In his first year in Parliament, Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng made 47 speeches and filed 38 questions. He’s had a say in almost every bill passed in 2016. In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Louis revealed how he does it.
He has a team of 30 volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Some of them are lawyers and businesspeople, others students and passionate activists. They all bring insights from their own experiences and knowledge. Louis uses the inputs from them and his residents to formulate his positions and speeches.
Louis Ng and his team of legislative volunteers
The team is led by Louis’ legislative assistant Melissa Chong, 26. Melissa told Lianhe Zaobao that she coordinates the volunteers’ efforts. One of the parliamentary questions they spent the most time understanding was about pre-implantation genetic screening.
But the time they spent was not in vain. This is one of the issues the government is changing its position on. They are starting a clinical trial for Pre-Implantation Genetic Screening, which was banned before. Other issues Louis spoke up on, which are being reviewed are decriminalising suicide, the definition of “animals” in the Road Traffic Act and measures to curb speeding by heavy vehicles. Louis was also one of the MPs who successfully fought for more equal treatment for single mothers.