Bukit Batok independent’s manifesto: More happiness
Independent candidate for Bukit Batok SMC Samir Salim Neji leaves Keming Primary School on Sept 1, 2015. Photo: Jason Quah
SINGAPORE — The previously unknown independent candidate who appeared out of nowhere to turn Bukit Batok Single-Member Constituency into an unexpected three-cornered fight says he is contesting to “stand up for more happiness” after noticing increasing stress levels in Singapore.
“I want to reduce the stress so that there is more time with family. How many hours does a Singaporean work? We don’t have any private time for ourselves,” said Mr Samir Salim Neji, 45, the managing director of business planning software company Anaplan Asia Pacific.
“If you were to put a caption on me, it’ll be that I stand for more happiness and less stress,” he said, adding that the only way to do so is to promote entrepreneurship and start-ups.
“I want Singapore to have in the next five years probably 10 Facebooks, Ubers — those kind of companies. We have more Government-linked companies here. I think we need a change in industry structure,” said Mr Salim Neji, who will face up against the People’s Action Party’s David Ong, 54, and Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) candidate Sadasivam Veriyah, 63.
Mr Salim Neji, who is married with two daughters aged 11 and 13, moved from India to Singapore about two decades ago and became a citizen around 15 years ago. He says his wife, who is 40 years old, is “very supportive” of his decision to contest the Sept 11 poll. He has been discussing his political ambitions with her for the past two to three years, and decided it was time to “take it to the next level” this election.
They live in the western part of Singapore, but not in the single-seat ward. With more than 20 volunteers, mainly Bukit Batok residents, behind him, Mr Salim Neji acknowledged his team’s size pales in comparison with his opponents’. Hence, his campaign will largely be conducted on social media.
“Why I picked Bukit Batok is because the cost of living is low here. This can be a start-up village for Singapore. The vision is build this place as a start-up entrepreneur (place) so that we drive more jobs and employment.”
