http://yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4747-democrats-unveil-first-six-candidates
Democrats unveil first six candidates
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Singapore Democrats
The Singapore Democratic Party is proud to present the first slate of its 11 candidates who will contest in the coming GE. They are: John Tan, 49; Dr James Gomez, 46; Michelle Lee, 35; Jarrod Luo, 27; Teo Soh Lung, 62; and Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, 40.
John Tan
John Tan is the assistant secretary-general of the SDP. John is a social psychologist with a Masters from the University of Wisconsin. He spent 10 years in the United States doing research and writing on intrinsic motivation and empowerment, and has taught in universities in the US and Singapore.
John has contributed extensively to the community through projects and activities of the church and organizations such as Mensa Singapore, the Singapore Psychological Society and Optimist International.
He has a keen insight on politics in Singapore. "I have seen how economic prosperity and democracy can work hand-in-hand for the betterment of society," John says "and I believe there is only one justification for the existence of governments, and that is to serve the people."
Michelle Lee
Michelle Lee Juen, 35, is a graduate of the London School of Economics with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Government and Economics, scoring first-class honours in the Government component of her degree programme.
She worked in the Monetary Authority of Singapore. She later worked for Salomon Smith Barney Citibank as a financial analyst, and Mercer Management Consulting in Hong Kong.
In 2002, Michelle made a career shift and became an English and Literature teacher. "Working with children rather than money has been infinitely more fulfilling," she said. She currently teaches a group of underprivileged children in the Holland Road area and delivers food to needy residents.
Her global experience in finance, consultancy and education stand her in good stead to serve the needs of the people of Singapore.
She is a proud mother of three, and a successful practitioner of the work-life balance.
Teo Soh Lung
Soh Lung graduated from the then University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) in 1973 and served her pupillage under the late David Marshall.|
In 1985, Soh Lung co-founded the Law Society Criminal Legal Aid Scheme which offers free legal assistance for criminal cases to the poor and needy members of the public.
She also chaired a sub-committee under the Law Society which reviewed the Legal Profession Amendment Bill. Shortly after, she was subpoenaed to appear before a Parliamentary Select Committee and was vigorously questioned by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Soh Lung steadfastly defended her stand and the Law Society. She was subsequently elected as a member of the Council of the Law Society.
Some months later, in 1987, she was arrested and imprisoned without trial under the Internal Security Act. She was finally released in June 1990.
James Gomez
James is presently a senior academic at an Australian based university in Melbourne. Before joining taking up this appointment, James was Visiting Scholar at Keio University, Japan (2008-9).
Prior to that, from 2006 to 2008, he was Programme Officer at International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in Stockholm Sweden.
James has over 15 years of international experience as a manager and communications specialist in research institutions, inter-governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations.
James is also the founding Executive Director of Singaporean NGOs Singaporeans for Democracy (2009) and Think Centre (1999).
He joined the Singapore Democrats in 2010. “I joined the SDP because of its clear policy ideas and its determination to speak up fearlessly against injustices.”
Vincent Wijeysingha
Dr Vincent Wijeysingha received his PhD from Sheffield University in the UK. He has had years of professional experience both in Singapore and in Britain.
He is presently the Executive Director of Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), a non-government organization advocating the rights of low-waged migrant workers. Vincent also lectures and publishes scholarly papers on social work.
He joined the SDP because he realized he had a responsibility as a Singaporean to work for change. “I cannot look the other way as more and more people experience the adverse effects of current PAP policies,” Vincent said when he joined the SDP.
Vincent, son of former Raffles Institution principal Eugene Wijeysingha, is perhaps best known for leading an SDP team in drawing up Shadow Budget 2011: Empowering the Nation, the SDP’s answer and alternative to the PAP Government’s Budget.
Jarrod Luo
Jarrod, 27, is a graduate from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Biomedical Science and Microbiology.
He is the Honorary Secretary of the party’s youth wing, The Young Democrats.
He is also the Managing Director of his own food and beverage start-up in the service sector, after joining a catering operation for over one year as a Kitchen Manager.
“Politics is about service to the people, and especially the residents who have given me their confidence and mandate. I look forward to the effective use of my experiences accrued so far in service of my fellow Singaporeans.”
Democrats unveil first six candidates
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Singapore Democrats
The Singapore Democratic Party is proud to present the first slate of its 11 candidates who will contest in the coming GE. They are: John Tan, 49; Dr James Gomez, 46; Michelle Lee, 35; Jarrod Luo, 27; Teo Soh Lung, 62; and Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, 40.
John Tan
John Tan is the assistant secretary-general of the SDP. John is a social psychologist with a Masters from the University of Wisconsin. He spent 10 years in the United States doing research and writing on intrinsic motivation and empowerment, and has taught in universities in the US and Singapore.
John has contributed extensively to the community through projects and activities of the church and organizations such as Mensa Singapore, the Singapore Psychological Society and Optimist International.
He has a keen insight on politics in Singapore. "I have seen how economic prosperity and democracy can work hand-in-hand for the betterment of society," John says "and I believe there is only one justification for the existence of governments, and that is to serve the people."
Michelle Lee
Michelle Lee Juen, 35, is a graduate of the London School of Economics with a B.Sc. (Hons) in Government and Economics, scoring first-class honours in the Government component of her degree programme.
She worked in the Monetary Authority of Singapore. She later worked for Salomon Smith Barney Citibank as a financial analyst, and Mercer Management Consulting in Hong Kong.
In 2002, Michelle made a career shift and became an English and Literature teacher. "Working with children rather than money has been infinitely more fulfilling," she said. She currently teaches a group of underprivileged children in the Holland Road area and delivers food to needy residents.
Her global experience in finance, consultancy and education stand her in good stead to serve the needs of the people of Singapore.
She is a proud mother of three, and a successful practitioner of the work-life balance.
Teo Soh Lung
Soh Lung graduated from the then University of Singapore with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons) in 1973 and served her pupillage under the late David Marshall.|
In 1985, Soh Lung co-founded the Law Society Criminal Legal Aid Scheme which offers free legal assistance for criminal cases to the poor and needy members of the public.
She also chaired a sub-committee under the Law Society which reviewed the Legal Profession Amendment Bill. Shortly after, she was subpoenaed to appear before a Parliamentary Select Committee and was vigorously questioned by then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Soh Lung steadfastly defended her stand and the Law Society. She was subsequently elected as a member of the Council of the Law Society.
Some months later, in 1987, she was arrested and imprisoned without trial under the Internal Security Act. She was finally released in June 1990.
James Gomez
James is presently a senior academic at an Australian based university in Melbourne. Before joining taking up this appointment, James was Visiting Scholar at Keio University, Japan (2008-9).
Prior to that, from 2006 to 2008, he was Programme Officer at International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA) in Stockholm Sweden.
James has over 15 years of international experience as a manager and communications specialist in research institutions, inter-governmental agencies and non-governmental organisations.
James is also the founding Executive Director of Singaporean NGOs Singaporeans for Democracy (2009) and Think Centre (1999).
He joined the Singapore Democrats in 2010. “I joined the SDP because of its clear policy ideas and its determination to speak up fearlessly against injustices.”
Vincent Wijeysingha
Dr Vincent Wijeysingha received his PhD from Sheffield University in the UK. He has had years of professional experience both in Singapore and in Britain.
He is presently the Executive Director of Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2), a non-government organization advocating the rights of low-waged migrant workers. Vincent also lectures and publishes scholarly papers on social work.
He joined the SDP because he realized he had a responsibility as a Singaporean to work for change. “I cannot look the other way as more and more people experience the adverse effects of current PAP policies,” Vincent said when he joined the SDP.
Vincent, son of former Raffles Institution principal Eugene Wijeysingha, is perhaps best known for leading an SDP team in drawing up Shadow Budget 2011: Empowering the Nation, the SDP’s answer and alternative to the PAP Government’s Budget.
Jarrod Luo
Jarrod, 27, is a graduate from the University of Queensland, Australia in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in Biomedical Science and Microbiology.
He is the Honorary Secretary of the party’s youth wing, The Young Democrats.
He is also the Managing Director of his own food and beverage start-up in the service sector, after joining a catering operation for over one year as a Kitchen Manager.
“Politics is about service to the people, and especially the residents who have given me their confidence and mandate. I look forward to the effective use of my experiences accrued so far in service of my fellow Singaporeans.”