<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published April 11, 2009
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Delicate balancing act for multi-tasker
Teo Ser Luck's appointment as mayor of the North-East CDC adds to the many roles he is already performing
By LEE U-WEN
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HE was the youngest office-holder to be involved in last month's Cabinet reshuffle, and his latest appointment as a mayor in Singapore was, in Teo Ser Luck's own words, a 'very unexpected' one.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>WEARING MANY HATS
Mr Teo, 40, has no fewer than eight separate political roles. Still, the father of two finds time to take part in Ironman events</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Already tasked with at least seven other roles - two of them as Senior Parliamentary Secretary at different ministries - Mr Teo, 40, says it will take a delicate balancing act to make sure he devotes enough time to each of them.
But it is a challenge he relishes, he told BT in an interview at his office at the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
'During my meeting before the reshuffle with (Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong), he asked me how would I balance (my work),' Mr Teo said. 'He knows each of our strengths and weaknesses, and where we are best. He stretches us all, especially the younger ones like me. He places us where he thinks we can be stretched but also allows us to shine.'
Mr Teo says his job as a mayor will provide a 'bigger platform' for him in his young political career, having entered politics only at the 2006 general election.
'I treasure this opportunity,' he said. 'If I have the ability and capacity, and someone believes in me, then I won't want to let anyone down.'
Still, it's a tall order as Mr Teo goes about his duties in no fewer than eight separate roles. He is also SPS at the Transport Ministry, a Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC), chairman of the People's Action Party youth wing and chairman of the National Youth Council.
Oh, and there's also the small matter of being one of the key people putting together the inaugural Youth Olympic Games that Singapore will host in 2010. Not to mention helping to make sure the first-ever Asian Youth Games - also to be hosted here - runs smoothly when it takes place in June this year.
Mr Teo will officially be mayor of the North-East Community Development Council (CDC) next month, on May 31, taking over from the outgoing Zainul Abidin Rasheed, who is Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The NE CDC comprises three GRCs - Aljunied, Pasir Ris-Punggol and Tampines - as well as the Hougang Single Member Constituency.
While it is 'too early' to talk about his plans as mayor for now, Mr Teo said a priority will be to continue to rally the support of other mayors and grassroots leaders to make sure that community engagement remains high, especially given that YOG is fast approaching.
'I have a lot to pick up from Mayor Zainul,' he said. 'Since the beginning, he has been very supportive of YOG. He and the other mayors have been planning their calendars to suit the YOG platform and ensure the awareness is there.'
In between getting 'about five hours of sleep' each night and being a husband and a father of two, Mr Teo is more than willing to sacrifice his personal time if need be.
But when it comes to taking part in triathlons, that is one aspect of life he will 'not give up'. In a few weeks he will fly to China to take part in an Ironman event, in a bid to challenge himself mentally and physically.
'I want to prove to myself that I can complete a full Ironman while in office,' he said. 'I've laid off doing so for nearly three years, and I enjoy the feeling of taking part.'
Last month, he finished in the top 10 per cent of the participants at the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore event.
'It's things like this that keep me energised and motivated,' he said. 'You must always have something to look forward to every day.'
</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Delicate balancing act for multi-tasker
Teo Ser Luck's appointment as mayor of the North-East CDC adds to the many roles he is already performing
By LEE U-WEN
<TABLE class=storyLinks cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 width=136 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR class=font10><TD align=right width=20>
</TD><TD>Email this article</TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD align=right width=20>
</TD><TD>Print article </TD></TR><TR class=font10><TD align=right width=20>
</TD><TD>Feedback</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>HE was the youngest office-holder to be involved in last month's Cabinet reshuffle, and his latest appointment as a mayor in Singapore was, in Teo Ser Luck's own words, a 'very unexpected' one.
<TABLE class=picBoxL cellSpacing=2 width=100 align=left><TBODY><TR><TD>
</TD></TR><TR class=caption><TD>WEARING MANY HATSMr Teo, 40, has no fewer than eight separate political roles. Still, the father of two finds time to take part in Ironman events</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Already tasked with at least seven other roles - two of them as Senior Parliamentary Secretary at different ministries - Mr Teo, 40, says it will take a delicate balancing act to make sure he devotes enough time to each of them.
But it is a challenge he relishes, he told BT in an interview at his office at the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports.
'During my meeting before the reshuffle with (Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong), he asked me how would I balance (my work),' Mr Teo said. 'He knows each of our strengths and weaknesses, and where we are best. He stretches us all, especially the younger ones like me. He places us where he thinks we can be stretched but also allows us to shine.'
Mr Teo says his job as a mayor will provide a 'bigger platform' for him in his young political career, having entered politics only at the 2006 general election.
'I treasure this opportunity,' he said. 'If I have the ability and capacity, and someone believes in me, then I won't want to let anyone down.'
Still, it's a tall order as Mr Teo goes about his duties in no fewer than eight separate roles. He is also SPS at the Transport Ministry, a Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC), chairman of the People's Action Party youth wing and chairman of the National Youth Council.
Oh, and there's also the small matter of being one of the key people putting together the inaugural Youth Olympic Games that Singapore will host in 2010. Not to mention helping to make sure the first-ever Asian Youth Games - also to be hosted here - runs smoothly when it takes place in June this year.
Mr Teo will officially be mayor of the North-East Community Development Council (CDC) next month, on May 31, taking over from the outgoing Zainul Abidin Rasheed, who is Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.
The NE CDC comprises three GRCs - Aljunied, Pasir Ris-Punggol and Tampines - as well as the Hougang Single Member Constituency.
While it is 'too early' to talk about his plans as mayor for now, Mr Teo said a priority will be to continue to rally the support of other mayors and grassroots leaders to make sure that community engagement remains high, especially given that YOG is fast approaching.
'I have a lot to pick up from Mayor Zainul,' he said. 'Since the beginning, he has been very supportive of YOG. He and the other mayors have been planning their calendars to suit the YOG platform and ensure the awareness is there.'
In between getting 'about five hours of sleep' each night and being a husband and a father of two, Mr Teo is more than willing to sacrifice his personal time if need be.
But when it comes to taking part in triathlons, that is one aspect of life he will 'not give up'. In a few weeks he will fly to China to take part in an Ironman event, in a bid to challenge himself mentally and physically.
'I want to prove to myself that I can complete a full Ironman while in office,' he said. 'I've laid off doing so for nearly three years, and I enjoy the feeling of taking part.'
Last month, he finished in the top 10 per cent of the participants at the Aviva Ironman 70.3 Singapore event.
'It's things like this that keep me energised and motivated,' he said. 'You must always have something to look forward to every day.'
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