MP-elect for Marine Parade Tin Pei Ling at her first Meet-the-People session in MacPherson
By Timothy Soh
Correspondent
Newly-elected Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC, Tin Pei Ling, has responded to scathing criticism by getting on with her job. Even though she has yet to be sworn in as an MP, she has already held her first Meet-the-People Session in her ward of MacPherson.
She told reporters from TODAY that her case load in MacPherson was significantly higher than in Ulu Pandan, where she previously helped out at Mr Christopher de Souza’s sessions. Among the requests that Ms Tin had to deal with were appeals for rental HDB flats as well as waivers of summons. MacPherson has a higher concentration of needy and disadvantaged residents, relative to other parts of Singapore.
Speaking to a reporter from The New Paper, Ms Tin admitted that the negative image that Singaporeans have formed of her is “unfortunate”, but said that as a newly elected MP, her focus was on serving the needs of MacPherson residents. She said: “In a very short period of time, a certain image was built up. I think it will take time to correct the initial impression that was formed. There’s no quick-fix. It’s going to be challenging. I really don’t think it can be changed overnight.”
She also said that one of her priorities was to engage with young Singaporeans through the internet, including those who have criticised her. She said: “At the moment at least, I don’t think I’ll give up. Social media is one of the communication platforms. We want to use it as a means to communicate with people. I do intend to keep it that way.”
Prior to her introduction as a PAP candidate, the party revealed that one of Ms Tin’s main areas of focus would be to reach out to younger Singaporeans through the use of social media. However, just days after her introduction, she found herself being scorned by netizens, many of whom said that they could not accept her as an MP. The contest in Marine Parade GRC also drew inevitable comparisons between Ms Tin and the National Solidarity Party’s Nicole Seah, who is three years younger, but is widely regarded to be more mature, articulate and composed.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who led the PAP’s Marine Parade team, admitted that the presence of Ms Tin in his team was a factor behind the party’s poor showing. Despite Mr Goh being a well-respected former Prime Minister, his team staggered past the finish line with only 56.65% of the votes against an NSP team with no notable candidates apart from first-timer Ms Seah. The last time Marine Parade was contested was in 1992, when Mr Goh retained the GRC with a whopping 72.5% of the votes.
Even though the election is already over, netizens are still irate that Ms Tin has taken a seat in Parliament. Many of them say that she lacks the substance to be an MP, and that she should not be drawing a monthly allowance of $13,500 to undergo “on the job training”. This was in response to comments from Mr Goh that Ms Tin would gain experience through serving as an MP.
On Facebook, a page called Petition to Remove Tin Pei Ling as MP has garnered more than 62,000 “likes” within the past three days. A separate page, titled We Want George Yeo in Parliament and not Tin Pei Ling, has obtained over 36,000 “likes”. It is understood that the latter group is calling for Ms Tin to resign or be disqualified in order for a by-election to be called, so that former Foreign Minister George Yeo – who lost his seat in Aljunied – can be allowed to stand as a candidate.
For now, it seems that Ms Tin is taking things one step at a time, even as she struggles to come to terms with how she might be able to win over a cynical nation that seems like it has already written her off.
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The author is a correspondent for The Satay Club. He is currently a full-time National Serviceman.
(Photo Credit: TNP)
Actually..if I’m living in Mcpherson..now is the time to ask and ask coz the PAP sure will go all out to ensure that this empty tin delivers….after all it won’t be her doing all the hard work, it will be the RCs, grassroots and any other C’s but she will get the credit…..That’s politics i guess
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LATEST: TPL has appointedly been promoted to Director at Ernst & Young. She was promoted 3 levels (from Senior Associate to Director). Anyone can verify if this is true? If this is the case, it’s ridiculous.. WTF????
I mean isn’t this blatant cronyism?
I thought we had a meritocratic system in Singapore?
For it to happen at Ernst & Young is shocking. It is not even a GLC.
I don’t know what to say………
While its good to air our views on TPL, let’s not be unwise by giving her too much publicity which will only work to the pap’s advantage. Instead, friends please pen and show your support for the many unsung opposition candidates in the GE, most have lost but are true heroes, more capable & sincere than this pap toddler.
You must encourage these opposition candidates as they ponder their next course of action and direction. Its really tough for these individuals, they need our support, love and endorsement.
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PAP has taught her well, see the way she dress now. Another yes woman in the making of PAP.
They put her under probation in Macpherson!!! The nation is not cynical because she really don’t know what to say
BTW SG Democracy YR2011 Rd 2: Who is going to stand for EP?
Is it President Nathan again , if his health permits or new candidates?
If latter who can be the candidates (Sorri BG Yeo & same year loser not included or invited)
A) Tommy Koh
B) Kishore Murbani
C) Richard Hu ( We once had a finance minister whose signature was on all $ bill be4 exile or disappearing act??)
D) Tan Kin Lian (Gd Pple person)
E) TK Durai ( return fm serving time)
F) Ahmad Mattar (If still alive)
G) See Ai Mi ( previous losers allowed so long not YR2011)
F) Lee Wei Ling (just a thght , still sentimental grds)
H)TPL’s husband (comes with leash, but is SG ready for TPL as 1st Lady;))
I) Catherine Lim (loses out on financial bkgrd,or C level experience)
J)Peter Lim (Remiser King, dude’s got midas touch and sprinkle some on lost GIC & Temasek for bettern returns)
Excluded: Lim Boon heng (“Jesus” wannabe as said SGporeans all leapers wo gratitude during pre elections, Quote ST).
Let us see who makes it qualifyin rds if EP elections on.
The main topic on everyone’s mind is not abt BG Yeo & gang out.Old fart story.only MSM keepin the stench alive with daily mournin on SG media- whores.TPL is like vomit sewer which again MSM licks.
the New Qn is Like Who Wts to Be Millionaire?
Who Within PAP Will Be out In YR2016?
a) Is it Vivian Bala
b) Is it KBW
c) Is it MBT
d) Is it NHK
or All of above!!!
WKS & old dinosaurs omitted as dead or retired likely no offense, just Nature’s Hard Truth
That is the Million oops sorri no insult multi Million dollar qn.
trash bitch
Give her a chance la!
5 years is a long time and during this period any day can screw up one
Give her chance
Hopeless. She still doesn’t know what to say.