will be among members taking their oaths and making their affirmations. President Halimah Yacob will also deliver her address from the Parliament House.
The proceedings will be shown at both locations with safe distancing measures followed by all MPs, staff and guests present.
Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin will not host the traditional reception after the president’s address to further reduce mingling.
The new Parliament’s 93 elected members will include 31 first-time office holders including Singapore’s first opposition leader Pritam Singh. Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats are taken up by Hazel Poa and Leong Mun Wai from Progress Singapore Party.
Women have made a net gain of seven seats, up from the 21 seats held in the last parliament.
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