Kindness movement chief William Wan up for NMP post

SINGAPORE — The general secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement, Dr William Wan, is in the running for the post of Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).

He told Channel NewsAsia that his nomination papers were submitted today (May 14)

Dr Wan has been fronting Singapore’s kindness movement for the past three years. The 67-year-old is also a winner of the Active Ager Award (Council of the Third Age) 2011.

Prior to taking on the role as general secretary of the Kindness Movement, he was practising law.

He said he would like to promote Singapore as a gracious society, champion the causes of ex-offenders and raise issues related to the elderly.

Dr Wan is part of at least six new possible contenders for the NMP post.

A Special Select Committee will consider the nominations and then submit the names to President Tony Tan Keng Yam for appointment.

Eligible Singaporeans include those who have rendered distinguished public service, brought honour to the nation or have distinguished themselves in various fields or sectors. The sectors include business, labour movement, social service, civic groups and sports.

The closing date for nomination is May 20, at 4.30pm.

The Singapore Constitution provides for the appointment of up to nine NMPs with the aim of ensuring a wider representation of community views in Parliament. An NMP serves a term of two-and-a-half years and reappointment is allowed.

Of the current batch of nine NMPs, only two — Mr R Dhinakaran and Associate Professor Eugene Tan — are seeking reappointment. CHANNEL NEWSASIA