Tag: PAP

Rahayu Mahzam: Chance To Help Disadvantaged Families Hard To Resist

With her predecessor having spent about 14 years as Member of Parliament for her ward, Madam Rahayu Mahzam knows she has big shoes to fill.

Speaker of Parliament Halimah Yacob was elected into Jurong GRC in 2001, but will move to stand in the newly-constituted Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC in the coming General Election. Mdm Rahayu, who will take over the Bukit Batok East ward overseen by Mdm Halimah if elected, began volunteering there only recently.

“Mdm Halimah has put in a lot of hard work … and the results clearly show in the residents’ faces … They clearly adore her. It’s inspired me to maintain her high standards,” said Mdm Rahayu, 35.

As a lawyer specialising in family law and civil litigation, she has come across many disadvantaged families — a segment of society she is striving to get more help for.

“For instance, divorcing families whose problems are compounded … They don’t just face financial difficulties, but also issues with housing, and having to cope with the children,” said Mdm Rahayu at the press conference yesterday introducing the People’s Action Party’s candidates for Jurong GRC.

She added: “I’ve also seen families where both parents are incarcerated and the grandparents have to take care of the children. These are special cases and there’s always room to improve policies in this aspect.”

Mdm Rahayu has sat on the board of the Singapore Muslim Women’s Association, volunteered in legal clinics organised by Muslim Converts’ Association (Darul Arqam), and helped mentor youths as a volunteer probation officer with the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

Asked what legislative issues she would champion, she cited the Family Justice Act and Women’s Charter as laws she felt has room for improvement.

When she was approached to enter politics, her husband, who works in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, asked: “What can you do in politics that you’re not already doing now?” The question, Mdm Rahayu revealed, made her pause.

But the prospect of a bigger platform to make changes “on a larger scale” called out to her. “And because I’m with a party that has the mechanisms already in place and … a strong track record … I’m able to reach out and do more (for the community),” she said. TOH EE MING

FACT FILE: Rahayu Mahzam, 35, Partner at the law firm of Heng, Leong & Srinivasan

• Formerly a deputy registrar of the Syariah Court from 2013 to 2015

• Sits on the National Library Board, the Malay Language Council and the National Youth Fund Advisory Committee.

• Graduated from the National University of Singapore in 2003 with a Bachelor of Laws

SHE SAID: “I am passionate to help these disadvantaged families. I feel that it is important to have strong and holistic support for these families so that they can overcome their difficulties.”

Source: www.todayonline.com

August 21, 2015
Lim Biow Chuan Introduced As PAP Candidate For Mounbatten SMC

Lawyer Lim Biow Chuan will stand again as the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) candidate in Mountbatten in the coming General Election (GE), the party announced on Friday (Aug 21).

Mr Lim was introduced as the candidate for Mountbatten by Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin at a press conference outside the PAP branch at Old Airport Road.

Said Minister Tan on the incumbent MP: “We worked together in the town council. How you administer the sinking funds are very important. This is when you begin to realise how important financial prudence is. It’s about managing future needs.

“By understanding our people’s needs, we can think about how to meet those people’s needs at the local level, and champion them at a national level, which is what Biow Chuan has been doing. Not just the concerns of Mountbatten residents, but the concerns of all Singaporeans.”

Mr Lim, 52, was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC) from 2006 to 2011, before his Mountbatten ward was carved out as a Single Member Constituency (SMC) for the last GE in 2011.

Mr Lim went on to secure 58.62 per cent of the vote against fellow lawyer Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss of the National Solidarity Party (NSP).

Ms Chong-Aruldoss has already confirmed she will contest the Mountbatten seat again this year, albeit under the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) banner.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 21, 2015
Amy Khor To Defend Hong Kah North SMC For PAP

The People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Amy Khor will defend her Hong Kah North seat in the coming General Election (GE).

Dr Khor, 57, served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hong Kah Group Representation Constituency (GRC) from 2001. For the last GE in 2011, her ward was hived off as a Single Member Constituency (SMC).

Dr Khor is the Senior Minister of State for Health and for Manpower. She also serves as the Deputy Government Whip. Prior to entering politics, Dr Khor was a lecturer at the National University of Singapore from 1989 to 1999.

At the last GE, she defeated Singapore People’s Party (SPP) candidate Sin Kek Tong with 70.61 per cent of the vote. This time, the SPP has declared it will contest the Hong Kah North seat once again.

The Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) secretary-general Benjamin Pwee has earlier said the “best candidate” from his party’s partnership with the SPP will be fielded, but SPP later clarified that its alliance with DPP does not extend beyond a joint team for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Source: www.channelnewsasia.com

August 21, 2015
PAP’s Leadership Renewal Not Particularly Impressive

People like myself who have suffered under PAP’s policies would like to see the time when they lose power. Given GE2015’s slate of candidates where no single alternative party is aiming to form the government, more opposition seats will allow them a platform to push for their alternative views while working hard for Singaporeans to safeguard their mandate in GE2020. Ultimately, Singaporeans benefit.

Looking at the new candidates from both sides, we are seeing some whose resumes are not particularly accomplished; People such as Daryl David and Joan Pereira have deputy-director level positions which are only equal to, or weaker than, the alternative parties’ who have managed to get full professors and associate professors. In short, the PAP has declined vis-à-vis the alternative parties.

These are new faces whose track record cannot be seen. Yet even for existing ones, does the electorate necessarily respect the new generation PAP ministers as much as they do for the first generation? For for LKY himself, there would be a day when “either because the PAP has declined in quality or the opposition has put up a team which is equal to the PAP and they say, let’s try the other side.”

New generation ministers such as Lawrence Wong has not stuck a particularly strong cord with voters. His track record of handling issues such as the rat infestation in Jurong and handling of the SEA games saga has proven him to be a far cry from the competent first-generation PAP. What about paper generals such as Chan Chun Sing who have not proven themselves in terms of policy making?

The fall of Aljunied GRC to the opposition has proven two things. First, LKY was right about PAP losing power. Second, the electorate is willing to reduce their standards for alternative parties relative to the PAP possibly as a result of their discontent. Moving forward, it would most certainly seem that GE2015 would be the true watershed elections.

By denying the PAP a two-thirds majority, we can see an improvement in our standards of living. Trust me on that.

Source: http://mythoughtsinafewparagraphs.net

August 20, 2015
Ng Chee Meng – From Botak Boy To Man

There was a massive downpour on the day of Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s state funeral.

But soldiers, drenched head to toe, remained at their posts in front of the barricades.

From among the crowd behind them, a hand held an umbrella over a thoroughly-soaked serviceman in a futile attempt to shelter him.

That image from March 29 this year remains etched in outgoing Chief of Defence Force Ng Chee Meng’s mind.

The gesture edged him closer to his decision to serve Singapore in a different capacity – in politics.

“When we saw the unity of Singaporeans, it gave (me) a lot of encouragement to see Singaporeans coming together.

“The umbrella physically did nothing for the body, but it did wonders for the soul,” he said.

Yesterday, Lt-Gen Ng, 47, handed over the reins of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) to his successor, Major-General Perry Lim.

Before the change-of-command parade yesterday afternoon at the Safti Military Institute, Lt-Gen Ng spoke about his 29 years in the military and about his next phase of life.

Though he is stepping down a few months earlier than the usual three-year term for a defence chief, Lt-Gen Ng said he leaves the SAF a better and stronger force than it was.

Under his leadership, the SAF successfully carried out missions in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden, as well as humanitarian and disaster relief operations in the region.

The SAF today has the best weapons and technology available and is in advanced stages of linking its fighting platforms into a network of communication systems.

This will enable the SAF to have greater combat power beyond its size and physical numbers, Lt-Gen Ng said.

Planning for the next 15 to 20 years has also begun, with the SAF looking at the use of robots to alleviate the manpower crunch.

“The day we are completely satisfied… is the day that we will deteriorate.

“The SAF is not a perfect organisation. We always scan and see how we can bring the organisation forward and serve even better,” he said.

SAF EXPERIENCE

Lt-Gen Ng joined the SAF in December 1986 and went on to become a fighter pilot before moving up the ranks.

The SAF has given him a rich cache of memories, he said, fondly recalling his time in Basic Military Training (BMT) and the Air Force.

“The SAF turned a botak boy into a man,” he said.

As Chief of Defence Force, he was the chief military adviser to the Defence Minister and Prime Minister.

Initially drawing a blank when asked about his most cherished memory in the SAF, Lt-Gen Ng said that the past six months, particularly during the week of mourning for Mr Lee and the period leading up to the Golden Jubilee National Day, were among the most unforgettable.

Last week, he flew a F-5S Tiger fighter jet for the last time and was pleasantly surprised to see a rainbow when he touched down. He immediately took a picture with his wife.

“My journey in the SAF has come to an end. I’ve chased the rainbow with my wife by my side.

“When I finished, there was really a rainbow. How nice,” he said.

GOING INTO POLITICS

Lt-Gen Ng said yesterday it was already an “open secret” that he was going into politics.

Coming to that decision was not easy – it was only after much thought and advice from his family and mentors, he said.

Ng’s elder brother, Major-General (NS) Ng Chee Khern, 49, is the Permanent Secretary (Defence Development) at the Ministry of Defence and Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.

His younger brother, Mr Ng Chee Peng, 45, a former Chief of Navy, was appointed chief executive of the Central Provident Fund earlier this year.

But, after benefitting much from society, he now hopes to give back.

If he does stand in the coming election, he will be the highest-ranking military officer to do so. It will also mark the first time that a defence chief has entered politics.

He said: “It’s been a wonderful journey (in the SAF). I would like to give back to society in small ways for all the benefits that I gained.

“I care about Singapore’s future, about Singaporeans’ well-being… and what Singapore will be like for my grandkids.”

Outgoing chief played multiple roles

Lieutenant-General Ng Chee Meng, 47, was appointed the Chief of Defence Force on March 27, 2013.

He held various key command and staff appointments in 29 years of service, including the Chief of Air Force.

He was also the Military Private Secretary to the Defence Minister from December 1995 to July 1996.

Lt-Gen Ng, who has two daughters, also sat on the boards of Singapore Technologies Engineering, Defence Science and Technology Agency, and Jurong Town Corporation.

Most recently, he was the chairman of the State Funeral Organising Committee for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew and was among the first set of vigil guards to stand by the founding Prime Minister’s casket as it lay in state at Parliament House.

He also led the preparations for the Golden Jubilee National Day Parade, which was held on Aug 9.

Source: www.tnp.sg

August 20, 2015