[youtube id=”pXAjj2Grljc” align=”center” mode=”normal”]

The Workers’ Party’s fifth and final batch of candidates were introduced on Monday (31 Aug). The three candidates are Mr Bernard Chen, 29, a project executive at a funeral services company; Mr Leon Perera, 44, CEO of an international research and consulting agency; and, Ms Frieda Chan, 39, a medical social worker.

In his introduction, Mr Perera, whose parents were primary school teachers, said: “It is important to take citizenship seriously. We are more than just residents, we should not see ourselves as just passive consumers of the state’s services. We are citizens – we can and should take an interest in the political and social system of our country and try to shape it to reflect what we want our country to be.”

Issues that he will champion if voted into Parliament include retirement adequacy issues (“aging actively and with dignity” is an issue close to his heart), and those related to the economy. Mr Perera reiterated that economic development needs to be considered in a more holistic way, in which the focus is not just GDP, but fundamentally, about the quality of life.

Ms Chan joined the Workers’ Party in 2006 and contested in GE 2011 in Moulmein-Kallang GRC, where her team garnered 41.45% of the total valid votes (that GRC will be dropped in the upcoming GE). Currently working in a hospital, Ms Chan assists families with financial difficulties. She also recently gave birth to a son and spoke of gaps in the system with regards to caregiving and the stress it places on those with young children and elderly parents. Ms Chan spoke of a greater need for social and emotional care for caregivers and will like a chance to be a voice in Parliament and contribute to policymaking in these areas.

When introducing the final candidate, Sylvia Lim recounted how when she got to know Mr Chan, he was a polytechnic student; he has since gone on to study at NUS and recently returned from Oxford University. The 29-year-old is the youngest WP candidate to contest this elections, but is one of the longest-serving members (nine years). He has served as legislative assistant to MP Low Thia Khiang and MP Muhamad Faisal bin Abdul Manap, which requires him to be on the ground and listen to the needs of the people, an experience he describes as humbling.

Mr Chan, whose father is a coffeeshop runner and mother is a part-time cleaner, said he has always been interested in politics. He believes public service is something commendable. “By taking this step out today, I am merely doing my part as a Singaporean to serve, to inspire, and to empower my fellow citizens.”

The Workers’ Party will be fielding 28 candidates in the General Elections. On Saturday, the party launched their 48-page manifesto, “Empower Your Future”.

Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
You May Also Like

SDP calls for independent inquiry following irregularities on Polling Day which prevented a woman from voting

In a media release earlier today (16 July), Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)…

SDP volunteer asks if RC leaked information to PAP member

A volunteer from the Singapore Democratic Party, Abdul Salim Harun questions if…

若国人海外被拘留 维文:立即通知亲属,亦会申请介入支援

外交部长维文昨日(4日)于国会表示,若有国人在其他国家被逮捕或拘留,该部将确保有关新加坡公民按照当地法律被对待;而使馆的领事支援,取决于不同个案的处境,以及我国与相关国家的双边关系和国际协议。 “在此之上,仍须符合当地法律。” 昨日非选区议员贝理安提问,若有国人在海外被逮捕或提控,当接到当事人、家属或政府机构的通报,外交部会基于什么因素来采取行动,以及提供多大程度的领事支援? 对此维文强调,若外交部得知有国人在国外被拘留,该部会立即联系有关国人亲属,也会立即向当地政府了解案件详情,并申请让驻当地使馆介入提供援助。 同时,也会安排让亲属可探望在海外被拘留的国人。 “再次我需强调,这些都必须取得当地政府的同意。”外交部也会向当地政府跟进相关国人案件进展,并与他的亲属保持联系,以及提供领事支援。 他表示政府一再提醒,出差或到访其他国家的国民,需遵守该国法律。 公民莫汉被引渡槟城   申诉拘留期间未有人探访过他 此前,本社报导一名本地公民莫汉(Mohan Rajangam),阐述自己在五年前突然被警方搜查和逮捕。 本社早在去年12月17日,就已致函外交部、国家法院、内政部等各造,以核实事实详情。但直至上月17日,一个月后新加坡警方才回应,并坚称莫汉移交马国执法机构,符合《刑事程序法》下法律框架。…

人力部报告称上半年就业人数增加;九成雇主认为培训员工适应新科技有挑战

尽管我国今年上半年的就业人数持续增加,但仍有调查显示,随着科技日新月异的发展,雇主在采用新科技上,仍面临难以聘雇与培训新进人员的问题。 据人力部公布的第二季度劳动市场报告,我国今年上半年的就业总人数增1万6900人,比去年同期整整多出了1万人,其中我国人民占了5300,而就业领域则包含在社区、社会和个人服务、专业服务、金融与保险,以及咨询通信领域. 不过,本地就业的外籍人士也增加了1万1600人。 至于裁员情况则维持在水平,今年上半年共有5550人被裁退,同去年同期(共5350人)不相上下。 值得一提的是,PMET(是专业人士、经理、执行员与技师)在第二季度被裁退职业类别中,仍是占比最高的,达到77巴仙。 2019年上半年PMET被裁员人数多达3120人。而根据今年4月人力部长杨莉明在国会答复,在2018年,有5400位本地PMET被裁员。 职缺连续两季度减16巴仙 经季度性调整后,今年的职缺空位有明显下降趋势,由3月份的5万7100职缺,减少到6月份4万7700份。在6月份PMET的空缺占了近六成,再来是服务业(23巴仙)和生产相关行业(18巴仙)。 至于失业率,经季度调整后,居民失业率从3月的3巴仙,微升到6月的3.1%。居民长期失业率则保持在0.7%。 近年来推动数码转型,使业者在培训与招聘面临阻碍 尽管职缺空位有了明显下降,科技快速发展,加上政府近年来推动数码转型,但许多业者在培训或聘雇路上仍面临阻碍。 据《今日报》报道,人力资源公司罗致恒富(Robert…