Cheng Li Hui: Quietly getting things done

SINGAPORE — A quiet individual who gets things done – that was how Tampines GRC Member of Parliament Mah Bow Tan described the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) newcomer Cheng Li Hui, who today (Aug 22) appeared to be still easing into her role in in the media spotlight.

“She’s also very quiet that sometimes people don’t know that things get done. I would say she’s a ‘talk less, do more’ type, but things get done,” said Mr Mah at the unveiling of PAP’s team for Tampines GRC at the impending General Election.

The deputy chief executive of engineering firm Hai Leck Holdings will be replacing Mr Mah in the Tampines East ward as he makes his exit from politics.

Her reserved demeanour belies the fact that she has 12 years of grassroots experience, beginning in Bukit Panjang.

Acknowledging she was still getting used to fielding questions from the media, Ms Cheng, when asked if she would find public speaking challenging, said it is a learning process, but she has no difficulty communicating with her constituents. She added later that she is “very comfortable” interacting, listening and understanding residents’ needs.

During the press conference, the 39-year-old recalled an incident when she was younger, where her grandmother had made sure she could vote on Polling Day because she felt the Government had “taken care” of Singaporeans.

This made her more aware of the correlation between the Government and Singapore’s development. “It took someone senior like grandma to remind me the importance of the Government and in some ways, that was the seed that got me to give back,” she added.

She started volunteering with the Bukit Panjang constituency 12 years ago, helping out with the Bukit Panjang PAP branch’s Meet-the-People sessions.

Early this year, she started helping out in Tampines East where she currently holds the vice-chair position of the Tampines East Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Tampines East Community Club Management Committee.

Ms Cheng hopes to advocate for active ageing and providing opportunities for seniors to continue contributing to the society or pursue new interests. “I understand that for some elderly, this period can be a time of anxiety and there are ways that we can support them with healthcare and social and emotional needs,” she added.

Asked what sparked her interest in active ageing issues, Ms Cheng said she has always been close to the elderly, be it her own grandparents or while volunteering with the seniors.

“I’ve been interacting with (seniors) for quite a while, so it has given me insights and empathy towards their feelings and I would like to actually continue on that,” she added.

Cheng Li Hui, 39

Deputy chief executive of Hai Leck Holdings

FACT FILE:

- Councillor in the Northwest CDC since 2004 and was a member of the National University Hospital Medifund Committee from 2007

- Currently the vice-chairperson of the Tampines East Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Tampines East Community Club Management Committee

- Worked with MPs Teo Ho Pin in Bukit Panjang, Ms Ellen Lee in Woodlands in 2013 and with Mr Vikram Nair in Admiralty in 2014.

- Awarded public service medal in 2013 as well as the Long Service Award from the People’s Association earlier this year.

SHE SAID:

“If we can enable society to provide opportunities to our retirees, to contribute as they can, this will give them meaning and will ultimately benefit everyone. This is something I hope to continue to promote and drive.”

WARD:

Tampines GRC