14/03/2022
12 years ago, I was a newly qualified insurance agent, fresh from completing my 2 years of National Service. One of my first clients I had the privilege to do business with was a Lawyer from Norton Rose. That was in end 2010. I was introduced to him at a temple dinner at Chong Pang, Yishun.
The doctor who introduced me told me he's going to be a future MP (Member of Parliament). I didn't think too much about it. But I thought it would be nice if I can get a lawyer as a client. I took his card, and called him the next few days after the dinner. With sheer dumb luck, I made him a client.
Turns out, he is indeed a future MP. He would go on to be field in GE2011 as a new candidate for the People's Action Party (PAP).
I knew nothing about politics then. But when the offer came for me to help him out at GE2011, I jumped at the opportunity. I was young, hungry, broke, and honestly, had a lot of free time on my hand. I wasn't seeing many clients having just started out.
For 9 days, I diligently turned up at the PAP Branch every morning to help out, and would not go home until late at night. I made myself as useful as I could, to anyone who would use my energy or ideas (mostly energy). I made many friends, got to know a whole new world of people, and would eventually later become a PAP member myself.
I continued my involvement the last 10 years and more, and learned a great deal about Singapore politics.
When the time came for me to evaluate my life last year, I decided that I want to become quite serious about starting an interview podcast. And interviewing politicians is something I would love to do. However, not just PAP politicians. I aspire to interview politicians across the political spectrum.
I thought to myself that my affiliation and membership with the PAP will be potentially sensitive and cumbersome. The last thing I want is to have to seek approval or permission for any interviews I am planning to produce.
With that in mind, I decided to terminate my membership with the PAP. My request was accepted by Party HQ in April 2021.
The reason I am writing about this is, tomorrow, I release my interview with opposition politician, Mr. Desmond Lim Bak Chuan, President of the Singapore Democratic Alliance. It's a nearly 2 hours long interview where we discussed a wide range of topics.
I just wanted to declare and disclose my little piece of history before it's published, just in case, it may be a point of interest for anyone.
The full interview will drop tomorrow at 2pm.