SINGAPORE – Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, 79, is retiring from politics after 44 years as a Member of Parliament.
Mr Goh announced his decision in a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday (June 24) and PM Lee has accepted his decision to retire from politics.
In his reply on Thursday (June 25), PM Lee thanked Mr Goh for a lifetime of distinguished service, on behalf of all Singaporeans.
The exchange of letters was released by the Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday.
Mr Goh said it has been his greatest honour and privilege to have served the People’s Action Party, residents of Marine Parade, as well as Singapore and Singaporeans over the past 44 years. He added that he will continue to contribute in other ways.
The National Library Board (NLB) announced on June 24 that all public libraries will reopen to the public from July 1.
In line with the safe reopening measures under phase 2, safety precautions will be put in place, NLB said.
All public libraries to reopen after over two months
The National Library Building, National Archives of Singapore building, the Former Ford Factory and all 25 public libraries will reopen to the public on July 1 with shorter opening hours and capacity controls in place.
Shorter opening hours from 11am to 7pm will apply to the National Library, public libraries and the National Archives of Singapore, daily until further notice.
Similarly, the Former Ford Factory will be open from 11am to 4pm. Meanwhile, the Oldham Theatre will remain closed.
Safety reopening measures to be in place
According to NLB, libraries will operate on a “borrow and go” model where people will be able to borrow and return physical materials, as well as use reservation and book drop services.
Nicole Seah, who ran in the 2011 General Election for Marine Parade GRC with National Solidarity Party (NSP), is back for this year’s General Election.
This time around, she’s with the Workers’ Party (WP).
The 33-year-old was unveiled in a WP virtual press conference this afternoon (June 25) along with three other candidates: former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong; research analyst Louis Chua Kheng Wee; and gig economy worker Muhammad Azhar Abdul Latip.
Seah, currently an associate director at a multi-national marketing company and married with a two-year-old daughter, said during the press conference that she has been volunteering with WP since 2015.
SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party (WP) formally announced its first batch of prospective candidates for the 2020 General Election on Thursday (Jun 25).
They are advertising associate director Nicole Seah, investment analyst Louis Chua Kheng Wee, Mr Muhammad Azhar Abdul Latip, who is self-employed, and former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Yee Jenn Jong.
Mr Chua and Mr Muhammad Azhar are new to the elections. Mr Yee was a WP candidate in the last two General Elections and Ms Seah contested in 2011.
WP chief Pritam Singh, who introduced the candidates along with chairman Sylvia Lim, did not say where the new candidates will be fielded.
“Where they will be fielded will be made known in days to come,” he said. “At every election, we fight hard and seek to persuade Singaporeans to make their vote count and cast it for WP … it will be a tough General Election as I said, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Mr Singh announced that WP will contest two Single Member Constituencies (SMC) and four Group Representation Constituencies (GRC) for a total of 21 seats in Parliament. The constituencies are Hougang SMC, Punggol West SMC, Aljunied GRC, East Coast GRC, Marine Parade GRC and Sengkang GRC.
Mr Singh also said that former party chief Low Thia Khiang, former Hougang MP Png Eng Huat and former Aljunied MP Chen Show Mao will not be running in this GE. Instead, Mr Dennis Tan will contest in WP stronghold Hougang, while Mr Leon Perera and Mr Gerald Giam will move to Aljunied.
In the 2015 General Election, WP fielded 28 candidates, including 16 new faces, across five GRCs and five SMCs. It held on to Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC, but lost Punggol East SMC to the People’s Action Party (PAP). Punggol East SMC is now part of Sengkang GRC.
When asked why WP is contesting in fewer seats in this election, Mr Singh said: “I think we have put the best candidates that we can find forward and we want them to represent (Singaporeans) and represent them well.
“If we can find more candidates … of course we can consider fielding more seats, but I think it’s important for us to focus our efforts and ensure that the candidates that we put forward can do well for the Workers’ Party.”
Workers’ Party member Louis Chua Kheng Wee speaking on Jun 25, 2020.
Mr Louis Chua Kheng Wee, 33, is a a research analyst at Credit Suisse AG, a global investment bank. He said part of his job involves analysing companies and recommending them to investors, which requires an “ability to question business decisions” and to make an “objective call on whether all stakeholders have been taken care of”.
“I strongly believe that a monopoly government is never a good thing … Even as COVID-19 is seen as the crisis of a generation, there will undoubtedly be more challenges ahead of us. To build a more resilient society, we need to recognise that dissenting views should not only be accepted, but should actually be encouraged,” he said.
“This will ensure that we come up with the best ideas to take Singapore forward. I believe change has to start somewhere, and for me, it starts with Parliament.”
The potential candidate also said that as a chartered accountant, he will be “very comfortable ” with the financial aspects of managing a town council.
Mr Chua is married and is the father of a nine-month-old boy.
MUHAMMAD AZHAR ABDUL LATIP
Workers’ Party member Muhammad Azhar Abdul Latip speaking on Jun 25, 2020.
Mr Muhammad Azhar Abdul Latip, 34, who is self-employed, said that he wants to be the voice for the vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in Singapore.
A political science graduate, Mr Muhammad Azhar worked in the marine insurance industry until an accident in 2014 brought his career to a halt.
“A few years after I started work, I was involved in a road traffic accident which nearly took my life. I lost my left leg,” he said.
He said he started off helping with food distribution and community outreach in Aljunied GRC in the Kaki Bukit division.
“I would like to see a more equitable and fair society where minorities are not discriminated against and where each of us gets a fair shot in life,” he said.
NICOLE SEAH
Workers’ Party candidate for GE2020 Nicole Seah speaking on Jun 25, 2020.
Ms Nicole Seah, 33, an associate director at a multinational marketing company, is now married with a two-year-old daughter.
Ms Seah is a former NSP member who shot to prominence in the 2011 General Election, where she was the youngest candidate.
Her NSP team contested Marine Parade GRC but lost with 43.4 per cent of the vote. PAP, led by then Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, garnered 56.6 per cent of votes.
Ms Seah began volunteering with WP after the end of the 2015 elections, and has been seen walking the ground in East Coast GRC.
“I was drawn to the ethos of WP, which believes in building a strong and reasonable opposition that contributes to our political landscape in Singapore in a constructive manner. It’s a party that does not oppose for the sake of opposing,” she said.
Ms Seah said she recognised that her decision to contest in the election could result in “increased scrutiny” for her, at a time when her career is stable and her personal life “in a very good state”.
But she believes in the leadership and vision of WP. Her daughter is the other reason for her re-entry into politics.
“I do it for my daughter because she is the next generation of Singaporeans and I want to leave behind a legacy for her where she would feel comfortable regardless of her political inclinations or the kinds of views that she is expressing.”
YEE JENN JONG
Workers’ Party member Yee Jenn Jong speaking on Jun 25, 2020.
WP also introduced Mr Yee, 55, an education entrepreneur who is not new to politics or the party.
Mr Yee led a WP team in Marine Parade GRC in 2015, losing with 35.93 per cent of the votes. He had narrowly lost in Joo Chiat SMC in the 2011 election and was an NCMP in the 12th Parliament. Joo Chiat SMC was folded into Marine Parade GRC for the 2015 GE.
Nevertheless, Mr Yee said he has remained active on the ground and initiated community projects in the Marine Parade GRC.
“This will be a very difficult campaign, with all these restrictions. This is probably the best chance for the PAP get back 100 per cent per cent dominance, but we are not going to let that happen,” he said.
SINGAPORE: The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) on Thursday (Jun 25) introduced five more potential candidates for the Jul 10 General Election.
They are former Singapore Armed Forces Lieutenant Colonel Nadarajah Loganathan, lawyer Wendy Low, CEO of a venture accelerator Kumaran Pillai, customer service manager Damien Tay and businessman Michael Chua.
With this latest announcement, the PSP has now introduced 17 prospective candidates, but has not confirmed which constituencies they will be fielded.
Commenting on the party’s potential candidates, PSP’s secretary-general Tan Cheng Bock said they are “ordinary people” with a “simple purpose” to step forward and serve the country.
“They are so simple and so honest and I was so happy that they have stepped forward,” said Dr Tan at a virtual press conference.
Mr Loganathan, 57, served in the SAF for 25 years before he retired in 2009 as a Lieutenant Colonel.
He completed his ground tour in 1994 and held several appointments in human resources development before becoming a trainer in the last eight years of his military career.
PSP candidate for GE2020 Nadarajah Loganathan. (Photo: PSP)
Since his retirement from the military, he has pursued his passion of developing people and became an adult educator.
During the press conference, Dr Tan highlighted that Mr Loganathan was part of his team while he was MP for Ayer Rajah with the People’s Action Party. The ward is now part of West Coast GRC.
Mr Loganathan said that he had supported Singapore’s first generation of leaders, but over the last decade, he felt that some government policies on housing, healthcare and jobs made him realise that there was room for improvement.
He added that the COVID-19 pandemic will leave “a huge damage” to Singapore’s employment figures.
“It would be a good time for (the Manpower Ministry) to review their new labour force structure, also taking into account the new economy,” said Mr Loganathan.
WENDY LOW
Ms Wendy Low currently leads the intellectual property advisory and dispute practice at legal firm Eldan Law. The 43-year-old was previously a partner with Rajah and Tann.
PSP candidate for GE2020 Wendy Low. (Photo: PSP)
She has also served in various NGOs such as AWARE and Justice Without Borders where she provided pro bono legal assistance to domestic workers who were abused and unfairly treated in Singapore.
Ms Low was also involved in volunteer work to distribute food and rations to the homeless.
She said that law has given her a very unique predisposition in her thinking on the “injustices of the world”.
“Coming from a personal place in my journey is a constant enquiry of where society has let down certain classes in Singapore and that has prompted me to do outreach where I can,” said Ms Low.
DAMIEN TAY
Mr Damien Tay, 51, has 30 years of experience in commercial operations in MNCs across the electronics, retail and medical industries. He is currently a customer service manager.
PSP candidate for GE2020 Damien Tay. (Photo: PSP)
He outlined three broad areas which he would like to champion – better job opportunities for Singaporeans, reducing inequality and addressing climate change.
To address environment issues, he is advocating that the Government impose a higher carbon tax, encourage the use of electric vehicles and place solar panels on top of new HDB flats.
“The Government has started imposing the carbon tax but we should push for the carbon tax to be raised sooner rather than later because the sea levels are rising quite quickly and this is a source of concern,” said Mr Tay.
KUMARAN PILLAI
Mr Kumaran Pillai, 49, is CEO for venture accelerator Apple Seed. He was part of the editorial team at the Independent News, but left the position to join politics.
PSP candidate for GE2020 Kumaran Pillai. (Photo: PSP)
He recalled how the burst of the dotcom bubble in 2011 impacted his financial situation, leaving him struggling to afford to buy milk for his newborn baby.
Dr Tan noted that despite several setbacks and struggles, Mr Pillai overcame them and became a more determined and resilient person.
Mr Pillai said he is concerned that Singapore does not have a level playing field and is keen to “take the fight to Parliament”.
“It’s time to make my arguments there. I hope to be represented and be the voice for the people,” he added.
MICHAEL CHUA
Mr Michael Chua, 55, graduated from the London School of Economics on an SAF Merit Scholarship.
He also has a masters degree in operations research at the Naval Postgraduate School US, under the Defence Technology Training Award.
PSP candidate for GE2020 Michael Chua. (Photo: PSP)
Dr Tan said Mr Chua was among the first few people who joined the party when it was founded in 2019. He is currently organising secretary for PSP.
He left the army as a full time regular in 2002 and continued to serve as an NSman in reservist as a deputy brigade commander until 2012.
On why he wanted to serve the people, Mr Chua said: “I owe it to Singapore that I make the best use of my education, and this is my opportunity to do so.”
Mr Chua now runs his own business after working in various private sector companies.
The political party that was formed at the last general election, Singaporeans First (SingFirst), just announced its dissolution today (June 25) in a Facebook post.
Citing “opposition unity and cooperation” as a guiding principle of the party and their efforts to foster “greater unity and cooperation” amongst the opposition parties, secretary-general Tan Jee Say said the decision to dissolve the party was because “we believe a strong opposition is best achieved with consolidation”.
In the letter posted on Facebook, he also mentioned that ex-SingFirst members are now active in different parties and they have redirected others who have wanted to join them to other parties too.
SINGAPORE: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong will not run in the upcoming General Election, after having served as a Member of Parliament for Marine Parade for more than 40 years.
In a letter to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong dated Jun 24, Mr Goh said his decision was made “after much thought and with a heavy heart”.
“Smooth and systematic leadership succession is key to Singapore’s political stability,” he wrote. “I prefer to retire as Member of Parliament now whilst I am healthy and able to ease my successor’s transition into Marine Parade.”
Mr Goh said he recommends that Dr Tan See Leng take over from him in Marine Parade. Dr Tan has been understudying Mr Goh for about two years and has helped with meet-the-people sessions in Marine Parade as well as several social projects in the constituency, Mr Goh added.
Dr Tan See Leng and Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong greeting residents in January 2020.
“Marine Parade is my second home. I love the people. The (People’s Action Party) Branch activists and the grassroots leaders are my steadfast comrades and firm friends. Many have urged me to stand for another term. But I should not. I would not have the same energy when I cross into my 80s,” said Mr Goh.
Mr Goh added that “competent and trusted leaders with the heart for public service” are critical to protect and advance Singaporeans’ interests.
He emphasised his support for Mr Lee’s planned leadership succession at the national level, and said the 4G team led by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has been “tested and strengthened in the crucible of COVID-19”.
PM Lee said he accepts Mr Goh’s decision to retire from politics “with sadness”.
He noted Mr Goh’s contributions to Singapore and thanked him for a “lifetime of distinguished service”.
“It is in Marine Parade that you have left the most personal imprint on the lives of individual Singaporeans … Marine Parade has become a vibrant waterfront town filled with warmth, which people of all ages are proud to call home. The story of Marine Parade is the story of Singapore – out of nothing, we created something special. You made that happen,” Mr Lee wrote in his valedictory letter to Mr Goh.
Mr Lee also credited Mr Goh with bringing him into politics as well as guiding and mentoring him for many years. Mr Lee paid tribute to their “fruitful comradeship” as well as the close relationship between “two prime ministers that would be the envy of many countries”.
“You have given your all and more in the service of your country and people. I wish you and Mrs Goh a long, healthy and happy retirement,” he said.
In a Facebook post, Mr Lee said he is glad that Mr Goh will maintain his links to Marine Parade, “as Chairman Emeritus of Marine Parade Branch and Adviser Emeritus to Marine Parade Grassroots Organisations”.
Mr Goh has also agreed to become Senior Adviser to The People’s Association on a pro bono basis, and will continue to chair the Governing Board of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
SINGAPORE – The People’s Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng on Thursday (June 25) said he will contest MacPherson SMC, where he is expected to face off against the People’s Action Party’s Tin Pei Ling.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Mr Goh posted a picture of a map of the MacPherson area and captioned it: “Finally put my Operational Skills learned from Army as Officer into good use…”
When contacted, the 50-year-old confirmed that he would stand in the single seat, and said more details will be released later on Thursday.
Ms Tin was first elected in 2011 and won a three-cornered fight for MacPherson in 2015, garnering 65.6 per cent of the vote.
On Tuesday, PPP announced plans to field candidates in the Radin Mas and MacPherson SMCs, two areas where other opposition parties have backed out.
SINGAPORE – The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Thursday morning (June 25) rolled out a third batch of new candidates to contest the election on July 10.
The line-up this time included former high-ranking civil and public servants, namely former Community Chest managing director Ng Ling Ling and former Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) chief executive Tan Kiat How.
The youngest was lawyer Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 39, and the oldest was former Parkway Holdings group chief executive, Dr Tan See Leng, 55.
They are the most senior crop of candidates introduced so far.
In a virtual press conference streamed from the PAP headquarters in New Upper Changi Road, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said: “What we hope to have is a team that is sufficiently diverse for us to reach out to all Singaporeans from different segments of society, different walks of life, different professions.”
Mr Heng, who is the PAP’s first assistant secretary-general, added: “The key thing is that we want people of integrity. We want people with a strong sense of service, who feel they are ready and prepared to contribute to bringing our people together.”
Election season is when you see party banners with the faces of candidates hung on street lamps around your neighbourhood.
And while most election candidates are members of a political party, did you know that you can stand for election even if you are not affiliated to any party?
Termed independent candidates, individuals can choose to contest in an SMC or together with other independent candidates in a GRC, and if they win, they will become elected MPs in Parliament.
So why don’t they join a party as it must surely be easier?
Party candidates have the advantage of an established party brand name. They also have organisational and logistical assistance, as well as the backing of popular political leaders in the party.
