GE2015: WP introduces four more candidates
The Workers' Party introduces four more candidates for the coming elections. From left: Adrian Sim, He Ting Ru, L Somasundaram and Ron Tan. Photo: Wong Pei Ting
SINGAPORE — The Workers' Party (WP) introduced its third batch of candidates today (Aug 28), which comprises three new faces - real estate agent Ron Tan, 30, corporate lawyer He Ting Ru, 32, and businessman Adrian Sim, 43. Mr L Somasundaram, 52, WP’s candidate for Moulmein-Kallang in General Election 2011, was also among the candidates.
WP Chairman Sylvia Lim also responded to a question regarding the PAP's slate of candidates for Aljunied GRC announced today and comments from former minister Lim Boon Heng that residents of the constituency want to see PAP back. "PAP is always a formidable opponent ... they have a huge party machinery and grassroots network ...We will work hard to retain our seats."
Asked about Mr Lim's comments regarding maintenance in the Aljunied estate being "patchy", Ms Lim said residents who are living there can assess this themselves better. "We welcome (all) to come to our constituency to come and see for yourselves," she said.
Hougang candidate Png Eng Huat also fielded questions on the poison pen letter against new WP candidate Daniel Goh.
Mr Png said the party "welcomes scrutiny", but pointed out the media must abide by the promised deadine for a reply before putting up any story.
"This is a difficult and challenging time (during the election period)," he added. "Time is definitely not our side".
He also said the public can come forward and present them with evidence.
As for the batch of new candidates introduced today, Ms He started volunteering with WP in 2011 and feels there is much room for improvement in the policy-making process. "Some young Singaporeans no longer dream of a better life ... Singaporeans want to participate actively in the future of our country. I do not think I should rely solely on the natural aristocrats to do that."
Mr Sim is a father of two children and said he grew up in a poor family background, having to sell Chinese newspapers and ondeh-ondeh to supplement the family income.
On his concerns, he hopes that the underprivileged receive quicker assistance as "a day of waiting is suffering for them".
Mr Tan, who started volunteering with the WP after GE2011, wants to help tweak policies so as to reduce stress levels here.
Mr Somasundaram, who is a polytechnic lecturer, said he hopes to speak up on immigrant issues affecting PMETs and hopes to see more improvement in this aspect.
"My journey (in politics) is in its early stages and I still have a long way to go," he added.
