SINGAPORE — At a press conference after Nomination Day yesterday (Sept 1), the National Solidarity Party introduced two of the new faces it is fielding in the General Election - Mr Choong Hon Heng and Mr Lim Tean, who is also the party’s new acting secretary-general, replacing Ms Hazel Poa. The NSP, unlike most other Opposition parties, did not introduce their candidates before Nomination Day.
Standing in this General Election gives Mr Choong Hon Heng a bigger platform for speak up on issues he is passionate about, the 45-year-old said yesterday.
Mr Choong is making his electoral debut as part of the five-man team from National Solidarity Party (NSP) that is taking on the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in Tampines GRC.
An issue close to heart is the economic impact of opening the doors to foreigners. “Regardless of what sectors, Singaporeans should (be considered) first, why should we give the jobs to someone else? Then where should Singaporeans look for jobs? Overseas?” he said at the NSP’s press conference yesterday (Sept 1), where he was introduced.
He added that his many years of experience in community service will come in handy in understanding the people’s concerns. Since the 1980s, he has volunteered at various community groups such as the Singapore Association for the Deaf and Chao Yang Special School.
Mr Choong started volunteering for NSP after the Lehman Brother crisis in 2008. He had some “difficulties” due to the crisis and was part of a group who met with former NSP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng to seek his advice.
That encountered led to him joining as a party member and after “many years” of being in the background, he saw it fit to step up as a candidate this year.
Choong Hon Heng, 45
Service provider for new start-ups and SMEs
FACTFILE:
• Holds a Diploma in Computing
• Has actively participated in community work since 1980s
• Married
