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SINGAPORE: The National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) and a group of environmental activists have presented their elections for nominated members of parliament (NMP).
On Friday (November 20), the union announced Mr. Abdul Samad Abdul Wahab, Vice President of NTUC, as their nomination.
READ: Public Invited to Submit Names of Nominated Members of Parliament
The 48-year-old is also general secretary of the Union of Energy and Gas Employees (UPAGE).
According to NTUC, Mr. Samad played a pivotal role in the formation of the Market Development and Resilience Scheme, which was launched by the Energy Market Authority, to secure bonuses, raises, and training funds for industry workers.
He was also instrumental in setting up the company’s training committees with employers to implement training plans for workers in the energy and gas industry, the union said in the press release.
Labor boss Ng Chee Meng said in a Facebook post that Samad “always tries his best to do what is best for his co-workers, regardless of the challenges.”
“You will be able to draw on more than a decade of experience as a () trade unionist to shape policies that will benefit workers and Singaporeans in general,” added Ng.
Mr Samad said that if he were appointed NMP, he would push for changes and improvements “based on the real needs of the workers on the ground”, such as “strengthening the core of Singapore”.
“With the pandemic affecting lives and livelihoods, I would also focus on providing much needed help to our workers, especially the middle-income sandwich group, whether it be in areas of employment, training or dealing with the cost of living,” he said .
RESEARCH SCIENTIST APPOINTED BY ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVISTS
In a Facebook post on Thursday, environmental activists announced research scientist Dr. Andie Ang as their choice for NMP.
Dr. Ang obtained 49.7 percent of the votes that were cast after a city council, beating two other candidates, Vandana Khialani and Nor Lastrina Hamid.
READ: For nominated members of Parliament, it’s not just about speaking in Parliament
Currently a Research Scientist for the Singapore Wildlife Reserves Conservation Fund, Dr. Ang is also President of the Jane Goodall Institute (Singapore).
“I value this as an opportunity to facilitate a greater understanding of environmental issues to a wider audience, to highlight the importance of protecting our biodiversity and natural heritage, and to participate in the decision-making process to drive positive change,” he said Dr. Ang.
According to her official website, Dr. Ang has a Ph.D. in biological anthropology from the University of Colorado Boulder.
She also received the 2019 Conservation Award from the American Society of Primatologists and, in the same year, the Great Women of Our Time for Science and Technology Award from Women’s Weekly magazine.
NMPs are appointed by the President for a two-and-a-half-year term on the recommendation of an eight-member Special Select Committee of Parliament chaired by President Tan Chuan-Jin.
The deadline for submission of nominations is November 23 at 4.30 pm
