LEE HSIEN LOONG TO PAP MPs: WE ARE SERVANTS OF THE PEOPLE, NOT MASTERS

In a 10-page document released on Tuesday to all PAP Members of Parliament, PM Lee Hsien Loong outlined the Rules of Prudence that he feels are important for the MPs to adhere to. He emphasized on the importance of integrity, honesty, incorruptibility within the PAP. Elected PAP MPs were too reminded to be "humble in victory" and "always remember we are servants of the people, not masters".

Lee Hsien Loong added "The people have endorsed what we have done in the previous term, and given us a clear mandate to take Singapore forward beyond SG50," said PM Lee. "Now we must fulfil what we have promised to do in our manifesto."

The Rules of Prudences are:

UPHOLDING REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY

"Never give cause for allegations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. That would discredit both you and the Party."

"As MPs, you will come across many different sorts of people....But a few will cultivate you to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour."

"You must distinguish between these two groups of people, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to you."

SEPARATING BUSINESS AND POLITICS

"Separate your public political position from your private, professional or business interests. You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal interest or the benefit of your employers."

"Do not use Parliamentary questions as a means to lobby the Government on behalf of your business or clients."

DIRECTORSHIPS

"The Party permits MPs to serve as directors, provided you keep your private and public responsibilities rigorously separate, and your private appointments do not compromise your duties and performance as an MP."

"You should not accept directorships where your role is just to dress up the board with a PAP MP or two, in order to make the company look more respectable."

PARLIAMENT

"MPS are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek permission from the Government Whip."

"I have asked the Speaker to give all MPs, particularly new MPs, ample opportunity and latitude to speak in Parliament. Your first opportunity will be during the debate on the President's Address at the opening of Parliament in January 2016. Following that, at the Budget Debate, all MPs should speak up."

IMPORTANT PUBLIC OCCASIONS

"Those who cannot attend must have very good reasons. Those who have accepted the invitation must attend, otherwise they leave empty seats, which does no credit to them or to the Party."

GIFTS

"You should not accept gifts which might place you under obligations which conflict with your public duties."

FUND-RAISING

"Party Branches should not raise funds on their own without permission, for example, by soliciting advertisements for a souvenir magazine or a carnival."

FINANCIAL PRUDENCE

"As MPs, you should manage your personal finances prudently. Do not over-extend yourself or become financially embarrassed."

DECLARATION OF INCOME

"For your own protection, every MP should disclose to me, in confidence, your business and professional interests, your present employment and your monthly pay, all retainers and fees that you are receiving, and whether your job requires you to get in touch with offices of Government Ministries or statutory boards on behalf of employers or clients."