Under The Angsana Tree: GE2020: PM’s Brother Not Running for Election

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The Cockles of our Hearts

A Secret Admirer of Lee Hsien Yang

A young voter

White Vs Blue, who squatted to talk to elderly cardboard collector in wheelchair

PM in-waiting Mr Heng Swee Keat after nomination

PSP’s Lee Hsien Yang not standing for elections

After nominations were filed on Tuesday, Mr Lee posted a note on Facebook, saying that he chose not to stand for political office because he believes “Singapore does not need another Lee”.

As someone who grew up in a family at the centre of Singapore politics, he added, it would have been “the most natural thing” for him to have entered political office.

“But political leadership in Singapore needs to be much more than about one family or one man. The empirical evidence shows that dynastic politics causes bad government,” he wrote.

“When people enter politics on the back of the family name, they are often evaluated based on their parents and not their performance. This unfair advantage undermines meritocracy. How can we expect politicians to hold each other to account, if they are blood relations?”

He then urged voters to “vote fearlessly”, and added that he is interested in politics and hopes to be a catalyst for change by contributing in other ways: “I am involved through speaking up, by supporting candidates and parties I believe in, by contributing my time, ideas and resources to causes I support, and by seeking an open and independent media. I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office.”

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Lee Hsien Yang 1hr

POLITICS IS FOR EVERY CITIZEN

You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you.

I grew up in a family at the centre of Singapore politics. From the time I was born in 1957, politics was a part of my family, as my father fought first for independence for our country and then led the challenging and arduous journey Singapore took to nationhood.

It would have been the most natural thing for me to have entered political office. But political leadership in Singapore needs to be much more than about one family or one man. The empirical evidence shows that dynastic politics causes bad government. When people enter politics on the back of the family name, they are often evaluated based on their parents and not their performance. This unfair advantage undermines meritocracy. How can we expect politicians to hold each other to account, if they are blood relations?

I chose instead to enter the world of business, to be accountable to shareholders, employees and customers, and the community. I also sought to contribute to Singapore through volunteering in other institutions beyond my corporate roles. I wanted to forge my own path, to be my own man and a man of my word.

I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee. I am interested in politics. I am involved through speaking up, by supporting candidates and parties I believe in, by contributing my time, ideas and resources to causes I support, and by seeking an open and independent media. I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office. I hope to be a catalyst for change.

Being involved in politics can take many different forms. Amongst others it needs citizens to be aware of and contribute to the public discourse in the country, to support political parties one believes in, and to help them reach out to other voters. It is support for an independent media and for open and transparent government. It is being engaged, speaking truth to power, volunteering one’s time and contributing financially or otherwise for causes that one believes in. Politics is both the right and the duty of every citizen.

Our country needs a broad and diverse parliament with members who care for its citizens and the future of our nation and hold themselves accountable to the citizens. It needs people from different walks of life who can imagine, inspire and execute. We need new ideas to reinvigorate Singapore. We must have genuine discussions and rigorous debate involving a diversity of Singaporean voices as we seek to navigate the challenging waters ahead. We need leaders who listen and who are receptive to those voices and needs.

In the last few years, I have been approached by countless Singaporeans who have asked me to stand for political office. These are Singaporeans from all walks of life. I am deeply humbled. Many Singaporeans are very troubled that Singapore no longer has the leadership it needs. Sadly, the current government has failed its people. The rising anger and frustrations of the populace speaks for itself. The PAP has lost its way.

We need to take action now. Speak up and be heard. Discuss openly the issues facing our country. Read and share independent journalism. Seek transparency and accountability in government. Talk to your friends and family to help them see the need for change. Volunteer your time and resources to support the parties you believe in.

Vote fearlessly. Rescue the future of the country we love.

Politics is not just for politicians. It is for every citizen.

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Lee Hsien Yang explains why he chose not to stand for political office

Being involved in politics can take many different forms, said Progress Singapore Party member Lee Hsien Yang, brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

He said in a Facebook post around 1.40pm: "I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee.

"I am involved through speaking up, by supporting candidates and parties I believe in, by contributing my time, ideas and resources to causes I support, and by seeking an open and independent media."

"I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office. I hope to be a catalyst for change," he added.

He said that it would have been the "most natural thing" for him to stand for political office, but political leadership in Singapore "needs to be much more than about one family or one man".

Singapore needs a broad and diverse Parliament with members who care for its citizens and the future of the nation and hold themselves accountable to the citizens, said Mr Lee, adding that there needs to be new ideas to reinvigorate Singapore, and leaders who listen and are receptive.

"Vote fearlessly. Rescue the future of the country we love. Politics is not just for politicians. It is for every citizen," he said.

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Singapore PM’s Brother Won’t Run in Election, Helping Incumbents

Lee Hsien Yang, left, at the Tiong Bahru Market in Singapore on June 24.Photographer: Roslan Rahman/AFP via Getty Images

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s estranged brother won’t stand in the July 10 election, removing a potential obstacle for the ruling party as it seeks to retain its 55-year grip on power.

“I have chosen not to stand for political office because I believe Singapore does not need another Lee,” Lee Hsien Yang said in a Facebook post after the nomination deadline passed. “I do not seek power, prestige or financial rewards of political office. I hope to be a catalyst for change.”

Despite declining to run himself, Lee, 62, will campaign against the ruling party co-founded and built up by his father Lee Kuan Yew, the nation’s founding prime minister, which his older brother now leads. The siblings have been sparring over the estate of their father since his death in 2015, and the rivalry has spilled over into other conflicts embroiling the younger Lee’s wife and son.

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Singapore PM's brother Lee Hsien Yang will not stand for election

Surprise opposition star says city-state 'does not need another Lee'

Lee Hsien Yang, the estranged younger brother of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, will not stand as an opposition candidate in the July 10 general election.

As politicians made their way to file their candidacy papers on Tuesday, local media reported that the younger Lee was seen near one of the nomination centers. But later in the day he posted on Facebook that he had chosen not to run for office because he believes "Singapore does not need another Lee."

In the same post, he wrote that "the current government has failed its people."

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Lee Hsien Yang calls for end to PAP's 'super majority'

Progress Singapore Party member Lee Hsien Yang speaking in a video message posted on Facebook on June 29, 2020.PHOTO: LEE HSIEN YANG/FACEBOOK

Singaporeans must vote to end the ruling People's Action Party's super majority in Parliament, Progress Singapore Party member Lee Hsien Yang urged voters in a video message posted on Facebook yesterday.

Mr Lee, whose brother, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is secretary-general of the PAP, criticised the Government on a range of issues as he called for more diversity in Parliament.

"Make your vote in this Covid-19 election count. Choose a Singapore where the daily struggle and sacrifice pays off for all, not just for the natural aristocracy," he said, appearing to reference the Workers' Party election campaign slogan Make Your Vote Count.

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Why one party dominates Singapore politics

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong of the ruling People's Action Party wearing a face mask, prepares to give a speech at a nomination center ahead of the general election in Singapore June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Edgar Su

Singaporeans are expected to return the People's Action Party to power in a July 10 general election, extending its unbroken rule since the Southeast Asian island's independence in 1965.

In that time, Singapore has had only three prime ministers: independence leader Lee Kuan Yew, his cabinet colleague Goh Chok Tong and Lee's son, the present prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Having overseen rapid economic growth and prosperity, the PAP has become entrenched in power. But there are other factors that have kept rivals at bay:

UNIQUE MODEL
CONSTRAINTS
DISPARATE GROUP
LEGAL PROBLEMS

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COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MPS WHO RETIRED IN GE2020

This year, despite that pesky coronavirus roaming around the country, Singapore will have a General Election, with just 9 days until voters cast their ballots. While we’ve seen many new faces enter the political arena, many others have bid goodbye after years and even decades of service.

During the launch of the People’s Action Party’s manifesto on Saturday (27 Jun), PM Lee announced that 20 MPs will retire this year. 20 MPs from PAP, that is. If you take into account the three from the Worker’s Party (WP), that number goes up to 23.

PAP:

Ang Hin Kee (two terms), Ang Mo Kio GRC
Chia Shi-Lu (two terms), Tanjong Pagar GRC
Charles Chong (seven terms), Punggol East SMC
Fatimah Lateef (three terms), Marine Parade GRC
Cedric Foo Chee Keng (four terms), Pioneer SMC
Goh Chok Tong (10 terms), Marine Parade GRC
Intan Azura Mokhtar (two terms), Ang Mo Kio GRC
Khaw Boon Wan (four terms), Sembawang GRC
Lee Bee Wah (three terms), Nee Soon GRC
Lee Yi Shyan (three terms), East Coast GRC
Lim Hng Kiang (six terms), West Coast GRC
Lim Swee Say (five terms), East Coast GRC
Lily Neo (five terms), Jalan Besar GRC
Ong Teng Koon (two terms), Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC
Sam Tan (three terms), Radin Mas SMC
Teo Ho Pin (five terms), Bukit Panjang SMC
Teo Ser Luck (three terms), Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
Yaacob Ibrahim (five terms), Jalan Besar GRC
Yee Chia Hsing (one term), Choa Chu Kang GRC
Zainal Sapari (two terms), Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

WP:

Chen Show Mao (Aljunied GRC) (One Term)
Low Thia Khiang (Hougang SMC, Aljunied GRC) (6 Terms)
Png Eng Huat (Hougang SMC) (One Term)

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Profiles of PAP's 27 new candidates

The People's Action Party (PAP) on Friday (June 26) introduced eight more new candidates to contest the election on July 10.

With this round of introductions, the PAP has in all unveiled 27 new faces for the upcoming polls. Previously it had said it would present 26 new candidates.

Here's a look at the candidates' profiles:

DESMOND TAN KOK MING, 50 (Former People's Association head)
EDWARD CHIA BING HUI, 36 (Co-founder/managing director Timbre Group)
NADIA AHMAD SAMDIN, 30 (Associate director at TSMP Law Corporation)
DON WEE BOON HONG, 43 (Senior vice-president at UOB)
MOHD FAHMI ALIMAN, 48 (Former Islamic Religious Council of S'pore DCE)
YIP HON WENG, 43 (Former group chief of Silver Generation Office)
HANY SOH HUI BIN, 33 (Director at MSC Law Corporation)
DR TAN SEE LENG, 55 (Former Parkway Holdings Group chief executive)
TAN KIAT HOW, 43 (Former IMDA chief executive)
NG LING LING, 48 (Former managing director of Community Chest)
ZHULKARNAIN ABDUL RAHIM, 39 (Lawyer)
MS YEO WAN LING, 44 (Chief executive of social enterprise Caregiver Asia)
MR ALVIN TAN SHENG HUI, 39 (Head Public Policy Economics @ LinkedIn)
DR WAN RIZAL WAN ZAKARIAH, 42 (Senior lecturer Republic Polytechnic)
MR ERIC CHUA SWEE LEONG, 41 (Former director SGSecure programme)
MR RAYMOND LYE HOONG YIP, 54 (Managing partner at Union Law LLP)
MS POH LI SAN, 44 (VP for Terminal 5 planning at Changi Airport Group)
MR DERRICK GOH SOON HEE, 51 (MD & head of group audit at DBS Bank)
MS GAN SIOW HUANG, 46 (Former air force brigadier-general)
MS RACHEL ONG SIN YEN, 47 (Rohei chief executive)
MR MOHD SHARAEL TAHA, 39 (VP strategy/project management S'pore Aero)
MR ALEX YEO SHENG CHYE, 41 (Director at Niru & Co LLC)
MS MARIAM JAAFAR, 43 (S'pore MD & partner for Boston Consulting Group)
MR SHAWN HUANG, 37 (Director enterprise development Temasek Holdings)
MS CHAN HUI YUH, 44 (Marketing director)
MS CARRIE TAN, 38 (Founding ED of charity Daughters of Tomorrow)
MR XIE YAO QUAN, 35 (Head of healthcare redesign at Alexandra Hospital)

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Netizens said that elderly Woman distributing Flyers look familiar

A man took a video of an elderly woman distributing flyers at a public area, due to wearing of personal protective gear many are not able to identify who she is.

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