PAP candidate Tan See Leng built his whole career in the private sector

Singapore

HAVING built the whole of his professional career in the private sector, Tan See Leng is one of several among this year's pool of People's Action Party (PAP) candidates who does not come from the traditional sources of military, public service or legal circles.

In fact, the 55-year-old former managing director and chief executive officer of listed group IHH Healthcare said that it is precisely his experiences in the private sector that will come in handy when asked how he can contribute to the future of Singapore, if elected as a Member of Parliament.

"I know the difficulties (of) growing a business and getting access to markets to make sure competition is a level playing field," said Dr Tan. "I have seen operating systems in 10 different countries. I just feel that I can contribute back to Singapore."

Dr Tan is tipped to run in Marine Parade GRC, taking over from Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. He is the oldest candidate that PAP has announced recently.

Married with three children, Dr Tan has more than 30 years of experience in the healthcare sector. He was managing director and chief executive officer of IHH Healthcare before stepping down on Dec 31, 2019, when his contract ended. The healthcare group is listed in Singapore and Malaysia, and is among the world's largest with a network of 28 hospitals in Asia, including Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Gleneagles Hospital and Parkway East Hospital in Singapore.

A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU

Friday, 8.30 am

SGSME

Get updates on Singapore's SME community, along with profiles, news and tips.

Sign Up

A family physician by training, he grew up in a rental flat in Toa Payoh. Upon obtaining his medical degree, he borrowed money from friends to pay off the remaining two years of his bond in order to start Healthway Medical Group.

ESM Goh popped the question for him to enter politics last year when he knew Dr Tan is retiring from IHH.

"I have contributed to grassroots (work) for many years," said Dr Tan. "Before, I was at Kampong Kembangan helping (former foreign minister) George Yeo and in the last two years, helping ESM Goh. Then he (Mr Goh) popped the question whether I want to contribute in a more engaged way and go into politics. After discussing with my wife and kids, that's where I decided to stand."

In an interview at PAP Marine Parade Branch on Saturday, Dr Tan was asked how Singapore can emerge stronger from the current crisis. He said that industries affected by the Covid-19 pandemic will need to innovate quickly to survive.

Citing the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry which has been hit by restrictions on group gatherings, Dr Tan said that the faster the sector thinks out of the box to be more socially interactive and engaging through virtual means, the faster it can get out of the crisis.

"We need to adapt whether we like it or not as the pandemic has shown there are vulnerabilities in the different industries," he said.

Dr Tan also stressed the importance of making the different government assistance schemes and funding programmes accessible to those who need them, so that companies and Singaporeans can be supported while they prepare for a new phase in work and in doing business.

On the healthcare system, while acknowledging the issues that a rapidly ageing population will pose, he also sees opportunities for more centres of excellence to be developed in Singapore, such as in head and neck, and in the expansion of options in cancer treatments.

READ MORE: