SINGAPORE - The WP introduced three more candidates it plans to field at the polls, including two lawyers and a digital strategist in the financial services and payment sector.
The press briefing, the third in as many days, was held on April 19 at the opposition party’s headquarters in Geylang, ahead of the election, which will take place on May 3.
The WP did not indicate which constituencies the candidates will be fielded in. They are:
- Mr Harpreet Singh Nehal, 59, managing partner at law firm Audent Chambers and senior counsel.
- Mr Sufyan Mikhail Putra Mohd Kamil, 33, former associate director at Abdul Rahman Law Corporation, who stepped down to contest the general election.
- Mr Jasper Kuan Hon Whye, 46, Asia-Pacific product lead for disputes solutions at Visa Worldwide.
The three candidates took questions from reporters in a panel that included WP secretary-general Pritam Singh and WP chairwoman Sylvia Lim.
Nomination Day is on April 23, and the WP is expected to introduce more candidates in the following days.
Over the last three days, the WP has introduced 11 candidates, bringing the tally of WP members taking part in the election to 19 so far, after including incumbent MPs from Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and the Hougang single seat.
The Straits Times expects the WP to contest about 31 out of 97 parliamentary seats this election.
1. Harpreet Singh Nehal, 59
The senior counsel has had a storied legal career, and has been touted as one of the WP’s “star catches”.
His journey with the opposition party began some time in 2021, when he helped them with Meet-the-People Sessions, before he took on a more active role since August 2023.
Asked if there was any stigma linked to being fielded as an opposition candidate, Mr Harpreet Singh said it was a “badge of honour”.
Speaking about why he decided to enter politics, he said: “Our country is at a turning point, and we need every Singaporean to step forward and speak up about the issues that matter.
“The future doesn’t write itself. We shape it, you and I.”
Affordability, education and fairer politics are three policy areas he is keen to focus on, he said, which are also areas the WP has included in its manifesto.
Mr Harpreet Singh saidthat to ensure fairer politics, the arts community, civil society and critics need to be treated with respect, not suspicion.
He cited a string of incidents, such as the National Arts Council withdrawing funding for award-winning book The Art Of Charlie Chan Hock Chye because it “potentially undermined the authority or legitimacy” of the Government.
He said: “Let’s not leave our citizens with the distinct impression that some of our brightest minds in this country are denied tenure because they dared to speak truth to power.”
Describing the current system as “stagnation”, he said the WP is committed to keeping all the good parts about Singapore, while bringing about changes that will help the country better meet future challenges.
Asked how he hoped to engage residents, Mr Harpreet Singh, who has been walking the ground about three times a week, said he would give all of his time to residents because he had the privilege to do so, unlike other new candidates.
He said: “So, if you elect me and my team, wherever we go... you will have me practically in your face all the time. And the advantage is, you have the calibre of people in my team without having to pay us ministerial salaries.”
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2. Sufyan Mikhail Putra Mohd Kamil, 33
A former associate director at Abdul Rahman Law Corporation, which provides syariah-compliant legal services, Mr Sufyan left the firm due to its non-partisan policy so that he could contest the general election.
Ms Lim said he is applying to start his own law firm, with WP chief Pritam Singh making a veiled reference to Mr Sufyan’s circumstances when fielding questions from the media.
“If you ask me, does a person need to step down from a law firm? That’s a little problematic to me,” he said, adding that those running for the opposition camp should step down onlyif the job requirements are incredibly unique, or being affiliated with said firm would cause issues.
A volunteer with the party since 2024, Mr Sufyan has been helping out at incumbent Aljunied GRC MP Faisal Manap’s Meet-the-People Sessions as a case writer, and is part of the party’s policy team.
He said he joined the opposition party because he believes in its core mission to be a “credible and rational alternative for Singaporeans”.
He added: “I am stepping up in these elections because I believe that our collective endeavour to build a caring, just and more equitable society is truly greater than the sum of our parts.”
In the course of his work, he has had to deal with property disputes, and he has spoken to residents at Meet-the-People Sessions. He will draw on his experience, he said, and address issues like relieving cost pressures and housing policies.
He added that as a minority candidate, he would like to be a voice for those from minority communities.
3. Jasper Kuan Hon Whye, 46
A former Catholic High School teacher, Mr Kuan is the Asia-Pacific product lead for disputes solutions at payments firm Visa Worldwide.
He has led many projects familiar to Singaporeans in the course of his career in finance, including multi-currency mobile wallet YouTrip’s tie-up with EZ-Link, and was part of the team working on the adoption of bank cards for public transport.
Mr Kuan, who has lived in Hougang for a decade, said he has always been exposed to the WP, and was inspired to join after reading sociologist Teo You Yenn’s book, This Is What Inequality Looks Like.
A section in the book titled “I want my children better than me” left an impression on him, he said.
Mr Kuan, who has three young children, said: “My family is my foundation, my inspiration and my motivation. While the idea of being better changes over time, Singaporean parents will always want the best for their children.”
He added that he will speak up on educational issues, which are close to his heart, both as a former teacher and a parent.
A key concern, for instance, is the over-reliance on tuition, he said. “I want to push for an education system that is more forward-looking, less stressful and more inclusive.”
Mr Kuan also spoke about the struggles of raising children in Singapore’s expensive environment, and pledged to champion the need for practical and fair policies that support families and protect breadwinners.
He said: “It is vital, hugely vital, that the Government continues to improve our lives and create opportunities for Singaporeans.”
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