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Yahoo
16 minutes ago
- Yahoo
20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong
SINGAPORE – The 20 PAP MPs who retired at the recent general election made special efforts to show new candidates the ropes, after years of speaking up in Parliament and helping to improve policies. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong acknowledged the contributions of the retired MPs at an appreciation dinner on July 4 at Parliament House – a PAP tradition to thank its outgoing comrades – and presented them with valedictory letters. With their help, the rookies did not have to start from scratch and could hit the ground running, he said. 'That is the PAP way – always thinking beyond ourselves, and investing in the next generation,' he added. The 20 MPs collectively served more than 280 years in Parliament – 'a tremendous legacy', he said. PM Wong said the decision to retire was not easy for everyone, although some who had served for several terms 'were more eager to pass the baton'. 'You know who you are – when you came to see me, you never failed to remind me that it was time to identify your successor,' he said, drawing laughter from the audience. Others asked to step down due to personal reasons, and he respected their decisions, he added. And a third group willingly stepped aside, putting the PAP's and Singapore's interests ahead of their own, he noted. 'A number of you could have easily continued for another term, but I had to ask you to make way for renewal and new blood,' said PM Wong. The PAP usually retires about a quarter to a third of its slate each election. A total of 32 new candidates were among those fielded in the 97 seats at the May 3 polls. 'You understood the party's decision and agreed to step aside with grace,' he added. The longest-serving MP in this batch of retirees is former senior minister Teo Chee Hean, who entered politics in 1992 and served seven terms. Mr Teo, 70, has agreed to contribute as senior adviser in the Prime Minister's Office, said PM Wong. Another example of a retiring PAP MP who became a senior adviser is former trade and industry minister Lim Hng Kiang, who took on the role after he stepped down from the Cabinet in 2018. He remains in the role despite having retired from politics in 2020. Seven retired MPs entered politics in the 2001 and 2006 elections – Dr Ng Eng Hen, Dr Maliki Osman, Mr Heng Chee How, Dr Amy Khor, Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin and Dr Lim Wee Kiak. 'Special mention to Sitoh who worked hard over three elections to win the trust of our Potong Pasir residents,' said PM Wong. Mr Sitoh entered politics in 2001 to contest in the single seat, then held by opposition politician Chiam See Tong. He eventually won in his third contest in 2011, against Mr Chiam's wife Lina. Other retiring MPs – among them former deputy prime minister Heng Swee Keat – came in later and served two to three terms. They include Ms Cheryl Chan, Mr Chong Kee Hiong, Mr Louis Ng, Ms Foo Mee Har, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Dr Tan Wu Meng. Five MPs stepped down after one term: Ms Carrie Tan, Mr Derrick Goh, Mr Don Wee, Mr Fahmi Aliman and Ms Ng Ling Ling. Dr Khor, Ms Tan, Ms Chan, Mr Fahmi, Mr Gan and Ms Ng did not attend the dinner. Mr Heng Swee Keat will continue in his role as chairman of the National Research Foundation, a department under the Prime Minister's Office that looks at the nation's research and development efforts. 'We will continue to benefit from your counsel and wisdom,' said PM Wong of Mr Teo and Mr Heng. The retired MPs spoke up on a wide range of national issues in Parliament and for different segments of Singaporeans, such as caregivers, lower-wage workers, businesses and arts and cultural groups, he said. They participated actively in government parliamentary committees (GPCs) and gave feedback that helped to improve policies. These include the setting up of the Rare Disease Fund and the adoption of more flexible work arrangements, he added. GPCs, comprising PAP MPs, are meant to scrutinise legislation and programmes of the various ministries. The outgoing GPC chairs are Mr Sitoh for culture, community and youth, Dr Tan for health, Ms Chan for national development and Mr Ng for sustainability and the environment. PM Wong also cited several outgoing MPs for their memorable contributions – such as Dr Tan who always spoke up for his Clementi residents, and Mr Ng who tabled two Private Member's Bills on food donation and wild animals and birds. Outside of Parliament, the MPs were attentive and responsive to the needs of their residents, said PM Wong. They can look back with satisfaction on what they have done, including the improvements in their constituencies, he added. For example, Sembawang GRC – where Dr Lim was an MP – has a hot spring park, while Brickland in Chua Chu Kang GRC – formerly helmed by Mr Wee – has Singapore's only BMX cycling facility. PM Wong also specifically thanked the six office-holders – former DPM Heng, Mr Teo, Dr Ng, the former defence minister; Dr Maliki, former minister in the Prime Minister's Office; Mr Heng Chee How and Dr Khor, both former senior ministers of state. 'I've worked closely with all of you, and I've learnt a great deal from each of you,' he said. Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction Discover how to enjoy other premium articles here
Wall Street Journal
35 minutes ago
- Wall Street Journal
New Gaza Cease-Fire Deal Would Come With U.S. Assurances on Talks to End War
Hamas is weighing a proposed new 60-day cease-fire and hostage-release deal in Gaza that, if signed, would immediately trigger American-backed negotiations between the militants and Israel aimed at a permanent end to the war, Arab officials involved in the talks said. The terms of the new proposal, put together by U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff along with mediators from Egypt and Qatar, also call for, among other things, the exchange of 10 living hostages for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel, the officials said.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Oil drops for second day as traders brace for another OPEC+ hike
(Bloomberg) — Oil fell for a second day in the lead up to an OPEC+ meeting that's expected to deliver another substantial production hike, while President Donald Trump's latest tariff threats dented wider risk appetite. Foreign Buyers Swoop on Cape Town Homes, Pricing Out Locals Massachusetts to Follow NYC in Making Landlords Pay Broker Fees NYC Commutes Resume After Midtown Bus Terminal Crash Chaos Struggling Downtowns Are Looking to Lure New Crowds What Gothenburg Got Out of Congestion Pricing West Texas Intermediate declined below $67 a barrel after edging 0.7% lower on Thursday. The cartel has begun discussing a fourth, 411,000 barrel-a-day increase for August ahead of a video-conference this weekend, delegates said. The meeting has now been moved from Sunday to Saturday. Global trade policy was also in focus, pushing equities in Asia and elsewhere lower. Trump said his administration will begin sending out letters to trading partners to set unilateral tariff rates ahead of a July 9 deadline, and that the new levies will come into force in August. Oil markets are likely to see thinner trading on Friday because of the Fourth of July holiday in the US. Crude has been volatile in recent weeks, roiled by fears that the Israel-Iran war would hamper supply. While markets have since calmed, apprehension lingers over negotiations with Iran, the US-led trade talks and evolving policy by OPEC+. 'The absolute fundamentals of the market are taking over,' said Susan Bell, senior vice president of downstream research at Rystad Energy in Calgary. 'The risk premiums have gone out of the market, and the fundamentals are quite weak.' On Iran, Washington plans to restart nuclear talks, and US Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff is set to meet Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo next week, Axios reported. Meanwhile, the US took fresh steps to restrict the trade of the Islamic Republic's oil, keeping up pressure on Tehran. In Canada, a wildfire emerged in the Fort McMurray area, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from a major oil-sands production site. Production from Alberta fell to the lowest in two years in May, combining with falling output from Mexico and a ban on Venezuelan flows to strengthen heavy crude prices. —With assistance from Yongchang Chin, Rob Verdonck and Nicholas Lua. SNAP Cuts in Big Tax Bill Will Hit a Lot of Trump Voters Too America's Top Consumer-Sentiment Economist Is Worried For Brazil's Criminals, Coffee Beans Are the Target How to Steal a House China's Homegrown Jewelry Superstar ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. Error while retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data Error while retrieving data
