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WP's Sylvia Lim to publish memoir in 2027
Workers' Party chairwoman and MP for Aljunied GRC Sylvia Lim will publish her memoir with Epigram Books. It is expected to hit major bookstores in the second half of 2027. The agreement between Ms Lim and the home-grown publisher - an imprint of the newly formed non-profit Epigram Literary Foundation - was signed in recent weeks. There is no book title yet, with writing still in its preliminary stages. But the surprise memoir is expected to offer a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Singapore's pioneer women in opposition politics - a police inspector and lawyer turned self-professed proud "Mama Bear" heading a slate of WP female candidates at the recent general election. On her decision to ink the deal, Ms Lim said: "There has been interest from several quarters about the paths I have walked and the places I have been, as well as the people who made me whole. "As I turn 60 this year, it feels right to start to reflect on my experiences of life, vocation and love which, hopefully, will be meaningful not just now, but also for posterity." The 14-year MP has struck a more mellow note of late, brandishing her PAssion Silver Concession Card at a WP rally in April to cheers - "The last time I stood on this stage, I still had black hair." To a question on WP's party leadership succession during a press conference in the same month, she had expressed a readiness to pass the baton on. "I would say that when the time comes for me, personally, to step down as chairperson, I won't be sorry." Mr Edmund Wee, founder of Epigram Books, said he also specifically requested that Ms Lim include her relationship with former national footballer Quah Kim Song, whom she had dated for 12 years before their church wedding in January. The publisher got in touch with Ms Lim through a mutual friend and had tried cajoling her for the project as early as 2021 during the coronavirus lockdown period, with satisfaction delayed till now. Mr Wee said: "Sylvia Lim's achievements and life should be an inspiration to Singaporeans, especially to all the young women out there." Few senior leaders from WP, Singapore's most successful opposition party post-independence, have put their thoughts to the page. Former secretary-general of WP J.B Jeyaretnam hawked his own books on the streets after being declared bankrupt and losing his seat, including The Hatchet Man Of Singapore, published in 2003. The most recent and probably most well-known is WP member and former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong's Journey In Blue: A Peek Into The Workers' Party Of Singapore (2020). Among other revelations, it disclosed that former WP chief Low Thia Khiang had begun planning to step down as early as 2016 following an intra-party leadership challenge, rather than in 2020 after a fall at home as commonly assumed. Ms Lim was a law lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic specialising in civil and criminal procedures when she was elected WP's first woman chairperson in 2003 and led a team to become the "best losers" in the contest for Aljunied GRC in 2006. After a stint as NCMP from 2006 to 2011, she was part of the team that won Aljunied GRC for WP in 2011. She will begin her fourth term when Parliament reconvenes on Sept 5.
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Straits Times
One killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes in college campus
Find out what's new on ST website and app. DHAKA - One person was killed as a Bangladesh air force training aircraft crashed in a college campus in the capital city of Dhaka on July 21, a fire services official said. The incident occurred in Dhaka's northern area of Uttara, the military's public relations department said in a statement. "Bangladesh Air Force's F-7 BGI training aircraft crashed in Uttara. The aircraft took off at 1.06pm (3.06pm, Singapore time)," it said. Videos of the aftermath of the crash showed a big fire near a lawn emitting a thick plume of smoke into the sky, as crowds watched from a distance. At least four people were injured and taken to a military hospital in the area, local newspaper Prothom Alo said, citing the duty officer at the fire service control room. The daily said that initial reports indicated the plane had crashed on the roof of the college canteen. Reuters could not independently verify this information. The incident comes a little over a month after an Air India plane crashed on top of a medical college hostel in neighbouring India's Ahmedabad city, killing 241 of the 242 people on board and 19 on the ground, marking the world's worst aviation disaster in a decade. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Medallions with Singapore Botanic Gardens' iconic landmarks launched to mark milestone-filled year Life WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim to publish memoir with Epigram Books in 2027 Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim to publish memoir with Epigram Books in 2027
The agreement between Ms Lim and the home-grown publisher was signed in recent weeks. SINGAPORE – Workers' Party chairwoman and MP for Aljunied GRC Sylvia Lim will publish her memoirs with Epigram Books, expected to hit major bookstores in the second half of 2027. The agreement between Ms Lim and the home-grown publisher – an imprint of the newly formed non-profit Epigram Literary Foundation – was signed in recent weeks. A book title is as yet not forthcoming, with writing still in its preliminary stages. But the surprise memoir is expected to offer a rare glimpse into the mind of one of Singapore's pioneer women in opposition politics – a police inspector and lawyer turned self-professed proud 'Mama Bear' heading a slate of WP female candidates at the recent general election. On her decision to ink the deal, Ms Lim said: 'There has been interest from several quarters about the paths I have walked and the places I have been, as well as the people who made me whole. 'As I turn 60 this year, it feels right to start to reflect on my experiences of life, vocation and love which, hopefully, will be meaningful not just now, but also for posterity.' The 14-year MP has struck a more mellow note of late, brandishing her PAssion Silver Concession Card at a WP rally in April to cheers – 'The last time I stood on this stage, I still had black hair.' To a question on WP's party leadership succession during a press conference in the same month, she had said: 'I would say that when the time comes for me, personally, to step down as chairperson, I won't be sorry.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Asia Japan PM Ishiba vows to take responsibility for election loss, to stay in office to deal with US tariff talks Business $1.1 billion allocated to three fund managers to boost Singapore stock market: MAS Singapore Proof & Company Spirits closes Singapore distribution business Life Travel Journal: Safari tourism with a side of moral crisis Singapore Mandai Wildlife Group group CEO Mike Barclay to retire; Bennett Neo named as successor Singapore Jail, caning for man who held metal rod to cashier's neck in failed robbery attempt Singapore Fresh charge for woman who harassed nurse during pandemic, created ruckus at lion dance competition Mr Edmund Wee, founder of Epigram Books, said he also specifically requested that Ms Lim include her relationship with former national footballer Quah Kim Song , whom she had dated for 12 years before their church wedding in January 2025. The publisher got in touch with Ms Lim through a mutual friend and had tried cajoling her for the project as early as 2021 during the coronavirus lockdown period, with satisfaction delayed till now. Mr Wee said: 'Sylvia Lim's achievements and life should be an inspiration to Singaporeans, especially to all the young women out there.' Few senior leaders from WP, Singapore's most successful opposition party post-independence, have put their thoughts to the page. Former secretary-general of WP J.B Jeyaretnam hawked his own books on the streets after being declared bankrupt and losing his seat, including The Hatchet Man Of Singapore, published in 2003. The most recent and probably most well-known is WP member and former Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong's Journey In Blue: A Peek Into The Workers' Party Of Singapore (2020). Among other revelations, it disclosed that former WP chief Low Thia Khiang had begun planning to step down as early as 2016 following an intra-party leadership challenge, rather than in 2020 after a fall at home as commonly assumed. Ms Lim was a law lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic specialising in civil and criminal procedures when she was elected WP's first woman chairperson in 2003 and led a team to become the 'best losers' in the contest for Aljunied GRC in 2006. After a stint as NCMP from 2006 to 2011, she was part of the team that won Aljunied GRC for WP in 2011. She will begin her fourth term when Parliament reconvenes on Sept 5.
Independent Singapore
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Where's Michael Thng? Commenters ask after WP announces CEC update
SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party's (WP) announcement of updates to its top decision-making body was generally met with positive responses in online spaces, although a number of commenters had one question in common: 'Where's Michael Thng?' Mr Thng, who was fielded by the WP as part of its slate at Tampines GRC in last month's General Election, appears to have made quite a good impression with many in Singapore, to the point that some expected him to take a more visible place within the party. On Wednesday (June 18), the WP announced that its four new Members of Parliament— Sengkang MP Abdul Muhaimin, Aljunied MP Kenneth Tiong, and Non-Constituency MPs Eileen Chong and Andre Low—had been co-opted into its Central Executive Committee (CEC). The party also said that Ms Chong was its new Youth Wing head, taking over from Sengkang MP Jamus Lim. Many of the commenters online praised the WP for its leadership renewal, especially since party chair Sylvia Lim turned 60 earlier this year, and speculation has spread that she may only contest in one more GE. See also Pritam Singh: PAP's One-dimensional perspective A lot of netizens expressed approval of Ms Chong's new role in the party, saying that the 33-year-old is in the right place to represent the youth and begin to get ready for even bigger leadership roles. However, across different social media platforms, and even on the WP's Facebook account, netizens have been looking for Mr Thng, 37, who had made a splash during the campaign period when he said at a rally, 'We don't want to be told that the sky is white when we see it is blue.' He had also performed well during a televised debate prior to the May 3 polls. 'What about Michael Thng?' a commenter asked. 'Why didn't (the WP) include Michael Thng into the CEC,' another wanted to know, opining that Mr Thng is 'brilliant in talking.' 'I think Michael Thng should be with Eileen Choong to promote more youth to join the WP,' wrote a Facebook user. On Reddit, one asked, 'Michael Thng no more?' A commenter answered that 'Historically, the WP has voted their sitting parliamentarians into their CEC,' but added, 'have to follow their socials to see if Michael is still on the ground, I hope he is. The ground game for GE2030 has already started.' When one wondered if he had gone back to the United States, another replied that Mr Thng had just helped out at the Meet the People Session of Sengkang MP He Ting Ru the night before. Mr Thng, the chief operating officer of a tech start-up, has been volunteering with the WP for at least 15 years. 'I was always struck by his passion for Singapore, for our democratic processes, and how despite spending much time in the US, he would always fly back to be involved in election campaigns,' wrote Ms He in a social media post in April , adding that Mr Thng had gone with her when she contested at Marine Parade for GE2015 and then again at Sengkang for GE2020./TISG Read also: WP's Michael Thng: 'We don't want to be told that the sky is white when we see it is blue'
Independent Singapore
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
GE2025: WP wins at Aljunied & Hougang yet again
SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party (WP) has won at Aljunied GRC once again. WP secretary-general Pritam Singh, 48, and chair Sylvia Lim, 60, are returning to serve a fourth term, together with second-timer Gerald Giam, 47, and new MP-elect Fadli Fawzi, 40, who had previously been part of the WP slate at Marine Parade in 2020. At Hougang GRC, which the WP has held since 1991, incumbent MP Dennis Tan, 55, also scored a victory against the PAP's Marshall Lim. In Aljunied, the WP bested the team from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), made up of Adrian Ang, 42; Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; Chan Hui Yuh, 48; Daniel Liu, 40; and Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37. Among these candidates, only Ms Chan contested at Aljunied in 2020; the other four are new to the political arena. In GE 2020, the WP won 59.95 per cent of the vote to the PAP's 40.05 per cent, an increase of 8.99 per cent from GE 2015. This year, the opposition party again won 59.68 per cent of the vote. Winning at Aljunied is significant for the WP, as it is the first GRC to be held by the opposition, marking a successful stronger foothold for the WP as spearheaded by former WP chief Low Thia Khiang. Mr Low had represented Hougang SMC from 2006 until 2011, and his gamble to contest at Aljunied paid off. While the WP's path at Aljunied has been rocky at times, the party has appeared to have gained the trust of residents, and Aljunied Hougang Town Council has received the highest marks, as has Sengkang Town Council, the other GRC under the WP. At Hougang, Mr Tan won 62.17 per cent of the vote. In 2020, the former Non-Constituency Member of Parliament had received 61.21 per cent, showing a small increase. Although the PAP will continue to remain in power in the coming five years, this year's General Election has largely been perceived to be a test of how much ground the opposition will gain. It has also been seen as a test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who was sworn into office on May 15, 2024. The increased cost of living in one of the most expensive cities in the world was widely reported to be the issue that was foremost in voters' minds in the run-up to this year's polls, and support for the opposition appeared to be on the rise, at least among commenters online. Since the WP announced its candidates for the May 3 polls on Nomination Day, some armchair commentators questioned the party's strategy of keeping its two highest-profile candidates at Aljunied GRC. At a press conference to introduce the WP candidates on April 17, Mr Singh said the party would be contesting fewer than a third of the seats in Parliament this year, signalling that while the WP would naturally want more elected MPs , the party would proceed with more caution than risk. /TISG Read also: Was the WP right to keep Pritam Singh and Sylvia Lim at Aljunied? Many believe so
