'Join a party' if you want to contribute Those who want to be part of the decision-making process must be prepared to join a party, says PM Goh WHAT many people mean by consultation is not just to have their views heard but also to be able to shoot from the hip without fear of counter-fire, said the Prime Minister yesterday. This was unacceptable, said Mr Goh Chok Tong, arguing that meaningful political participation must mean joining a political party. Wrapping up the debate on the motion marking the landmark move to the new House, he said that he disagreed with Nominated MP Lee Tsao Yuan, who earlier told MPs that there was an excess demand for policy consultation. "Yes, many people want to have their views and comments heard or seen in print," said Mr Goh. "But they also want to have the safety of staying out of the political arena plus the luxury of being able to carp or shoot from the hip without attracting government counter-fire." Meaningful political participation, he said, must mean joining or supporting a political party, advancing its course, attending to constituents and, if asked to do so, taking part in elections, and to win and serve as an MP. "How many upcoming successful Singaporeans want to sacrifice their careers, privacy and time with their family to participate actively in politics?" he asked. He then asked Dr Lee to find for him five women candidates for the next General Election, adding: "She has two or three years to do so." On a broader note, Mr Goh said that MPs, as elected representatives, had to look after the people's interests and they had to do this by taking a principled stand on issues, and not by merely following popular sentiments. MPs would come under public pressure, he noted, whenever tough, painful policies were introduced. "Our job is to lead, to explain, to persuade. This is not to say we ignore public sentiments; they are important. We must understand them, be sensitive and responsive. "Wherever possible we must consult people, people who can contribute to the formulation of public policies. "Consultation does not mean taking a straw poll and following the majority view." The MPs' response must be based on longer-term national interests even at the price of short-term pain, and on collective rather than individual interests. "We must explain our policies and persuade people that they are right. This is the meaning of leadership and this is the key role of MPs as the people's representative." Urging members to look forward to the future, he called on them to continue to increase the quality of representation in the House to perpetuate the virtuous cycle of good MPs and strong and good government and a prosperous nation. In a speech moving the motion, Mr Goh outlined three observations on the progress of parliamentary democracy here. First, clean general elections were critical to the governance here. There was no money politics and voters trusted the system. Second, the ruling party's self-renewal at every election had made Parliament relevant. Third, a key strength of democracy could also turn out to be a major weakness. Almost anyone above 21 can stand for election, without any stringent quality control. "That this Parliament has a high reputation for efficiency, effectiveness and integrity, is not the natural order of things. "It is the result of the PAP's high standards and its stringent screening of its candidates," he said adding that, even then, there were mistakes. Calling on members to strengthen Parliament as a key institution, he said they had the duty to serve the people's needs. "Public respect for Parliament will be preserved only if we, their representatives are worthy of their trust."