SMEs, low-wage workers among concerns of 2nd batch of new PAP candidates

SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs), sustainability, low-wage workers, and the elderly are among the concerns of the second batch of new People's Action Party (PAP) candidates unveiled on Wednesday.

These new candidates personify the spirit of lifelong learning, showing that where they come from "does not define where they are and where they can be", said PAP vice-chairman Masagos Zulkifli, who presented them to the media.

Among the new candidates was Yip Hon Weng, 43, one of several senior civil servants who stepped down in recent months, sparking speculation that they would be fielded in the coming general election. Mr Yip spent 17 years in the civil service in various ministries, with his last post being group chief of the Silver Generation Office under the Agency for Integrated Care.

"My decision to enter politics is to continue to serve Singapore and Singaporeans in a broader capacity, by speaking about issues that matter to them," he said. His focus is on the elderly, given his experience in understanding their needs, concerns, and aspirations. He is married with five children.

Another candidate is lawyer Hany Soh Hui Bin, who turned 33 on Wednesday itself, and is married with a 16-month-old daughter. From the Normal Academic stream in secondary school, she went on to become a lawyer. A grassroots volunteer in Bukit Panjang and a district councillor for the North West district, she is passionate about sustainability and community legal education.

Bank employee Don Wee Boon Hong, 43, is keen to be a voice for SMEs - having met many such firms in the course of his job in trade finance - as well as an advocate for mental health issues and less privileged students.

Mr Wee spent the early years of his life in a rental flat. After gaining an accountancy diploma from Ngee Ann Polytechnic, he studied part-time to get an accountancy degree, and went on to gain further qualifications and become a Certified Practising Accountant. He is married with two teenage sons.

Speaking up for low-wage and essential services workers is Mohd Fahmi Aliman, 48, director of the National Trades Union Congress administration and research unit and former deputy chief executive of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis). This passion is informed by personal experience - Mr Fahmi had grown up in a rental flat, and used to help his mother, who worked as a cleaner, when he was in secondary school.

Mr Masagos also highlighted Mr Fahmi's involvement in the Malay-Muslim community, including his work at M³, a collaboration between Muis, self-help group Mendaki, and People's Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council.

Before his appointment to the NTUC, Mr Fahmi was one of the highest-ranking Malay-Muslim regular officers in the Singapore Armed Forces. He is married with three sons and a daughter.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, PAP's first assistant secretary-general Heng Swee Keat introduced the first slate of PAP candidates. The PAP is introducing a total of 26 new candidates over three days.

In response to a media question about speculation that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's brother Lee Hsien Yang might run as an opposition candidate, Mr Masagos said: "We don't know and we won't speculate on whether he will be running as a candidate."

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