For the first time in many months, the news is not dominated by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The coronavirus is still around, though, as half-faced residents on the street demonstrate.
But with the election just over two weeks away, political stories have dominated the headlines and parties are unveiling their candidates.
Having announced their first two groups of potential candidates, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat formally introduced PAP’s third group on Thursday morning (25 June).
So, who are these candidates?
Tan Kiat How, 42 (Former IMDA CEO)
Remember when IMDA CEO Tan Kiat How stepped down and everyone speculated that it was because he was going to run in the election?
Well, unlike rumours that your uncle sends you about coronavirus cures, this turned out to be true.
When Kiat left his post at IMDA after over three years as CEO, he was asked about a potential foray into politics.
Kiat said “it would be premature to share” any such plans, adding that he’s taking a short break to prepare for the birth of his first child in August.
And then, nine days later, PAP unveils him as a candidate.
I guess he likes keeping people in suspense.
In 2017, Kiat led the merger of the then-Infocomm Development Authority and the then-Media Development Authority to form IMDA, reported CNA.
Yes, those two entities were separate back then.
He also established the Pioneer Generation Office, now known as the Silver Generation Office, an organisation that “reaches out to all Singapore Citizen seniors to share with them government schemes”.
During the Covid-19 outbreak, Kiat also set up a 1,000-strong Digital Ambassador network to help seniors, hawkers, and coffee shop stall owners acquire digital tools and skills.
People who speculated that Kiat would enter politics also believed he would contest in East Coast GRC this election.
Let’s wait and see if that happens.
Tan See Leng, 55 (Former CEO & Managing Director of IHH Healthcare)
The second candidate, Tan See Leng, has over 30 years of experience in the healthcare industry.
Tan stepped down as managing director and chief executive officer of IHH Healthcare last December after his contract ended.
IHH Healthcare is one of the largest healthcare groups in the world, according to CNA.
The father-of-three says one of his biggest concerns is the country’s rapidly ageing population.
According to Mothership, Tan was the only child of an SBS bus timekeeper and a homemaker, and he grew up in a rental flat in Toa Payoh.
He was awarded a scholarship to study humanities at an Ivy League school due to his academic excellence but later decided to study medicine after seeing how his mother was helped by doctors when she was seriously ill.
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Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 39 (Lawyer at Dentons Rodyk & Davidson)
Many good lawyers make great politicians because both professions require you to be a confident speaker, a good people-person, and a skilled persuader.
Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim is a 39-year-old litigation and dispute resolution partner with law firm Dentons Rodyk & Davidson.
Zhulkarnain has a Bachelor of Law degree from NUS and a master’s degree in Islamic law and finance from SMU according to CNA.
As a lawyer, Zhulkarnain believes in providing the underprivileged with the necessary means to seek justice.
This is why he conducted free legal clinics and did pro bono work as an assigned solicitor with the Legal Aid Bureau for the last decade.
He also volunteers in various organisations like Casa Raudha Women Home, a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
The 39-year-old’s biggest concern is social mobility and social cohesion.
He believes that these two issues will “help shape the future of our Singapore, for our children and the generations after them”.
Ng Ling Ling, 48 (Former Chief of Future Primary Care)
The fourth candidate, Ng Ling Ling, was named Her World’s Woman of the Year in 2018 for her work at Community Chest.
Ling was the former chief of future primary care and director of community engagement at the Ministry of Health’s Office for Healthcare Transformation.
She has a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from NTU and a master’s degree in public administration from the Australian National University.
After six years in the banking sector, Ling switched career paths and began working in social and public services.
The mother-of-one said that she made the career switch after being inspired by her “humble childhood and upbringing”.
Ling served as the managing director of the Community Chest for five years, a social welfare agency.
According to Mothership, she has helped raise millions in donations for social service agencies.
When introducing Ling, DPM Heng described her as someone who is “always sensitive to the plight of others, including drug use”.
Just like Tan See Leng, Ling is concerned about Singapore’s ageing population, saying she wants to “advocate for more ways to empower seniors to understand their health and to live healthily for a longer period.”
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