Former WP treasurer, academic seeking to be NMPs
SINGAPORE — A former Opposition politician and an academic spurred on by the spirited debate over the alignment of the future Cross Island MRT line were among those who have submitted their names to be considered as Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs), a day before the deadline for submissions.
Former Workers’ Party (WP) treasurer Eric Tan, 60, and Assistant Professor Liew Kai Khiun, 43, from the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information at Nanyang Technological University, put forward their nominations yesterday.
Also known to be gunning for a seat in the House as NMPs are business owner Mohamed Nawaz, visual artist Felicia Low and theatre practitioner Kok Heng Leun, who is trying again after failing in 2014 to become the NMP representing the arts fraternity.
Mr Tan, who served in the WP’s Central Executive Committee from 2006 to 2011, said he hoped to champion efforts to help retired seniors continue earning an income. He hopes to look into an ecosystem that brings together parties such as employers and the Government — akin to a job-matching arrangement — to explore how these seniors, especially the professionals, managers, executives and technicians, can remain employed.
A former banker, he also hopes to contribute in the area of retooling the economy, given his experience in banking.
Asked whether being a former opposition party member might affect his chances, Mr Tan said he was non-partisan now, as he does not belong to any political party.
“I didn’t participate in the last election as a candidate, nor did I actively help in the elections, so I believe I will have to let the committee decide.”
Asst Prof Liew said he was prompted to step forward after an “unprecedented” outpouring of concern from the public over the environmental impact of one of the Cross Island Line alignment options that the authorities are considering, which will see part of the tunnel pass under the Central Catchment Nature Reserve.
He hoped his application would raise the visibility of the issue.
Also making his second attempt at being appointed an NMP, Asst Prof Liew also wants to explore how to strengthen the growing number of civil-society groups here.
As for Mr Nawaz, 36, who owns BodyPulse, a company providing personal development and enrichment programmes, he hoped to bring to the table creative ideas to raise awareness of the many government assistance schemes, such as those for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). “People don’t really know how to reach these schemes,” he said.
Dr Low, founding director of non-profit organisation Community Cultural Development, said she had been approached by the arts community to run as its NMP nominee, but she did not feel comfortable representing the whole fraternity, since she was not in tune with certain elements, including “the commercial side of visual art”.
As an independent nominee, she could raise issues that affect both the arts and social sectors.
Dr Low’s work includes exploring the role of the arts in helping communities with special needs, such as dementia patients.
The 40-year-old, who also teaches at the School of the Arts and SIM University, hopes to champion the interests of groups, including the less-academically inclined by bringing up professional best practices.
Mr Kok, artistic director at theatre company Drama Box, said arts and culture should have a place in the national conversation.
He would like to engage the arts fraternity to identify issues that need to be brought to the attention of policymakers and Singaporeans.
The public and the seven functional groups — including business and industry, and media, arts and sports organisations — have until 4.30pm today to submit nominations.
Last Friday, the labour movement was the first functional group to publicly announce veteran unionist K Thanaletchimi, 50, as its candidate.
Immediate-past NMP Kuik Shiao-Yin, 38, has also confirmed that she was seeking re-nomination.
