Third batch of new PAP candidates includes former IMDA chief executive

Singapore

DEPUTY Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat rolled out a third batch of new People's Action Party (PAP) candidates on Thursday to contest the General Election due on July 10.

They included former Community Chest managing director Ng Ling Ling, 48, and 43-year-old former Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) chief executive Tan Kiat How.

The other two were lawyer Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 39, and former Parkway Holdings group chief executive Tan See Leng who, at 55, is likely to be the PAP's oldest new faces for the coming election.

The ruling PAP has said that the median age for its 26 new PAP candidates is 43.

This third batch is the most senior cohort of PAP new faces unveiled so far.

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In a Zoom press conference, Mr Heng, who is the PAP's first assistant secretary-general, said the four new candidates came from a modest family background but, thanks to Singapore's education system in bringing out the best in its students, they have been "able to achieve what they set out to do".

Mr Zhulkarnain, the youngest among the four, is a partner at law frim Dentons Rodyk and Davidson. A PAP press release said over the last decade, the father of three has conducted free legal clinics and done pro bono work as an assigned solicitor with the Legal Aid Bureau.

Mr Zhulkarnain, who is most concerned with issues relating to social mobility and social cohesion, was previously the chairman of the Association of Muslim Professionals.

He came from a family of six children. His mother was a housewife and his father a blue-collar worker who worked his way up to the rank of a supervisor in a construction company.

"From him, I remember the importance of life-long learning," said Mr Zhulkarnain who has been seen volunteering in Chua Chu Kang GRC.

Asked what changes he would push for if elected, Mr Zhulkarnain noted that Covid-19 has shown up various digital inequalities among Singaporeans. "But what I feel is that beyond digital connectivity, it is human connectivity that we would have to look at in terms of policy-making and process," he added.

Ms Ng, one of 10 new women candidates PAP will be fielding, spent six years in banking before moving to social and public services. Named Woman of the Year in 2018 by Her World magazine for her work as managing director of Community Chest, she sees "the importance of long-term holistic care, as our population ages rapidly, to consider both the social and health aspects to the well-being of our elderly".

Ms Ng, who is married with one child, is tipped to run in Ang Mo Kio GRC. Recently during the Covid-19 outbreak, she said she helped bring in telehealth systems for community care facilities like the Singapore Expo.

Mr Tan, a public servant for almost 20 years, was part of the team that set up the Pioneer Generation Office, which is now known as the Silver Generation Office. He was responsible for mobilising 3,000 volunteers to reach out to nearly half a million seniors.

Under his watch, IMDA took steps to build up Singapore's connectivity infrastructure. Previously as deputy secretary for cyber and technology at the Ministry of Communications and Information, he worked on Singapore's national cybersecurity strategy.

Mr Tan said digitalisation is an issue close to his heart. "Helping workers, businesses to use technology to create more opportunities and for a better life ( we got to make) sure that no one is left behind in a digital future."

Dr Tan, a family physician by training, grew up in a Toa Payoh rental flat. He has spent over 30 years in the medical sector.

Dr Tan was also group chief executive of IHH Healthcare, the world's second biggest listed hospital group by market capitalisation.

Currently a corporate adviser to Temasek Holdings, an adviser to DBS Bank and an independent director of Surbana Jurong, he is tipped to succeed Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in Marine Parade GRC.

If elected, Dr Tan said he would push for a "one-stop seamless access" to the many government support schemes for small and medium enterprises and business start-ups.

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