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Nov 13, 2010
10 tips for MP wannabes
1. BE SINCERE AND DILIGENT
Mr Alvin Yeo (Hong Kah GRC): 'You can sit in your office and think of all the wonderful things you'd like to do to help residents but unless you're actually out there helping them, they're not getting it. You win your spurs and credibility by helping people.'
2. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN
When Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) took a problem-solving approach to his residents' concerns in the first year, he realised he was speaking more than he listened. 'I learnt quickly that listening to residents was as important as finding solutions for them.'
3. DON'T BE JUDGMENTAL
Mr Lui Tuck Yew (Tanjong Pagar GRC) says he and his helpers are prepared to be fooled once. 'It is better to extend help than not to do so.'
4. APPRECIATE YOUR GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEERS
Mrs Josephine Teo (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC): 'Everyone is a volunteer and has a regular day job, so you have to learn not to overstress them. Things don't have to be perfect.'
5. COMMUNICATE
To allay concerns about a nursing home to be built in his ward, Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) called for a gathering of residents and representatives of the relevant government agencies immediately.
'Meet the residents early, understand their concern. Even if you can't solve it 100 per cent, if you do something to mitigate it, people will appreciate it.'
6. CHAMPION CAUSES - BUT ONLY IF YOU FEEL PASSIONATELY ABOUT THEM
Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC): 'Don't champion a cause because publicists say you need to have an identity. You'll be found out if people think you don't really believe in it.'
7. TREAT THE JOB AS A HIGHER CALLING
Mr Lee Yi Shyan (East Coast GRC): 'If your objective is to serve, you won't risk being disappointed. There is a Chinese saying: If your heart is righteous, the world will be at ease. That's the inner attitude required for this job.'
8. BOND WITH YOUR FELLOW MPS AND HELP EACH OTHER OUT
The class of 2006 takes pride in getting along well and consulting each other. Mr Masagos Zulkifli (Tampines GRC): 'We make ourselves available. I stand in for other MPs as guest of honour at a function even if it's my day off. I'm prepared for late night calls asking for my help.'
9. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FAMILY
When hard-pressed, Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) tells his children to eat less for dinner so that he can take them out for supper when he gets home. 'I'd take them to a roti prata place nearby and, sometimes, even for a midnight movie after that.'
10. DON'T BURN OUT AND BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tanjong Pagar GRC): 'Don't push yourself too hard. It must be sustained. You must have the long-term view that you are there for at least five years or even longer. But be bold enough to try new things and not be pigeonholed by old ways.'
10 tips for MP wannabes
1. BE SINCERE AND DILIGENT
Mr Alvin Yeo (Hong Kah GRC): 'You can sit in your office and think of all the wonderful things you'd like to do to help residents but unless you're actually out there helping them, they're not getting it. You win your spurs and credibility by helping people.'
2. LISTEN, LISTEN, LISTEN
When Mr Christopher de Souza (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) took a problem-solving approach to his residents' concerns in the first year, he realised he was speaking more than he listened. 'I learnt quickly that listening to residents was as important as finding solutions for them.'
3. DON'T BE JUDGMENTAL
Mr Lui Tuck Yew (Tanjong Pagar GRC) says he and his helpers are prepared to be fooled once. 'It is better to extend help than not to do so.'
4. APPRECIATE YOUR GRASSROOTS VOLUNTEERS
Mrs Josephine Teo (Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC): 'Everyone is a volunteer and has a regular day job, so you have to learn not to overstress them. Things don't have to be perfect.'
5. COMMUNICATE
To allay concerns about a nursing home to be built in his ward, Dr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) called for a gathering of residents and representatives of the relevant government agencies immediately.
'Meet the residents early, understand their concern. Even if you can't solve it 100 per cent, if you do something to mitigate it, people will appreciate it.'
6. CHAMPION CAUSES - BUT ONLY IF YOU FEEL PASSIONATELY ABOUT THEM
Ms Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC): 'Don't champion a cause because publicists say you need to have an identity. You'll be found out if people think you don't really believe in it.'
7. TREAT THE JOB AS A HIGHER CALLING
Mr Lee Yi Shyan (East Coast GRC): 'If your objective is to serve, you won't risk being disappointed. There is a Chinese saying: If your heart is righteous, the world will be at ease. That's the inner attitude required for this job.'
8. BOND WITH YOUR FELLOW MPS AND HELP EACH OTHER OUT
The class of 2006 takes pride in getting along well and consulting each other. Mr Masagos Zulkifli (Tampines GRC): 'We make ourselves available. I stand in for other MPs as guest of honour at a function even if it's my day off. I'm prepared for late night calls asking for my help.'
9. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR FAMILY
When hard-pressed, Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) tells his children to eat less for dinner so that he can take them out for supper when he gets home. 'I'd take them to a roti prata place nearby and, sometimes, even for a midnight movie after that.'
10. DON'T BURN OUT AND BE TRUE TO YOURSELF
Mr Baey Yam Keng (Tanjong Pagar GRC): 'Don't push yourself too hard. It must be sustained. You must have the long-term view that you are there for at least five years or even longer. But be bold enough to try new things and not be pigeonholed by old ways.'
