By
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/veteran-politician-chiam-see-tong-to-set-charity-foundation
Noah Tan
[email protected]
.
Published: 12:20 PM, January 18, 2017
Updated: 12:31 PM, January 18, 2017
SINGAPORE — Veteran politician Mr Chiam See Tong has applied to the Registry of Societies (ROS) to set up a foundation, TODAY understands.
The aim of this foundation, which will be named after Mr Chiam, is to provide financial aid to those who need it to pursue their goals, but happen to fall outside the current systems that provide such help.
Having submitted the application in November, Mr Chiam, 81, who leads the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) and is its Secretary-General, is expected to receive a reply from the ROS by early next month.
When contacted about this subject, Mrs Lina Chiam, Mr Chiam’s wife, replied in an email: “We are unable to make any comment in regard to your media query.”
Mr Chiam is Singapore’s longest serving opposition Member of Parliament in a Single-Member Constituency (SMC). He was the MP for Potong Pasir from 1984 to 2011. At the 2011 General Election, Mr Chiam left his constituency to stand as a member of the SPP’s team in the Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC). The SPP was defeated by the People’s Action Party team there while Mrs Chiam, standing in Potong Pasir, was defeated narrowly by Mr Sitoh Yih Pin of the PAP.
It is understood that Mr Chiam has roped in local swimming icon Mr Ang Peng Siong to be the chairman of the foundation’s board of governors.
Mr Chiam was coached by Peng Siong’s father, Mr Ang Teck Bee, during his time at Anglo-Chinese School, where he swam competitively.
Peng Siong told TODAY that he “did not want to comment further till everything was confirmed”.
Managing director of communications agency SPIN Worldwide Mr Jose Raymond is expected to serve as the foundation’s deputy chairman.
The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Singapore Environment Council previously posted on his Facebook page that Mr Chiam had provided financial help to his family during the 1980s, which allowed them to purchase a HDB flat.
Political observer and former Nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Calvin Cheng said that the setting up of this foundation will help to cement Mr Chiam’s legacy in Singapore as a political figure who champions the cause of the underprivileged.
“Firstly, I think the goal (of the foundation) is very noble. It is something that I may personally donate to, as long as the foundation spells out how they will identify who falls outside the current system,” Mr Cheng told TODAY.
“The problem is that there will be people who will not be covered by a certain scheme because of means testing, but it isn’t that they fall in the cracks – it’s just that somewhere a line has to be drawn. So the mechanics of Mr Chiam’s scheme is important.
“Overall, I think it is great that Mr Chiam is setting up a foundation, as people should remember him for fighting the good and noble fight for the opposition cause.
“He is someone with integrity, strong principles, and a role-model for opposition politicians, so I hope members of the establishment will rally around and support him in this endeavour.”
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/veteran-politician-chiam-see-tong-to-set-charity-foundation
Noah Tan
[email protected]
.
Published: 12:20 PM, January 18, 2017
Updated: 12:31 PM, January 18, 2017
SINGAPORE — Veteran politician Mr Chiam See Tong has applied to the Registry of Societies (ROS) to set up a foundation, TODAY understands.
The aim of this foundation, which will be named after Mr Chiam, is to provide financial aid to those who need it to pursue their goals, but happen to fall outside the current systems that provide such help.
Having submitted the application in November, Mr Chiam, 81, who leads the Singapore People’s Party (SPP) and is its Secretary-General, is expected to receive a reply from the ROS by early next month.
When contacted about this subject, Mrs Lina Chiam, Mr Chiam’s wife, replied in an email: “We are unable to make any comment in regard to your media query.”
Mr Chiam is Singapore’s longest serving opposition Member of Parliament in a Single-Member Constituency (SMC). He was the MP for Potong Pasir from 1984 to 2011. At the 2011 General Election, Mr Chiam left his constituency to stand as a member of the SPP’s team in the Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC). The SPP was defeated by the People’s Action Party team there while Mrs Chiam, standing in Potong Pasir, was defeated narrowly by Mr Sitoh Yih Pin of the PAP.
It is understood that Mr Chiam has roped in local swimming icon Mr Ang Peng Siong to be the chairman of the foundation’s board of governors.
Mr Chiam was coached by Peng Siong’s father, Mr Ang Teck Bee, during his time at Anglo-Chinese School, where he swam competitively.
Peng Siong told TODAY that he “did not want to comment further till everything was confirmed”.
Managing director of communications agency SPIN Worldwide Mr Jose Raymond is expected to serve as the foundation’s deputy chairman.
The former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Singapore Environment Council previously posted on his Facebook page that Mr Chiam had provided financial help to his family during the 1980s, which allowed them to purchase a HDB flat.
Political observer and former Nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Mr Calvin Cheng said that the setting up of this foundation will help to cement Mr Chiam’s legacy in Singapore as a political figure who champions the cause of the underprivileged.
“Firstly, I think the goal (of the foundation) is very noble. It is something that I may personally donate to, as long as the foundation spells out how they will identify who falls outside the current system,” Mr Cheng told TODAY.
“The problem is that there will be people who will not be covered by a certain scheme because of means testing, but it isn’t that they fall in the cracks – it’s just that somewhere a line has to be drawn. So the mechanics of Mr Chiam’s scheme is important.
“Overall, I think it is great that Mr Chiam is setting up a foundation, as people should remember him for fighting the good and noble fight for the opposition cause.
“He is someone with integrity, strong principles, and a role-model for opposition politicians, so I hope members of the establishment will rally around and support him in this endeavour.”
