Member who had quit is surprise WP candidate

SINGAPORE - The Workers' Party (WP) sprang a surprise on Sunday (Aug 30) when it unveiled a candidate who had been spotted wearing the colours of another opposition party in recent weeks.

Mr Gurmit Singh, 55, who works as a legal counsel in a property firm, started volunteering with the WP after the 2011 polls and became a member in 2013.

Sources had told The Straits Times that Mr Singh quit the WP a few weeks ago after being told he would be a back-up candidate for the Sept 11 polls. Mr Singh then appeared at a Singaporeans First (SingFirst) event.

In response to queries, WP chairman Sylvia Lim confirmed Mr Singh was on its list of candidates as a standby. She added he quit the party and joined SingFirst for a day, after which he retracted his resignation.

"WP took into account Gurmit's good relations with the party, the circumstances of his resignation and his professionalism in handling the matter. WP thus accepted his retraction of resignation," it added.

"We believe Gurmit has much to contribute as a candidate and, if elected, as an MP."

Mr Singh on Sunday said he had explored opportunities with other parties as he was "very enthusiastic" about contesting the election and had gone on only one walkabout with SingFirst when he heard news that WP was likely to field him.

Sources say Mr Singh was wooed back after another potential candidate, lawyer Shaneet Rai, 27, quit. Mr Rai was said to have been unhappy about a team of young first-timers taking on a People's Action Party team helmed by Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam in Nee Soon GRC. Last week, Mr Rai removed all photos of him on walkabouts in WP colours from his public Facebook page. It was taken down and can no longer be accessed.

The team is set to include sales consultant Cheryl Denise Loh, 32; Mr Kenneth Foo, 38, a manager at a voluntary welfare organisation; Mr Luke Koh, 41, managing partner of a private investment business; and property agent Ron Tan, 30.

Sources say Mr Singh started walking with the WP team in Nee Soon GRC at about the same time that Mr Rai dropped out. The WP on Sunday confirmed that Mr Rai had quit.

Mr Rai said on Sunday that he handed in his resignation on Aug 23 but had not heard back from the party.

According to electoral rules on minority representation, political parties standing in Nee Soon GRC are required to field at least one candidate from a non-Malay minority group.

Mr Singh was introduced along with former librarian Mohamed Fairoz Shariff, 36, Mr Foo, and shipping lawyer Dennis Tan, 45.

Workforce issues take priority

Gurmit Singh, 55

Occupation: Head of the legal department at a real estate company

Family: Married to a 51-year-old bank employee. They have a daughter, 25, and a son, 22.

Education: Bachelor of Laws from the University of London, graduate diplomas in legal practice from the University of Western Australia and College of Law, and a graduate diploma in legal studies from the University of New England

Hobbies: Swimming and going to the gym

Why politics?

I've been quite keen on politics since the 1980s. I attended rallies then, when I was in my 20s. Even then, I felt a pull to the opposition. I feel it's good to have alternative views. That's how I slowly drifted to the Workers' Party.

Why you?

At my age now, as head of a legal department, I know the struggles. I came up the hard way. And I know people out there who were struggling with me, and who are still struggling because of a fear of retirement and other employment issues. I want to give professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) like them a voice.

What issues will you focus on?

One is employment priority for Singapore employees and the other is low-wage workers. (People) here are willing to work, and they don't expect handouts, but they should be paid enough for a normal standard of living in Singapore.

Favourite spot in Singapore?

My neighbourhood coffee shop in Tampines. That's where you meet friends and neighbours... You pick up more about life there than anywhere else.

Hoping to help the less fortunate do better

Kenneth Foo Seck Guan, 38

Occupation: Manager of public education at the Singapore Cancer Society

Family: Single

Education: Diploma in Business Studies, Temasek Polytechnic; Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Southern Queensland; Bachelor of Health Sciences (Psychology), University of Adelaide

Hobbies: Running, swimming and playing football. Exercises every week and runs about 10km to 12km each time.

Why politics?

I believe Singapore needs a credible and strong opposition and I think the WP provides that. I paid more attention to what the WP said in Parliament after the 1997 elections, and I realised that the party is not there to derail the Government. It is there to look at policies and how they can be improved.

Why you?

Working in a VWO (voluntary welfare organisation) gave me a lot of opportunities to work with the less fortunate. This knowledge is rather important for someone who is going into Parliament to make sense of how society is evolving.

What issues will you focus on?

I come from a middle- to low-income family. My family did not do well in the past, and we were heavily reliant on my father who was the sole breadwinner. He held two jobs - in the day and at night. I hope to look at the circumstances that low-income families face in our society today. I hope to help the lower income get out of the poverty cycle.

Favourite spot in Singapore?

The National Stadium. I like to run one round around Marina Barrage, to Marina Bay Sands, and then back to the National Stadium in the Sports Hub.

Children inspired ex-librarian to contest

Mohamed Fairoz Shariff, 36

Occupation: The former National Library Board librarian recently resigned to contest in the elections

Family: Married to a senior staff nurse, with three children. The youngest is a 10-month-old son.

Education: Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in South-east Asian Studies, both from the National University of Singapore

Hobbies: Volunteering at sports events, including the Youth Olympic Games in 2010, and most recently, the SEA Games. Watching tennis.

Why politics?

I am confident that the WP is the strong and rational opposition party that Singapore needs. Being a WP candidate in the upcoming elections is the best way for me to build a better future for my children, and for Singapore.

Why you?

It was not easy for me to make the decision to stand for the elections. In the end, it was my children that inspired me to step forward. I asked myself: What kind of Singapore will I be giving to my children? Am I going to be giving them a Singapore that is dominated by one voice, or a Singapore that has many voices to be heard?

What issues will you focus on?

The issues I hope to address are centred on education and work-life harmony. Having lectured at UniSIM (SIM University), I am most concerned for our adult learners and the support we are able to provide for them. At UniSIM, I saw the many challenges that my students had to face to realise their dream of attaining their first degree. It's always a challenge for them to juggle work, studies and their family.

Favourite spot in Singapore?

I'm a bit of a nerd. I like to hang out where books are easily available, be it the library, or a bookstore. I can spend two to three hours in Kinokuniya. I enjoy reading fantasy works. I'm currently reading The Stormlight Archive.

Stepping forward to answer a calling in life

Dennis Tan Lip Fong, 45

Occupation: Shipping lawyer, partner at law firm DennisMathiew

Family: Married to a 43-year-old lawyer

Education: Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nottingham and Master of Maritime Law from the University of Southampton

Hobbies: Running, cycling, reading about history and politics

Why politics?

I believe there is a calling for everyone. Somehow, in 2011, when I was asked whether I wanted to volunteer to help with (WP member) Yee Jenn Jong's campaign, I think that was the day when that calling to go into politics came, and certainly from then until now, this is what I feel I am supposed to do in my life.

Why you?

I think in Singapore, politically, there is a "not in my backyard" mindset. Singaporeans think somebody else can do it. But I feel that we should do away with this "not in my backyard" syndrome, that's why I stepped forward. I hope that with my participation, many more capable people can step forward and be future political leaders.

What issues will you focus on?

To me, retirement adequacy is a big issue, especially with the cost of living... The system of governance is also an issue to me. The way we look at politics, the way we pass Bills in Parliament. They are often rushed through without proper debate, and constructive ideas which are raised are often grudgingly swept under the carpet.

Favourite spot in Singapore?

East Coast Park and the East Coast area. I grew up in the East Coast area. Since my secondary school days, I have spent a lot of time on the beach.

This article was first published on August 31, 2015.
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