central Councils. Therefore, I suggest abolishing the system of election by functional constituency altogether. Of course, the number of appointed members must be increased to take into account the representatives from the functional constituencies. When the time is ripe for direct election, the appointment system might be withdrawn.
To ensure success of implementation, the Government must solicit the views from the widest possible cross-section of the community. To this end, the Government must take an initiative in encouraging and facilitating the silent, passive, withdrawn and inarticulate sections of the population to speak up on this important matter, as it has done in arousing interest in voter registration for District Board elections. Seminars, forums, discussion groups, debates, conferences and the like must be organised to promote discussion of this issue. Otherwise a few vocal groups with only a limited representation may distort our
As it appraisal of public reaction towards the Green Paper. takes time for the silent majority to air their views, I suggest that the proposed two-month consultation period be extended.
Sir, with these remarks, I support the motion.