Halimah Yacob looks forward to parliamentary debate on White Paper

SINGAPORE: Speaker of Parliament, Halimah Yacob, says she looks forward to next week’s parliamentary debate on the White Paper.

At least 42 MPs are expected to speak over five days when the White Paper on Population and Land Use Plan is presented in Parliament.

They will raise issues such as concerns over over—crowding, cost of living, competition and the slower pace of economic growth.

"I think it’s going to be a useful debate, because there are obviously some things in the White Paper that would need further clarification, which the ministers, the policy—makers would then have a chance to clarify. So I look forward to a very meaningful, lively and interesting debate, starting from Monday," said Madam Halimah.

She was speaking to the media on the sidelines of a high tea organised by religious leaders on Saturday.

The event was held to mark her appointment as the new Speaker of Parliament.

It was attended by representatives from the Singapore Buddhist Lodge, Hindu Endowments Board, Taoist Federation and Singapore Catholic Archdiocese.

— CNA/ir