LinkedIn Public Policy Chief, Former SCDF Commander Officially Introduced as PAP Candidates

SINGAPORE — The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) on Thursday (June 25) unveiled its fifth batch of new candidates for the July 10 election, bringing the total number of new faces unveiled to 19.

The group’s members are Alvin Tan Sheng Hui, head of public policy and economics for Asia Pacific at LinkedIn, and Eric Chua Swee Leong, former commander of the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) 3rd Division. The group members were introduced by party vice-chairman Masagos Zulkifli.

The other two are Yeo Wan Ling, CEO of Caregiver Asia, who previously served on the global operations team at the Economic Development Board (EDB), and Dr Wan Rizal, senior lecturer in sports and exercise science at Republic Polytechnic.

During a virtual press conference broadcast from the PAP headquarters in New Upper Changi Road, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos noted that each member of the quartet had diverse and interesting life experiences and that he would address the need for diverse viewpoints within the party.

“We expect their trials to produce competent and capable leaders who will serve with integrity,” he added.

A total of 11 candidates were introduced in three separate sessions on Thursday, but it is not known which districts they will compete in in the upcoming general election.

PAP said it would unveil 26 new candidates aged 30 to 56 over the next three days. Ten of them will be female candidates, the party added, as part of efforts to recruit more women to its roster.

Alvin Tan: Digitalization, Lifelong Learning

Tan, 39, was previously head of public policy for Southeast Asia at Facebook and represented the company in a dispute over Singapore’s fake news law,

In early 2018, he submitted a written submission on behalf of the company to a commission investigating online counterfeits, stating that he “does not believe that legislation is the best approach to addressing this problem.”

“I have to say up front that I am no longer an employee of Facebook, but I feel very strongly about these issues – misinformation on social media – especially in a world where information is growing rapidly, accelerated by technology,” the father of two said.

“There are many areas where you can help defend society, and even defend its civic practices, including electoral politics. One of the most important ways is to vaccinate your population with digital literacy.”

Tan had a somewhat unconventional educational path: he was once held back for a year and refused admission to a local university. Despite a difficult start, he eventually earned a Bachelor of Economics (Hons) from the University of Sydney and later a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University.

Outside the technology sector, he has worked at the Ministry of National Defense, the United Nations, and the nonprofit Oxfam, as well as in investment banking at Goldman Sachs.

“I want to leverage my skills and experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors to help Singaporeans become even more agile and prepare them for the future of work, which has arrived much sooner than we expected,” said Tan, who noted that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the need for such digital skills.

“And (if) by the time COVID-19 is over and we don’t change, we’re not comfortable with technology, (then) I think we may have let our people down. And that’s why I’m going to continue to advocate really tirelessly for it,” he said.

Tan has been volunteering since 2005, mainly in the Kreta Ayer region, helping seniors there learn to use technology such as headphones, smartphones and messaging apps.

Eric Chua: Working with Youth

Chua, 41, is the son of a forklift driver and a factory production operator who was previously a seamstress who worked from home.

He later received a Local Merit Scholarship (Civil Defence) from the Public Service Commission to study Communications Studies at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). After graduating in 2002, he served in the SCDF and later became the commander of the SCDF 3rd Division.

The father of the eight-day-old son later became director of the SGSecure Programme Office at the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Chua, who has been involved in social activities for 15 years, previously served as chairman of the Central Youth Council of the People’s Association Youth Movement and various social committees.

“If elected, one of the several areas I would like to focus on is ensuring young people, especially those from poor families like myself, still have a fair chance to succeed in life,” he said.

Noting that Singapore’s system works well, he stressed that “a working system does not mean it doesn’t need work. In fact, we have to work hard to keep the system running.”

Yeo Wan Ling: Seniors and caregivers, independent workers

Yeo, 44, left EDB after 17 years to found Caregiver Group, a global home healthcare company.

The group includes Caregiver Asia, a social enterprise that connects families in need of care with independent caregivers.

“When I started running the social enterprise, I noticed a gap and need in the community for home care services, especially long-term care for the elderly and sick,” said Yeo, who is married.

She was prompted to leave EDB, where she had been involved in sourcing foreign direct investment from the Americas and North Asia, by the time she spent with her grandmother in her final years.

“I realized how important it is to be able to age gracefully and with dignity,” Yeo said.

“I want to be an ‘inside’ community champion. For care programs so our community can take care of each other in a sustainable way.”

Yeo also highlighted a number of gaps in how the needs of young families who want to balance work with childcare are met, as well as in the area of ​​freelancers, “especially during this period of economic turmoil”.

“I’ve met people who suddenly had to take on additional work. Because in a family where there used to be more than one breadwinner, now there’s just one breadwinner, with the same obligations and burdens,” she said.

Dr. Wan Rizal: Education is the Key to Social Mobility

The 42-year-old father-of-four said he strongly believes “education is the key to social mobility”, citing his own “non-linear” educational path.

Dr. Wan Rizal was a Normal Academic student who entered a polytechnic and later graduated with a degree in physical education at the age of 31. In 2017, he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree from NTU.

“(Education) is how we can enable people who have less or have achieved less to move up and prevent the stratification of our society. Singapore must continue to be a land of opportunity for all, not just the privileged few who are lucky, but for every Singaporean,” he said.

Dr Wan Rizal emphasised that the COVID-19 pandemic has proven that Singapore must continue to provide ample opportunities for Singaporeans to develop their skills.

He started volunteering in 2010 and served as the chairman of Al-Islah Mosque in Punggol and was also a member of the Punggol Interracial and Religious Trust Circle.

He also served on the Citizens’ Consultative Committees in Pasir Ris East and Punggol East.

He is currently a member of the M3 Advisory Committee, which comprises Mendaki, the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) and the Malay People’s Association (Mesra) Executive Committees – Ministry of Transport, and the Ministry of Social and Family Development.

“I am honored to now have the opportunity to serve the community at a higher level. I hope to be a voice in Parliament that supports social mobility,” said Dr. Wan Rizal.

“I think our education (system) is on the right track. Now I hope to be a part of its further development.”

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