Although politics is usually a stoic and solemn affair in Singapore, some incidents stand out for being the exception to the norm.
At the Meet-The-People (MPS) session yesterday, where retiring People's Action Party (PAP) member of parliament (MP) Inderjit Singh introduced his likely successor Mr Henry Kwek, a resident broke down while meeting Mr Singh - not out of anguish, but out of gratitude to the retiring PAP MP.
Long-time Ang Mo Kio resident, 58 year-old Harcharn Kaur said Mr Singh has always been helpful, whether it is with helping her waive her hospital bills or offering her food rations.
“He’s a very good MP, he’s got a very good heart. He treats everybody the same ... I’m going to miss him,” she said.
Speaking for a few minutes at his MPS session, Mr Singh highlighted Mr Kwek’s compassion towards people and his passion in areas such as youth and helping small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).
“He’s quite passionate about some things, including helping SMEs like I have been, and I’m glad there’s someone who will be able to play that role,” said Mr Singh. “He’s got very good plans if he becomes an MP that I think will do good for the constituency and for Singapore.”
39 year-old Mr Kwek is the executive director of private investment and trading company Foodtraco Supplies. He is the vice-chairman of Kebun Baru Citizens’ Consultative Committee, but helps out in the Chong Pang ward where he served under Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam for years.
Mr Singh told the media that he hopes Mr Kwek can stand in the constituency, but added that the PAP chief, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will have the final say on which candidates to field. “I’ve been in the party for many years, I know that at the last minute, there can be many changes.”
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