Malaysian still want Singapore Citizenship...one example is below:
SINGAPORE - After attending her first Meet-the-People session (MPS) last year, new PAP candidate Foo Mee Har could not sleep that night.
She said she was moved and inspired by the volunteers she met there, such as one who returned after heart surgery to help residents draft appeal letters.
"I've done volunteer work overseas but this is close to home, this is tangible," said Ms Foo, 45.
When a reporter pointed out that the Malaysia-born Ms Foo was the second People's Action Party (PAP) candidate - after Dr Janil Puthucheary - to be a new citizen, she replied Singapore had been home since 1989 and that she "literally grew up here".
She added: "I can't think of any other place than Singapore as home. I had my first job here ... I married my husband, who is many generations Singaporean. My boys are going to do National Service. I care, I want to make a difference to the lives of Singaporeans ..."
A corporate high-flier, Ms Foo was also asked whether she was leaving her job as global head of premium banking at Standard Chartered.
"I'm new to politics," acknowledged Ms Foo. "I understand the full commitment that it takes to serve the people ... I have the full support of my family and the bank."
Pressed on whether she would give up her banking career for a political one, Ms Foo replied that her "immediate priority" was to earn the trust and mandate of voters.
Having joined the PAP last year, would Ms Foo be concerned over her apparent lack of experience, compared to other parliamentary hopefuls?
She said: "I don't have father or friends who have been in politics before. For me, it's going to MPS and seeing the joy from people we have helped." Leong Wee Keat
Foo Mee Har
Global head of premium banking at Standard Chartered, 45
FACTFILE:
- Born in Malaysia, has made Singapore home since 1989
- Joined the PAP last year
She said ...
"I can't think of any other place than Singapore as home ... I care, I want to make a difference to the lives of Singaporeans and that's why I'm here, standing, hoping to have an opportunity to serve them."
POSSIBLE WARD:
Holland-Bukit Timah GRC