Latest news with #leadershipRenewal
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'
CNA
23-05-2025
- Business
- CNA
Chee Hong Tat to lead Chinese Community Liaison Group, succeeding Edwin Tong
SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has appointed National Development Minister Chee Hong Tat as chairman of the Chinese Community Liaison Group (CCLG) with effect from Friday (May 23). He succeeds Law Minister Edwin Tong, who will continue to serve as the group's adviser. In a statement from the Prime Minister's Office on Friday, Mr Wong noted that Mr Chee has been a member of CCLG since 2015 and that he has been "actively involved with the Chinese community and regularly engages various segments, in particular the clans and business associations". "I look forward to Hong Tat working closely with key Chinese community organisations to strengthen leadership renewal so that they can remain relevant and dynamic. I am confident that Hong Tat will continue the good work of CCLG and further deepen ties between the government and the Chinese community," he said. Mr Wong also thanked Mr Tong for his contributions to CCLG since he assumed its chairmanship in November 2020, saying that he has done much to engage the Chinese community. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, Edwin and CCLG members worked with key Chinese community organisations to identify innovative ways to maintain contact with the members of the Chinese community and provide support to vulnerable segments," said Mr Wong. "Notably, Edwin also played a key role in successfully mediating the settlement between the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan and Ngee Ann Kongsi over redevelopment plans for the historic Teochew Building." Established in 2000, the CCLG aims to improve the government's relationship with Chinese community organisations and enhance cooperation among various Chinese community groups. It comprises office holders and members of parliament who work to regularly engage the Chinese community.
CNA
21-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Cabinet line-up to have 9 new political office holders, includes 7 new faces
The new Cabinet line-up has nine new political office holders, including seven who are newly elected MPs. Eugene Tan, Associate Professor from the SMU's Yong Pung How School of Law, talks about how PM Lawrence Wong spoke about how leadership renewal was a priority for him, but the Cabinet is still made up mostly of 3G and 4G leaders. Professor Tan explains how this does not affect leadership renewal timelines.
