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Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
Where's Michael Thng? Commenters ask after WP announces CEC update
SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party's (WP) announcement of updates to its top decision-making body was generally met with positive responses in online spaces, although a number of commenters had one question in common: 'Where's Michael Thng?' Mr Thng, who was fielded by the WP as part of its slate at Tampines GRC in last month's General Election, appears to have made quite a good impression with many in Singapore, to the point that some expected him to take a more visible place within the party. On Wednesday (June 18), the WP announced that its four new Members of Parliament— Sengkang MP Abdul Muhaimin, Aljunied MP Kenneth Tiong, and Non-Constituency MPs Eileen Chong and Andre Low—had been co-opted into its Central Executive Committee (CEC). The party also said that Ms Chong was its new Youth Wing head, taking over from Sengkang MP Jamus Lim. Many of the commenters online praised the WP for its leadership renewal, especially since party chair Sylvia Lim turned 60 earlier this year, and speculation has spread that she may only contest in one more GE. See also Pritam Singh: PAP's One-dimensional perspective A lot of netizens expressed approval of Ms Chong's new role in the party, saying that the 33-year-old is in the right place to represent the youth and begin to get ready for even bigger leadership roles. However, across different social media platforms, and even on the WP's Facebook account, netizens have been looking for Mr Thng, 37, who had made a splash during the campaign period when he said at a rally, 'We don't want to be told that the sky is white when we see it is blue.' He had also performed well during a televised debate prior to the May 3 polls. 'What about Michael Thng?' a commenter asked. 'Why didn't (the WP) include Michael Thng into the CEC,' another wanted to know, opining that Mr Thng is 'brilliant in talking.' 'I think Michael Thng should be with Eileen Choong to promote more youth to join the WP,' wrote a Facebook user. On Reddit, one asked, 'Michael Thng no more?' A commenter answered that 'Historically, the WP has voted their sitting parliamentarians into their CEC,' but added, 'have to follow their socials to see if Michael is still on the ground, I hope he is. The ground game for GE2030 has already started.' When one wondered if he had gone back to the United States, another replied that Mr Thng had just helped out at the Meet the People Session of Sengkang MP He Ting Ru the night before. Mr Thng, the chief operating officer of a tech start-up, has been volunteering with the WP for at least 15 years. 'I was always struck by his passion for Singapore, for our democratic processes, and how despite spending much time in the US, he would always fly back to be involved in election campaigns,' wrote Ms He in a social media post in April , adding that Mr Thng had gone with her when she contested at Marine Parade for GE2015 and then again at Sengkang for GE2020./TISG Read also: WP's Michael Thng: 'We don't want to be told that the sky is white when we see it is blue'
CNA
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
WP's Andre Low and Eileen Chong to take up Non-Constituency MP seats
The Workers' Party's Andre Low and Eileen Chong will be taking up the two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats in Singapore's 15th Parliament. Mr Low and Ms Chong were both newcomers in the recent General Election and earned the "best losses". Mr Low contested in Jalan Kayu SMC, where he clinched about 48.5% of the votes. Ms Chong was part of the five-person WP team fielded in Tampines GRC that won about 47.4% of the votes.
CNA
19-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Non-Constituency MP positions filled by Workers' Party's Andre Low and Eileen Chong
SINGAPORE: Mr Andre Low and Ms Eileen Chong from the Workers' Party (WP) will take up the two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) seats in Singapore's 15th parliament. Mr Low contested in Jalan Kayu SMC while Ms Chong was part of the WP's five-member team in Tampines GRC. These were constituencies that saw the highest vote percentages among losers at the polls. In a media release on Monday (May 19), the Elections Department said that the Returning Officer wrote to the group of candidates from WP who contested in Tampines GRC on May 9, 2025 and asked the group to determine amongst themselves the candidate to be declared elected as NCMP. The group informed the Returning Officer on Sunday of their decision to nominate Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan as the candidate to be declared elected as NCMP. NCMP seats are typically offered to the best-performing losing opposition candidates if the number of elected opposition candidates falls short of a stipulated number. Changes to the NCMP scheme in 2016 increased the minimum number of opposition MPs in parliament from nine to 12. The change also gives NCMPs the same voting rights as elected MPs. With the WP successfully defending its 10 parliamentary seats – namely the five-member Aljunied GRC, four-member Sengkang GRC and single-seat constituency Hougang – two seats became available for NCMPs. One of which went to Mr Low, the 34-year-old WP newcomer who lost to labour chief Ng Chee Meng, 56, with 48.53 per cent of the vote. The WP's team in Tampines garnered 47.37 per cent, losing in a four-cornered fight to the PAP. The team was led by WP vice-chair Faisal Manap, 49, and comprised four newcomers – Mr Jimmy Tan, 53, Dr Ong Lue Ping, 48, Ms Eileen Chong, 33, and Mr Michael Thng, 37.
CNA
15-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Deep Dive Podcast - WP's Ong Lue Ping on stepping down from IMH senior leadership to join opposition
When he decided to be actively involved as a Workers' Party candidate, senior principal child psychologist Dr Ong Lue Ping decided to move out of his then-director position at the Institute of Mental Health. The WP candidate for Tampines GRC tells Steven Chia why staying could have presented a conflict of interest, and what prompted him to join the opposition party.
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
GE2025: WP supporters left with mixed emotions over results
WP supporters at Serangoon stadium on May 3. ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG SINGAPORE - The colourful party streamers were still draped on the trees outside the coffee shop at Block 322 Hougang Avenue 5 and there were smiles aplenty, but WP supporters said they had mixed feelings. Mr Ng, a 60-year-old who declined to reveal his full name, said that a WP victory in Hougang, the party's stronghold of more than three decades, was expected. But the party's showing in other constituencies was not. WP contested and lost in Punggol, East Coast and Tampines GRCs, as well as in Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs. 'I wouldn't say that we are disappointed — but we had hope,' said the driver in Mandarin. He had hoped for the WP to gain more seats in Parliament in the 2025 General Election, saying that cost of living concerns are top of mind. His group of six friends - all senior citizens and long-time residents of Hougang - had gathered on May 4 near the coffee shop to greet elected MP Dennis Tan. The 54-year-old was re-elected for his second consecutive term in the single-seat constituency. Mr Ng, with his friends chiming in, said that WP MPs have been a consistent presence on the ground over the years. 'Unfortunately, for the PAP candidate in Hougang, they only have a chance to win if they are moved to other constituencies,' said a resident in her 60s, who declined to reveal her name. At the polls on May 3, Mr Tan beat PAP newcomer Marshall Lim, 38, with 62.17 per cent of the vote share. Mr Wang, a Tampines GRC voter and WP supporter, was at the coffeeshop as well. WP supporters watching the results of the general election at the coffeeshop at Block 322 Hougang Avenue 5 on May 3. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN Residents have often gathered there across the different elections to wait for results on polling day. Mr Wang, who declined to reveal his full name, was armed with a copy of Chinese daily Lianhe Zaobao . He said : 'I thought Tampines GRC had a 50-50 chance.' The PAP team retained the seat with 52.02 per cent of the vote in the constituency. Hougang residents, who have collectively voted for WP MPs in the constituency since 1991, poked their heads out of their windows to applaud Mr Tan. They shouted cheers of 'Workers' Party', when he arrived in Hougang Avenue 5 for a victory parade at about 12.20pm. Elected Hougang MP Dennis Tan (right) waving to residents during a victory parade on May 4. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Residents greeting Mr Tan during his victory parade in Hougang Avenue 5 on May 4. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI Mr Eric Goh, who there was with his two children, said: 'MP Dennis Tan has been such a constant presence that even my 5-year-old daughter recognises him.' The taxi driver said Mr Tan had previously attended an event at his daughter's infant care centre . The WP team in Sengkang GRC also held a victory parade . The opposition party won 56.31 per cent of the vote share against the PAP in the 2025 General Election, up from 52.12 per cent in 2020. The team - elected MPs Ms He Ting Ru, 41; Mr Jamus Lim, 49; Mr Louis Chua, 37; and Mr Abdul Muhaimin, 36 - waved to supporters from a truck. The WP team in Sengkang GRC - (from left) Ms He Ting Ru, Mr Jamus Lim, Mr Abdul Muhaimin and Mr Louis Chua - holding a victory parade on May 4. ST PHOTO: ANGELICA ANG Mr Chua spoke with The Straits Times during a brief stop at Rivervale Community Club (CC). He said: 'We're out here this morning to thank our residents for their support. 'We are very grateful for the support that they have given to us and their trust.' Sengkang resident Andrew Yap, 60, made a s pecial trip to catch a glimpse of the 'Sengkang Four,' as they are known on social media. The businessman, who usually spends Sundays resting at home, said he took a walk that morning in hopes of meeting them. 'They came in only five years ago but really made a difference . 'When the lift in my block was spoiled, they fixed it quickly. When any facilities are spoiled, they fix it quickly,' Mr Yap said. Other WP supporters in Sengkang told ST that the MPs have gained residents' support over the past five years through estate improvements, including the introduction of more bus services and sheltered linkways. Ms Shirley Leong and her friend Pamela Tan, both 30, have lived in Sengkang since they were children, but arrived too late to meet the WP at Rivervale CC. Ms Tan, who works as a freelancer in the construction industry, said the improved infrastructure has made it easier to take public transport to her places of work. Both attended four WP rallies during the campaign period and said GE2025 had felt more personal than the 2020 election. Ms Tan said : 'I felt the kampung spirit, with people from different backgrounds getting together even outside the rallies.' At around 10.30am, a handful of WP supporters waited at Kopitiam Square near the Compass One mall, but missed WP's victory parade. Among them was a 40-year-old mother of two, who declined to give her name. She said she and her family had moved over from Punggol a few years ago because Sengkang was held by the WP. 'I'm touched by what they contribute, not just to Sengkang, but by speaking up in Parliament about issues like housing.' She added: 'My husband asked me what we would do if they lost the election. 'I said: 'We can move again.'' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
