Three iconic women who have made an indelible mark on Singapore opposition politics

SINGAPORE: Once we speak concerning the opposition in Singapore, we hardly speak concerning the girls who’ve formed it.

There are, in fact, fewer girls than males within the opposition camp – similar to how there are fewer girls within the ruling get together. One distinguished feminine politician, the Individuals’s Motion Get together’s (PAP) Josephine Teo not too long ago spoke about the price of being in politics – that she doesn’t get to spend as a lot time together with her kids and that she generally wonders if she made the fitting alternative moving into the political fray.

For girls within the opposition, the hurdles are notably increased, demanding a heftier value within the face of monetary insecurity and fears of job loss. Not like their counterparts within the ruling get together who obtain substantial compensation, girls within the opposition typically discover themselves shouldering private bills to champion Singaporeans.

From election deposits to marketing campaign prices, these girls navigate an uneven political enjoying area, investing not simply their time but additionally their private funds in connecting with the citizens.

It’s, actually, no shock that so few girls step ahead to hitch the opposition given these circumstances. The ladies who do determine to take action, regardless of the excessive price, have emerged as trailblazers, leaving an everlasting legacy that paves the way in which for a extra inclusive and equitable future.

In celebration of Worldwide Ladies’s Day, we shine a highlight on three outstanding girls who’ve left an indelible mark on Singapore’s political panorama: Lina Chiam, Sylvia Lim, and Hazel Poa.

Having all served as Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMP) at totally different factors of their careers, these girls haven’t solely championed the reason for gender equality however have additionally made the brave option to dedicate their lives to Singapore and its folks, regardless of the appreciable private prices concerned.

1. Lina Chiam, the matriarch of the opposition 

Lina Chiam, a formidable determine in Singaporean politics, has performed an enormous position within the opposition for many years beginning together with her unwavering assist for her husband, opposition big Chiam See Tong, throughout his 27 years as a Member of Parliament (MP).

A educated nurse, Mrs Chiam was a brand new bride when Mr Chiam was elected in 1976. She stop her job quickly after the wedding in 1975 to assist with administrative work at Mr Chiam’s legislation agency, in addition to assist his political work.

Mrs Chiam performed a vital position behind the scenes, together with her steadfast dedication to his political profession. Regardless of the challenges and political adversities Mr Chiam confronted, particularly at one level when he was the only real elected opposition MP in opposition to the PAP sea, Mrs Chiam remained a pillar of power, offering essential assist and encouragement.

Mrs Chiam stepped into the political enviornment herself in 2011, standing in her husband’s Potong Pasir single member ward whereas he contested the bigger Bishan-Toa Payoh group constituency.

She misplaced the election by a particularly slim margin of 114 votes (0.72%), garnering 49.64% of the vote in opposition to the PAP’s 50.36%.

Regardless of the defeat, as one of the best performing defeated candidate, Mrs Chiam certified for a seat within the twelfth Parliament as an NCMP by advantage of being one of many “greatest losers” in an election wherein fewer than 9 opposition Members of Parliament had been elected.

She accepted the NCMP and served within the twelfth Parliament from 12 Could 2011 to 23 August 2015.

In her time within the Home, Mrs Chiam actively engaged in advocating for social justice and girls’s rights. Her presence within the political enviornment introduced consideration to points that always went missed, making her a voice for these searching for equity and equality.

Mrs Chiam demonstrated that ladies may play substantive roles in shaping legislative choices, difficult conventional norms throughout the political panorama.

Mrs Chiam stepped down from electoral politics forward of the 2020 basic election as a result of Mr Chiam’s declining well being, though she stays a member of the Singapore Individuals’s Get together’s highest decision-making physique.

At present, her legacy extends past her husband’s political profession; Her resilience within the face of electoral challenges and private sacrifices set a precedent for future generations of ladies in Singaporean politics.

2. Sylvia Lim, one of many first feminine elected MP from the opposition 

The Employees’ Get together’s (WP) Sylvia Lim paved the way in which for ladies within the opposition by changing into certainly one of Singapore’s first feminine opposition MPs, post-independence.

Ms Lim adopted in her father’s footsteps, first becoming a member of the police drive as an inspector earlier than carving out a profession in legislation.

The 2001 Common Election was a turning level for her. Barely two months after the devastating 9/11 tragedy shook the world, Ms Lim mentioned that she was distressed that two-thirds of the seats had been left uncontested by the opposition as a result of suddenness of the “snap election,” permitting the ruling get together to say these wards by walkover.

Ms Lim referred to as up then-WP chief Low Thia Khiang and expressed her curiosity to hitch the get together proper after the election. She signed papers to hitch the get together simply 10 days after the 2001 Common Election and shortly rose up the ranks to change into the get together’s Chairman 18 months later, in 2003.

Ms Lim made her first foray into electoral politics in 2006 when she was fielded as an opposition candidate for the primary time in that 12 months’s basic election. The star candidate was chosen to guide the WP workforce contesting Aljunied GRC.

Though the WP workforce misplaced to the incumbents with 43.9 per cent of the vote, Ms Lim was appointed a non-constituency member of parliament (NCMP) since her workforce obtained the best rating among the many shedding opposition candidates within the election. Ms Lim served as NCMP from 2006 to 2011.

Ms Lim was lastly elected to Parliament together with her Aljunied GRC workforce within the 2011 basic election and was re-elected through the 2015 basic election. The WP held on to Aljunied GRC in the latest 2020 basic election and obtained a powerful mandate of practically 60 per cent – its greatest end result because it first gained the ward in 2011.

The WP chair has performed an enormous position in advocating for ladies in politics. Over the a long time, she has offered a gentle and principled voice throughout the opposition, constantly working in direction of guaranteeing checks and balances inside Singapore’s political system.

Identified for her articulate communication and substantive contributions throughout parliamentary debates, Ms Lim has performed an important position in shaping coverage discussions.

Her longstanding presence within the political enviornment has been a supply of inspiration for ladies searching for lively roles in politics. As one of many distinguished girls within the opposition, she has demonstrated that ladies can maintain influential positions and contribute meaningfully to coverage discussions.

3. Hazel Poa, Singapore’s very first feminine political get together chief

NCMP Hazel Poa made historical past final month as she was made Singapore’s very first feminine secretary-general when she succeeded Leong Mun Wai as Progress Singapore Get together (PSP) chief.

Ms Poa has had an intensive profession in politics, having entered the opposition a decade and a half in the past, in 2009.

Over time, Ms Poa’s political journey has been marked by her advocacy for financial equality and social justice. Her emphasis on addressing the issues of the folks, notably these associated to financial disparities and social points, displays a dedication to creating a good and inclusive society.

The highway to the PSP’s highest seat took time and Ms Poa stayed the course, showcasing her unfailing resilience and never-give-up spirit. She was elected into the get together’s Central Govt Committee in 2019, 5 years earlier than she earned the sec-gen title.

Calling her new publish an honour, Ms Poa mentioned final month that she hopes that her instance will encourage extra girls to take an curiosity in politics and step ahead to make a distinction.

Certainly, the brand new PSP chief serves as an inspiration for aspiring feminine leaders and people searching for to contribute to the political panorama. By breaking the gender barrier as the primary feminine political get together chief in Singapore, Ms Poa units a precedent for ladies to actively take part and lead within the political sphere.