Singapore Packs Parliament With Nine Fresh Faces
In a move that feels like a splash of fresh ideas into the political waterhole, Singapore’s Parliament has just welcomed nine brand‑new Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs). These folks have been handpicked to bring their voices from all corners of Singaporean society into the house, ensuring a richer, more colourful debate environment.
Meet the New Crew
- Arasu Duraisamy – Labour‑union champion who’s ready to keep workers’ rights at the front line.
- Douglas Foo Peow Yong – Chairman of Sakae Holdings, bringing a business‑savvy edge.
- Ho Wee San – Executive Director of the Singapore Chinese Orchestra, sprinkling musical magic.
- Lim Sun Sun – Professor of communications and tech, ready to talk everything tech‑y and human.
- Abbas Ali Mohamed Irshad – Founder of the inter‑religious NGO “Roses of Peace,” championing harmony.
- Anthea Ong Lay Theng – Corporate responsibility guru with a knack for ethical business.
- Irene Quay Siew Ching – President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, safeguarding health.
- Walter Edgar Theseira – Labour economist and associate professor, crunching numbers for the people.
- Yip Pin Xiu – 26‑year‑old Paralympian swimmer, proving that brains and biceps can coexist.
Why These New Names Matter
The Special Select Committee that hand‑picked these NMPs kept the crowd’s pulse in mind. “We’re thrilled to bring in passionate people who will reflect a broad spectrum of views across their communities,” says Speaker Tan Chuan‑Jin. Grace Fu, the Leader of the House, added, “These folks already rock their specialties and are eager to dabble in a variety of parliamentary topics.” She highlighted the youth vibrancy of Yip and Abbas, noting their fresh perspectives will deepen parliamentary debates.
The Low‑down on the NMP Scheme
Created back in 1990, the NMP slot offers a non‑partisan voice in Parliament. A term lasts 2½ years, and up to nine NMPs can serve at once. The Special Select Committee opened the floor for nominations in June and received 48 robust submissions. Because the field was so competitive, picking the final nine was like choosing the best of the best.
What Gets You In? The Constitutional Checklist
According to Singapore’s Constitution, an NMP must have:
- Rendered “distinguished public service” or brought honour to the nation, or
—or excelled in arts, culture, science, business, industry, professions, community service, or the labour movement. - Represented a wide range of independent, non‑partisan views.
- Possessed a track record of significant achievements across multiple fields.
- Understood current Singaporean challenges and could make a real difference in Parliament.
- Been willing to commit the necessary time to parliamentary duties.
The committee is confident that these nine new NMPs will not only bring fresh ideas but also personalities that keep the house lively and engaging.
