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Lawyer wants young S’poreans to stand up and be heard

SINGAPORE — Believing that Singaporeans are not just “numbers on a spreadsheet”, but citizens who should participate in determining the future of Singapore,Ms He Ting Ru decided to stand as a candidate to offer an alternative voice in Parliament.

Ms He Ting Ru. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

Ms He Ting Ru. Photo: Wee Teck Hian

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SINGAPORE — Believing that Singaporeans are not just “numbers on a spreadsheet”, but citizens who should participate in determining the future of Singapore, Ms He Ting Ru decided to stand as a candidate to offer an alternative voice in Parliament.

Soft-spoken and articulate, the 32-year-old corporate lawyer, who studied at the University of Cambridge, drew much of the attention yesterday when she was introduced with three other Workers’ Party (WP) candidates. Starting out as a grassroots volunteer in 2011 in the Paya Lebar division, Ms He observed that there is “much room for improvement” in public policies and the policymaking process. Among her concerns are the pressures the younger generation faces, such as the cost of raising a family or caring for their elderly parents, and access to opportunities regardless of family background.

Ms He, who has been spotted working the ground in Marine Parade GRC, also urged young Singaporeans to stand up for their beliefs and play a part in shaping the country’s future, and said there was a need to find more ways to help young people contribute more in shaping policies. “I do not think we should rely solely on the few natural aristocrats to do so,” said Ms He.

Last month, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had spoken of the need for a “certain natural aristocracy” who have earned the respect of others in society at an Institute of Policy Studies forum.

Through her “wealth of experience” from working in Europe and volunteering both locally and overseas, Ms He said she hopes to be able to contribute towards the policymaking process in Parliament. Some of her friends were “curious” of her decision to enter politics, while people she has not been in contact with for years have sent her messages after learning she was running. Not everyone agrees with her choice to join the WP, but there has been respect and support for her beliefs, said Ms He.

She added that her family will be helping her care for her eight cats during the busy election period. “But I actually make an effort to go home and cuddle them,” quipped Ms He. NG JING YNG

He Ting Ru, 32

Lawyer and head of legal at a listed company

FACT FILE:

• Secretary of WP Youth Wing, and oversees outreach efforts

• Studied at CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School and graduated with a degree in Natural Sciences from the University of Cambridge.

• Read law in London and practised law in London and Frankfurt

• Inspired to join politics by her father who told her not to be another complaining voice

• Started volunteering with the WP after the 2011 General Election in Aljunied candidate Chen Show Mao’s Meet-the-People sessions

• Single

She said: “I also believe Singaporeans are not numbers on a spreadsheet. Singaporeans want to participate in determining the future of our country.”

WARD: To be announced

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