Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong introduced the PAP's slate of 24 new candidates for the SG50 General Election. A good number are grassroots leaders and party activists. There is also a good mix of civil servants, an SAF officer and people from the private sector, he said as he spoke briefly about each of the new candidates.
MR AMRIN AMIN, 36, LAWYER, SEMBAWANG GRC
From a humble family, he holds law degrees from the National University of Singapore and Columbia University and wants to give back to society. He has been a grassroots volunteer for more than 10 years.
MS CHERYL CHAN, 38, ENGINEER, FENGSHAN SMC
Active in Fengshan for 10 years, she exuded quiet confidence at her candidate interview and is "ready for any opposition parachutists", male or female, who come to challenge her.
MR CHEE HONG TAT, 41, FORMER CIVIL SERVANT, BISHAN-TOA PAYOH GRC
As Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Trade and Industry, he worked closely with SMEs. A "capable officer", he is strongly bilingual and speaks dialect.
MS CHENG LI HUI, 39, RUNS A CONSTRUCTION FIRM, TAMPINES GRC
With experience getting foreign workers to work to deadline, under her smiling exterior, "she is a lady with guts and steel".
MR DESMOND CHOO, 36, NTUC DEPUTY DIRECTOR, TAMPINES GRC
He lost twice in Hougang but stayed on. He has "staying power, ideas and can connect with people of different backgrounds and ages".
MR CHONG KEE HIONG, 49, CHIEF EXECUTIVE IN HOSPITALITY SECTOR, BISHAN-TOA PAYOH GRC
He knows the business world and both his subordinates and bosses regard him highly. He has served in Bishan for two years.
MR DARRYL DAVID, 44, DEPUTY DIRECTOR IN A POLYTECHNIC, ANG MO KIO GRC
A former TV host, he is a natural with people and passionate about youth community work.
DR KOH POH KOON, 43, COLORECTAL SURGEON, ANG MO KIO GRC
He lost in the Punggol East by-election in 2013 but soldiered on. He is well respected as an NS commander.
MR HENRY KWEK, 39, FUND MANAGER, NEE SOON GRC
He grew up in a poor family, won an EDB scholarship and later worked in the private sector. He gave up his job and served full-time in Chong Pang for the past couple of years.
MR NG CHEE MENG, 47, FORMER CHIEF OF DEFENCE FORCE, PASIR RIS-PUNGGOL GRC
He organised the State Funeral for Mr Lee Kuan Yew and oversaw this year's National Day Parade; a man who rolls up his sleeves to get things done.
MR LOUIS NG, 37, ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, NEE SOON GRC
He is so intense that, at his interview, PM Lee took 20 minutes to get him to smile. He is committed and has fire in his belly.
MR ONG YE KUNG, 45, DIRECTOR OF GROUP STRATEGY AT KEPPEL CORP, SEMBAWANG GRC
He stood in Aljunied GRC in 2011 and lost. He has experience working in the civil service, unions and now private sector. "If you hear him make a speech at a rally, you will hear the fire in him," PM Lee said.
MS JOAN PEREIRA, 48, WORKS AT CHARITY ARM OF TEMASEK HOLDINGS, TANJONG PAGAR GRC
She ran the People's Association's Wellness Programme, which now reaches half a million people, and is naturally warm with people.
MS RAHAYU MAHZAM, 35, LAWYER, JURONG GRC
She represents the new generation of successful Malay professionals who are giving back to the community.
MR SAKTIANDI SUPAAT, 41, EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT AT MAYBANK, BISHAN-TOA PAYOH GRC
A volunteer at Kolam Ayer since 2008 and a Pioneer Generation Ambassador, he grew up in a kampung and believes in the Kampung Spirit.
MS SUN XUELING, 36, TEMASEK HOLDINGS INVESTMENT DIRECTOR, PASIR RIS-PUNGGOL GRC
A dedicated party activist for 14 years, she will speak up for young families like her own.
DR TAN WU MENG, 40, ONCOLOGIST, JURONG GRC
A long-time Young PAP activist, he cares for people, thinks straight and writes well.
MR YEE CHIA HSING, 44, BANKING EXECUTIVE AT CIMB, CHUA CHU KANG GRC
He works with SMEs and, as a volunteer in Punggol East, started practical programmes such as getting people to donate wheelchairs for loan by residents.
MR MELVIN YONG, 43, RETIRED SENIOR POLICE OFFICER, TANJONG PAGAR GRC
As a former police commander, he has good ground sense and knows how to work with people.
OPPOSITION-WARD CANDIDATES MR CHUA ENG LEONG, 44, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT STANDARD CHARTERED, ALJUNIED GRC
After the last GE, he volunteered to win Aljunied GRC back for the PAP.
MR LEE HONG CHUANG, 45, SENIOR IT MANAGER, HOUGANG SMC
A former national gymnast, he has been a volunteer since age 19. He is not afraid to go into Workers' Party territory to persuade hard-core WP supporters.
MR VICTOR LYE, 52, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF SHENTON INSURANCE, ALJUNIED GRC
He has served in Aljunied since 1999 and, after 2011, quit his job for 1½ years to work the ground full-time in Aljunied GRC on an unpaid basis before returning to the private sector.
MR K. MURALIDHARAN PILLAY, 47, LAWYER, ALJUNIED GRC
He was PAP branch secretary in Bukit Batok for many years. If PM Lee needed someone to charge beside him on a battlefield, "I would like to have Murali next to me", he said.
MR SHAMSUL KAMAR, 43, TEACHER, ALJUNIED GRC
A natural people person, he cares especially for the down-and-out. He is also a story-teller who gives people hope and courage to improve.
This article was first published on August 30, 2015.
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