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Straits Times
30-04-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
GE2025: WP's Michael Thng wants to focus on Singapore's future in final days of campaign
Workers' Party candidate Michael Thng said he hopes voters can look at the need for a more diverse Parliament. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN GE2025: WP's Michael Thng wants to focus on Singapore's future in final days of campaign Follow our live coverage here. SINGAPORE - Candidates from various political parties may be throwing snipes and jabs over the last few days of the hustings, but WP candidate Michael Thng remains steadfast in wanting to focus on one thing – what he believes Singapore can be. At times, there may be a need to call attention to missteps or issues in the past, he said. But in his view, the coming general election is about the 'system we want to build for Singapore, going forward'. The 37-year-old said his two speeches so far – his maiden rally speech at Temasek Junior College on April 26, and his appearance at MediaCorp's roundtable discussion alongside candidates from four other parties the next day – have focused on the same issue. 'I think Singaporeans want to know where we are headed, and want to know why (the) Workers' Party is part of that journey, and that is what I am going to focus on,' he said. Mr Thng's message to voters is simple – that policies will go through more scrutiny and deliberation with 'more balance in Parliament'. 'It needs to happen with a different party as part of that process, not with a reliance on an 'ownself check ownself' kind of mechanism, which we have seen has gaps. That is what I hope the electorate can focus on,' he said. Speaking to The Straits Times at a void deck in Tampines Street 91 on April 30, the chief operating officer and co-founder of tech start-up Showdrop was all smiles, fresh off a series of home visits in the vicinity. Throughout the interview, passers-by approached to shake the political newcomer's hand and wish him luck. While Mr Thng may be new to WP's team of candidates contesting Tampines GRC, he has volunteered with the opposition party since 2011. Tampines is touted as one of the most hotly contested constituencies, with four parties – the PAP, WP, National Solidarity Party (NSP) and People's Power Party (PPP) – vying for it. Mr Thng said he was tapped to help out with the party's outreach there in the lead-up to the polls. The WP has been walking the ground in Tampines GRC since at least 2016, but did not contest it in the 2020 General Election. Mr Michael Thng interacting with residents at 915 Tampines Street 91 on April 30. ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN Having had time to familiarise himself with the area, Mr Thng said he has developed a lot of affinity for it, with the sense of community being one example he brought up. As residents in the area come from all walks of life, Mr Thng said his approach to people is to 'adopt a listening posture' when seeking to understand them. Asked how he relates to people who may have different circumstances in life, he said: 'No single individual will have the full spectrum of experiences... I think as long as we develop this listening posture, we will be able to at least empathise and have that curiosity to really understand what is going on, and then (have a) desire to fix it.' On the competition, he said his team has bumped into the PAP team almost every other day, and their interactions are cordial. He recounted an incident that took place earlier that morning, when he saw Mr Baey Yam Keng, who checked in with the WP team to find out how they were doing. An elderly resident that Mr Thng was speaking to then quipped that 'you are all so friendly', he said with a laugh. 'We were joking (that) it shouldn't be war right? That is basically the way in which we interact with them (other parties). It is professional, it is cordial.' He added that his team has bumped into the NSP candidates once or twice during campaigning, but has yet to run into the PPP team. Mr Thng was quick to dismiss the idea that the contest for Tampines GRC is between WP's Mr Faisal Manap and the PAP's Mr Masagos Zulkifli. Echoing what Mr Faisal had said in an interview on April 28, he said that it was a competition between both teams. Besides Mr Faisal, the incumbent MP for Aljunied GRC, and Mr Thng, the WP team also features Mr Jimmy Tan, the co-founder of industrial equipment supply firm Immanuel Engineering; Institute of Mental Health senior principal clinical psychologist Ong Lue Ping; and former diplomat Eileen Chong, who now works at Singapore-based charity Asia Philanthropy Circle. Mr Thng said: 'It is important that we look at the team as a whole, because I think particularly for us, we each bring a very unique, very different perspective. 'I hope folks will recognise that and... think that it is worth voting for.' Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Business Times
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
GE2025: Once wary of being spotted as a Workers' Party volunteer, Tampines GRC candidate Michael Thng now champions political diversity
[SINGAPORE] When Michael Thng began volunteering with the Workers' Party (WP) in 2011, he was so wary of being identified that he instinctively avoided cameras, afraid of being seen in a 'blue shirt'. Fourteen years later, he wears the shirt proudly as part of WP's team for one of the most closely watched contests of General Election 2025. The 37 year old is part of WP's slate for Tampines GRC , which faces the People's Action Party (PAP), National Solidarity Party and People's Power Party in GE2025's only four-way contest. In the 2000s and early 2010s, when Thng was growing up, the political climate felt different – with a sense that supporting the opposition could have consequences, he told The Business Times in an interview on Apr 22. 'I think I was very much shaped by (this) memory,' said the chief operating officer and co-founder of tech startup Showdrop. But his mindset shifted during the 2011 watershed election when the WP won Aljunied GRC, marking the first time an opposition party took a Group Representation Constituency from the PAP. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up 'That was kind of a pinpoint moment,' said Thng, crediting it with paving the way for more WP supporters – including himself – to step forward and contribute to the party. After years of volunteering, he took the plunge to run in this election 'in no small part' thanks to encouragement from Sengkang GRC MP He Ting Ru, with whom he had worked on grassroots and policy efforts. She helped demystify what being a Member of Parliament (MP) entails, turning what once felt like an 'amorphous concept' into something more tangible, he said. 'All I knew before this was that you go to Parliament, stand there, and talk about things.' Now, having seen the role up close, he understands that it involves much more – from managing town council matters to organising events and gathering feedback from residents. If elected, he added, he will prioritise his responsibilities as an MP over his current role at Showdrop. Political curiosity Even before GE2011, Thng had had an interest in politics. He first stepped into Parliament in his early 20s, not as an aspiring politician but as a curious observer in the public gallery, eager to understand the full picture behind policy debates. 'I always had an interest and a curiosity around policymaking… there was no other way I could watch an unedited version of what happened (then).' His interest in policymaking led him to pursue a Master in Public Policy at Harvard University after his undergraduate studies. Now, he hopes to combine that policy grounding with his real-world experience – including as a former consultant at Boston Consulting Group – to push for change. Pushing for clarity Echoing the views of fellow WP newcomer and startup founder Kenneth Tiong , Thng said his startup experience has shaped his understanding of entrepreneurs' challenges and the need for stronger early-stage support. Although Singapore offers substantial support for businesses, early-stage startups often fall through the cracks, with help typically available only after a company has gained traction. 'I think there may be a little bit of a gap for companies in the early stage that need that leg up to get to the next, so I think there's an opportunity there to expand support,' he said. Beyond the startup ecosystem, one employment-related policy he would like to improve is the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) scheme. Introduced in 2007, WIS helps lower-income workers save for retirement by topping up their salaries. Thng supports its intent, but highlighted one flaw: The scheme is for workers earning no more than S$3,000 in gross monthly income – including overtime pay. This, he said, creates a 'weird dynamic' where working overtime could push someone above the threshold and disqualify them from support. While this issue has been raised before, the government has been hesitant in addressing it, and Thng hopes to push for more clarity. On the social front, Thng hopes to champion causes such as smaller classes in schools and letting younger singles access public housing. Both are among the 125 policy proposals in the WP manifesto . Diversity is better for Parliament Bringing a private-sector lens to political contestation, Thng likened dominant parties to dominant companies – both risk becoming resistant to change. When one party controls the political landscape, there tends to be a 'flight to safety' among its members, with a preference for stability over change, he said. This can stifle innovation within the party, with a focus on preserving the status quo rather than exploring new ideas. 'I believe that if you have a system where there's a little bit more dynamics in the way in which we debate… policy gets better and more people get considered in the process.' Nor should people fear that a multi-party Parliament is worse for Singaporeans. Thng stressed that as long as a party holds more than half the seats, it can still pass regular laws. It is only in the case of constitutional amendments that a two-thirds supermajority is needed. Therefore, even in a more diverse Parliament, governance can still function effectively – as long as a party holds a working majority, he said. As for what impact the WP has made in Parliament, Thng pointed to PAP policies that are aligned with what the WP has long advocated. These include the Jobseeker Support Scheme for the unemployed, and the Local Qualifying Salary framework that, in effect, sets a minimum wage for employers of foreign workers. The goal of opposition parties is not always to have their proposals adopted wholesale, but to help shape policy outcomes through debate and advocacy, he added. '(It) isn't about getting exactly what I want every single time,' he said. 'It's about putting forward a perspective – and if the other side comes closer to it, and people benefit as a result, then I think that's (an) impact.' The key question is not whether there are more parties in Parliament, but whether they act in good faith, he said. 'So long as every party that's participating in democracy is doing it with the right intentions and is doing it with citizenry and with the country in mind… that kind of consensus building is a net positive for the country.' For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Independent Singapore
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
He Ting Ru on new WP candidate Michael Thng: About time he #SteppedUp!
SINGAPORE: Over the past few days, The Workers' Party's (WP) He Ting Ru has been hyping the party's new candidates in the run-up to the May 3 polls, and on Apr 21, Michael Thng got his turn. Mr Thng, 37, who was introduced by WP chief Pritam Singh and party chair Sylvia Lim in the final day of candidate introductions on Sunday (Apr 19), has been the recipient of positive buzz, especially since reports have pointed out that he has a master's degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School. While this is his first time as a candidate for Member of Parliament (MP), his history with the WP dates back 15 years, which means he and Ms He started volunteering with the party around the same time. In a social media post, she wrote that when she began with the MP, Mr Thng was one of the first people she met. '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, adding that Mr Thng had gone with her when she contested at Marine Parade for GE2015 and then again at Sengkang for GE2020. Importantly, he has also been helping the WP with policy work for more than 10 years. 'Passionate about improving policies that ensure no one is left behind—such as housing policy for singles and systematic support for single parents—Michael's voice is one Singapore needs in Parliament now,' she wrote. Mr Thng gave the public a glimpse into his journey in a Facebook post on April 19, when he wrote about a moment in 2006 that appeared to have changed his life. He wrote that his worldview shifted when he attended a WP rally, as he saw the faces of attendees showing both hope and hopelessness. 'That moment planted a question I've carried with me ever since: How did we get here, and what kind of Singapore must we build to create a more inclusive future?' he added. In the time that followed, as he volunteered with the WP, he wrote that he 'saw firsthand the real burdens many Singaporeans shoulder—and how too often, these challenges go unanswered. Infinitely solvable problems are held back by blind spots in policymaking that stifle progress. 'We're a generation searching for hope for a different way forward but resigned to the reality we are in. I've felt it too—that quiet acceptance: ' What to do… gahmen like that lor. '' Singapore's society is becoming more complex, with people's needs becoming more urgent, which is the reason for more participation in Parliament. 'But that won't happen if 30–40% of Singaporeans who vote opposition continue to be represented by just 5–10% of seats in Parliament. It's not sustainable. Participation must be inspired, not simply required. That's why I'm stepping up,' he added. Mr Thng wrote that he wants to help build a Parliament that is more reflective of the diversity of thought in Singapore and where different policy approaches are valued and not just tolerated, and 'where every Singaporean feels they belong in the conversation—and are part of shaping it.' He added that Singapore has already seen the effect of 'meaningful WP representation,' which includes, 'building momentum for greater housing access for singles, growing support and recognition for single mothers, and germinating the idea of unemployment insurance that has recently come alive in the form of the JobSeeker Support Scheme—just to name a few.' 'Representation isn't just symbolic—it does shape outcomes,' Mr Thng wrote, inviting Singaporeans to share their thoughts and tell me what matters to them. 'I'll be better for it—and so will Singapore.' /TISG Read also: 'Solid team': Singaporeans impressed with calibre of WP's new candidates for GE2025
CNA
21-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: WP new face Michael Thng wants to prove he's more than just 'the Harvard grad'
One area he is particularly keen on pursuing, if elected, is helping future generations of youth gain what he calls 'an earlier footing in life'. This includes earlier access to housing, which is in line with WP's manifesto. Current guidelines by the housing authority state that singles must at least 35 years old in order to get a new Housing and Development Board flat. Mr Thng, who is single, said that his goal is to allow singles as young as 28 to apply for Build-To-Order flats and to increase rental options for them in both the public and private property markets. As for what he sees his strengths to be as a parliamentarian, it is digging into the details of policies to ensure that they are written to encompass the full spectrum of the problem at hand. 'I know it's not sexy. It's not what you win elections on, but that's really what the government is about. It is really what writing effective, good policy is about.' The torrential rain had subsided by that point of the interview and we found ourselves walking along the coast chatting about more lighthearted matters. He enjoys disco-pop music, from Australian electropop group Parcels to German synth-pop artiste Roosevelt. He is particularly a fan of Singapore singer-songwriter Gentle Bones. When he can, he binges on true-crime documentaries. The simultaneous bustle and serenity of East Coast Park fills him with nostalgia, though he now lives with his parents in the western part of Singapore. The conversation inevitably went back to politics, a subject he did not need much prompting to talk about enthusiastically. I remarked that it seemed natural for him to be in this position, standing for election in a few days, given his relevant professional experiences and gift of the gab. Mr Thng responded with a laugh and said without missing a beat: 'I have many friends who did debates, startups and consulting but are not in politics, so I don't know if that's really an argument for anything." He added: "In Singapore, politics is not just about having an experience 'set' that makes it natural for you, particularly on this side of the aisle. 'You really have to be guided by some kind of conviction … That's important to me. 'I don't want to look back on my life and think about what if I never applied myself in that way, that I wasn't able to serve Singapore in my full capacity.'
