Diverse NMP hopefuls

[metalslug]

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_375556.html

Diverse NMP hopefuls
Noted figures from the arts, professions and labour vying for slots
By Lee Siew Hua & Zakir Hussain

Both Mrs Chia-Richmond (left) and Mr Lee (right), when interviewed, said they hoped to be voices for Singapore, besides speaking for the sectors they belong to. -- ST PHOTO: BEATRICE CHIA, LAU FOOK HONG

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ONE offered herself as an independent candidate, while another is the sole nominee from giant-sized National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).
Vocal theatre director Beatrice Chia-Richmond, 34, and veteran unionist Terry Lee, 56, are among at least nine new faces vying to be a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).

In addition, at least two existing NMPs are seeking a second term as unelected members of the House, when submission of names for the position closed yesterday. They are Mr Siew Kum Hong, 34, and Mr Gautam Banerjee, 54.

Parliament officials did not reveal the total number of applicants yesterday for the maximum nine NMP places, but in December 2006, a record 48 names were submitted - up from 37 in 2004.

Both Mrs Chia-Richmond and Mr Lee, when interviewed, said they hoped to be voices for Singapore, besides speaking for the sectors they belong to.

Mrs Chia-Richmond's interests span the arts, sports and environment. She is also mindful of the brain drain as she is 'of the demographic that might easily give up citizenship'. As a young mother, she is also interested in education.

Mr Lee, president of the Singapore Insurance Employees' Union since 1982, is pained to see workers struggling in the recession. He hopes to spur a 'learning culture' that involves the Government, socially responsible bosses and workers passionate about building multiple skills.

'Then people will be much more resilient to face any storm,' he said. A member of the NTUC Central Committee, he is also a member of the Central Provident Fund Board.

Mr Siew, who handed in his papers in person at 2.45 pm, quipped that it was a last-minute dash. But he had 'not wavered' about his decision to seek a second term. A corporate counsel, his focus includes needy Singaporeans, civil liberties and economic issues.

Mr Banerjee, executive chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers, had re-applied earlier.

Read the full story in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times.

 

[commoner]

I am not sure how those NMP be a representation of the general public,,,,, its just an extension of PAP ideas,,,,,,

Art, Union Chief, and people in the high places,.,,,,

get a taxi driver, factory operator, hawker, stocker broker, VP of banks and some more normal/common people to represent us can or not?

if they don't understand the new law, they can ask "xin law is si mi lan cheow"

 

[metalslug]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/428480/1/.html

NMP applications close
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 May 2009 2358 hrs

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Some of the candidates for NMP post



SINGAPORE: Applications for the post of Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) closed have closed.

Parliament's Committee of Selection will deliberate over the applications and decide on their appointment.

The term for the current batch of NMPs ends at end-June.

Singapore's Constitution provides for the appointment of up to nine NMPs to give a wider representation of community views in Parliament.

The arts community plans to make greater inroads into the parliamentary process. It has picked two candidates for the NMP post.

Both Loretta Chen and Audrey Wong hope to give an alternative voice to make the arts scene even more vibrant.

Loretta Chen said: "When we are talking about the arts, one of the things that we are talking about is asking for greater transparency in processes and policies, and of course funding is another issue, and nurturing younger artists (is also an issue). But the arts NMP should also be able to talk about other things - the betterment of people's lives and culture."

Audrey Wong said: "The feeling now amongst Singaporeans as well as the arts community is that we need to think a little bit deeper about the arts, we need to go further. You can't just think about commercially driven products, there has to be something else which is very meaningful for Singaporeans, and we feel we need to pay more attention to that."

One of the things candidates applying for the post of NMP have to do is to write an essay on what they hope to contribute if they are chosen to Singapore's Parliament.

For the labour movement's candidate, his area of priority is to further the importance of life-long learning.

Terry Lee Kok Hua, NTUC's candidate for NMP, said: "The labour movement always prides itself to say that the best weapon is a job. But that is the end. We must give people the means to achieve the end and the means I would think so is very much education, training and upgrading. This is something I would like to speak if given the opportunity to develop a learning Singapore culture."

If picked, Mr Lee, who is also the president of the Singapore's Insurance Employees' Union, hopes to tap on his experience sitting on key statutory bodies.

Several professional bodies have also named candidates for the NMP post, among them The Academy of Medicine and the Singapore Business Federation.

The Academy of Medicine gave two names while the Singapore Business Federation confirmed three candidates.

- CNA/ir

 

[mscitw]

Peasant Chia is a bad NMP with her reputation as a hubby thief. She will fight for rights of women who steal others' husband.

Peasant Lee is the regime's spokesman, someone who will only praise the regime e.g. shameless Josephline Teo etc.