Mainstream media speculates that SAF scholar and ex-pilot could be fielded as PAP candidate in next GE

In an article published on Monday (11 Mar), Lianhe Zaobao speculated that Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) scholar and ex-helicopter pilot Poh Li San could be fielded as a ruling party candidate in the next General Election.

Owned by Singapore Press Holdings, Lianhe Zaobao is the largest Chinese-language newspaper in Singapore.

Highlighting Ms Poh’s experience as a grassroots leader and the fact that she became the Vice-Chairman of the PAP Sembawang branch just a few months ago, in November 2018, the Chinese daily speculated that she could be one of the fresh candidates to contest the next election under the PAP ticket.

The publication also noted that two months after she was appointed Vice-Chairman of the PAP Sembawang branch, Ms Poh appeared in Facebook photos shared by Sembawang GRC MPs Khaw Boon Wan and Amrin Amin.

Besides her presence at community events with the Sembawang GRC MPs, Ms Poh also served as the chief organiser for Sembawang GRC’s International Women’s Day celebrations. Ms Poh’s name also appeared in the publicity materials promoting the Merdeka Pioneer Package to residents.

When the publication asked her whether she would contest the next General Election, which could be held as early as this year, Ms Poh replied: “(If) given a chance to serve as MP, I will give my best!

Ms Poh is an SAF scholar who studied at the University of Illinois and began her career with the RSAF as a helicopter pilot around 1999. She rose in rank within the SAF and the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) and became an Assistant Director in MINDEF in 2003.

In two years, she was promoted to become the Flight Commander of 125 Squadron, in-charge of search and rescue. A year later, in 2006, she was appointed as Aide-de-Camp to then-President S. R. Nathan and oversaw the planning and organisation of the President’s daily meetings as well as grassroots, nation-level and overseas state-level events.

After a 16-year career in the RSAF, Ms Poh left the forces in 2010 and joined Changi Airport Group as Vice President.

She was first given the responsibility of handling airport operations for the Budget Terminal, before she went on to plan and develop Terminal 4. She is presently involved in the planning and development for Terminal 5.