SINGAPORE: Cheryl Chan, former East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) Member of Parliament (MP), made public her desire to step down from her position and stay away from politics to spend more time with her family. She made the announcement on Apr 21 through a Facebook post. Chan admitted that it was a difficult decision to make, and she made the choice only after exhaustive reflection.
Thankful for the chance to serve
A recent article published by Mothership quoted her as saying, “It had been challenging since my father was ill in 2022. After his passing a year ago, I decided to give time to my family,” Chan confided.
Chan also articulated her deepest gratitude to the residents and expressed indebtedness to those who have been her constituents since 2015, when she was elected as a Member of Parliament.
Likewise, Chan stated how thankful she was to the inhabitants of Fengshan and East Coast, who gave her the opportunity to serve. “Your care and concern, suggestions, and feedback made possible what we have in the community today. You gave me the chance to raise topics of concern in Parliament, through various feedback channels to the Government, and constantly made me think of what can be improved.”
Additionally, she also articulated her appreciation to her helpers, civic associates, collaborators, and contributors for making a difference in tasks and endeavors that she thought she could not do as an individual.
She voiced out her earnest THANK YOU to all those who have been on the political journey with her. “Your care, love, and support got me going in the toughest time. These shared moments and thoughts will always stay with me. Fengshan will always be home to me and have that special place in my heart.”
Cheryl Chan, group chief strategy and sustainability officer at ST Engineering, was positioned in Fengshan Single Member Constituency (SMC) when she entered the political realm in 2015.
At that time, she earned the position, garnering 57.5% of the vote.
In the 2020 General Election, Fengshan SMC was incorporated into East Coast GRC.
The PAP East Coast team, which was comprised of DPM Heng Swee Keat, Tan Kiat How, Jessica Tan, Maliki Osman, and Chan, won with 53.39% of the votes.
In the 2025 GE, it is not definite yet on who the PAP will be picking up to stand in the East Coast GRC.
On Apr 16, the PAP showed a website that displayed what has been accomplished on the East Coast, what resident Singaporeans can expect, and what needs to be worked on for the benefit of the city-state.
SINGAPORE: In a raw and emotional post, a 23-year-old woman took to social media on Monday (Apr 21) to reveal how her father’s gambling addiction has deeply fractured her home life. She alleged that her 64-year-old father becomes violent and verbally abusive, while her mother, rather than confronting the issue, enables his behaviour by working to pay off his debts and keeping his addiction hidden from relatives.
“My dad has a gambling addiction, and it’s really taking a toll on my mental health,” the post read. “He is into horse betting and will watch races around the clock (he used to work as a private hirer but has since reduced his shifts significantly/sometimes none at all within a week). I know money is involved as he would always make calls out or receive incoming calls where he verbally bets the amount of money.”
Despite trying to talk to him about his vice, the young woman shared that such efforts are to no avail. “Unfortunately for me, that amounted to suicide threats and the usual ‘I’m going to die soon, I can do whatever I want’,” she said, adding that he has anger management issues as well as abusive or violent tendencies when he is mad. “He has broken objects around the house before, but never really hit us, I guess,” she admitted. “I don’t see myself getting through to him.”
To make matters worse, she divulged that her mother exhibits enabler qualities, such as covering for her father specifically by working to pay off what he owes, making excuses for him, and even keeping his gambling problems from relatives. “My mum claims to find him pitiful,” she added.
On the daughter’s part, she shared that the dynamics at home have made her repulsive to the thought of coming home at the end of the day. “I would dread going home every day, coming back to him hunched in front of his laptop, chain smoking/vaping, with his Facebook/douyin videos on max volume,” she said.
A handful of online users identified with the post and shared insights with the writer. While the negative effects of gambling came up as a common topic in the comments, another thing some people zeroed in on was how the woman’s mother was enabling her father’s gambling addiction.
“Your mom is the enabler, which is the only reason why he has been kept from falling to true rock bottom,” said one. “The only way for a gambling addict to get help is if they see themselves as the problem, but unfortunately, people like your father have convinced themselves that they aren’t the problem, and in fact, this is how he self-harms, whether he realises it. My only advice is that all you can do is mitigate damage and respond accordingly.”
A handful of others encouraged the writer to prioritise her own well-being.
According to rehab service provider The Cabin, gambling addiction can place an especially heavy toll on family relationships, often leading to physical and mental health problems, financial instability, and emotional distress.
The stress caused by gambling problems can put a strain on members of a family, specifically targeting their mental health. From depression to anxiety, such strains can also cause other issues, such as poor sleep and even bowel disorders. Furthermore, gambling can put a significant strain on a family’s finances.
SINGAPORE: The ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) candidates for Nee Soon Group Representation Constituency (GRC) were announced on Monday (Apr 21). While Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam will stay on to anchor the PAP team at Nee Soon, the other four incumbents are stepping down.
“This is a, I would say, very balanced, but very young, youthful slate—except for me— because there is a mix of skills and talents: two potential office holders who can perform in helping govern the country as a whole, and who also have good service experience, two candidates with a lot of grassroots experience,” CNA quoted Mr Shanmugam as saying on Apr 21.
He added that Goh Hanyan, a former Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) director, and Syed Harun Alhabsyi, a former Nominated Member of Parliament (MP), could even hold political office.
However, some commenters online expressed regret that Louis Ng, who had represented the Nee Soon East ward in Parliament since 2015, may not be fielded as a candidate in the May 3 polls.
On Apr 13, Mr Ng, who gained popularity as an animal rights activist before joining the political arena, posted a “Parliament Report Card” over social media. He wrote that it had been a privilege to serve as an MP and thanked voters for having given him the “opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.”
While he pledged to “continue to fight hard to make Singapore a better place for all,” he did not say whether he would contest again, which fueled speculation that he is stepping down for good. Mr Ng has not been included in any of the PAP’s teams or candidate announcements thus far.
He has continued to post concerning initiatives at Nee Soon East, including a community playground and farm; however, commenters have been asking whether he is retiring as MP. Mr Ng has not responded.
Others have appealed for him to contest again.
“Please, we need more MPs like you,” one wrote.
“Mr Ng, please don’t retire from politics. Singapore’s Parliament needs MPs like you who care for the people,” commented another.
“MP Louis… please continue to serve Yishun residents!” added one.
“Hi Louis, I read from the Chinese paper that you will not be continuing to contest in the upcoming GE. If it is true, it is really a pity, as you are a 101% good MP who cares for the well-being of your residents in your zone. Thanks a lot for helping to speak up for the foreign workers’ welfare and also on behalf of us parents, who definitely need more support for our child,” wrote a Facebook user.
One wrote, “YOU BETTER COME BACK TO RUN FOR MP (kidding, but seriously!)”
Others pointed out that nothing is final until Nomination Day, encouraging others not to give up on the hope of seeing Mr Ng contest again.
Among the PAP backbenchers, Mr Ng raised the most questions in Parliament by a wide margin. He is well-respected and liked by many, and when he published his “Report Card,” he was thanked by prominent academic Walid J Abdullah for his service. Prof Walid called him “One of the best backbenchers in parliamentary history!”
A Reddit user called Mr Ng “a real representative” for having raised issues important to many Singaporeans, not only his constituents.
“And he made change accessible to the common man, as people can be invited to collaborate with him, at least on his PMQs (Prime Minister’s Questions) on certain issues they were worried about. No Meet the People needed, you could just email him and he would reply.
“It’s a shame because I saw someone who really understood the ground, social issues, and had a steady stream of volunteers and ideas on how to improve.” /TISG
SINGAPORE: After four days straight of introducing new candidates for The Workers’ Party (WP) for the May 3 polls, WP chair Sylvia Lim took a break and had lunch with her husband, former national footballer Quah Kim Song, at Kovan Market & Food Centre.
“Candidate intro press conferences done. Catching up with my designated driver over kway chap. #Kovan209,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
Ms Lim, 60, was still in her WP colors, wearing a light blue blouse over black pants, while Mr Quah, 72, was dressed somewhat more casually. Both were wearing big smiles, however.
From Apr 17 to 20, the WP introduced 14 first-timer candidates in four press conferences: Abdul Muhaimin, Alexis Dang, Alia Mattar, Andre Low, Eileen Chong, Harpreet Singh, Jackson Au, Jasper Kuan, Jimmy Tan, Kenneth Tiong, Michael Thng, Ong Lue Ping, Paris V, and Sufyan Mikhail Putra.
The online response to the candidates has been positive, with many Singaporeans saying they are impressed with their credentials. Among the standouts are Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh, former diplomat Eileen Chong, ex-Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) legal counsel Alia Mattar, former Institute of Mental Health (IMH) director Ong Lue Ping, and Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government graduate Michael Thng.
The new candidates have also walked the ground with seasoned WP Members of Parliament (MPs) and members, who have also posted about their personal experiences with the newbies.
He Ting Ru (Sengkang Group Representation Constituency [GRC]) wrote about Mr Tiong in a social media post over the weekend, saying she was “proud” to see him as part of the WP Aljunied team.
“Over the years, Kenneth and I have worked together on a number of projects.A thoughtful, energetic member of our party, Kenneth is a young father who has had a career in finance and technology.He joins the Aljunied slate with big ideas for the direction of Singapore’s economy, but just as importantly, he listens hard and cares deeply about the community he serves in,” she noted.
On the first day the candidates were introduced, she had this to say about Mr Muhaimin, “I first got to know Min well while he was volunteering with us during the GE2020 campaign, and he impressed us with his maturity, technical knowledge, and reliability. He has been involved in various ground activities through the years, and has been the team lead for #Compassvale division since 2023.”
Louis Chua (Sengkang GRC) wrote about Mr Au, saying that he had hoped to post a photo of them together, but could not find one.
“Not surprising though, as he has always been one who diligently works in the background, preferring to be the one taking the photo than be in the photo, for example!”
Mr Chua also called Mr Au “a key pillar of The WP Media Team. Especially during the period when I was the acting Media Head, it was Jackson who #Step(ped)Up and did much of the heavy lifting, given his expertise in strategic communications. Excited for you my friend!”
As for Ms Sylvia Lim, a number of Instagram users commented on the picture she put up of herself with her “driver,” whom they recalled as their idol many years ago.
“Damn cool u two!” wrote one, while another noted, “You have a cool driver! Wishing you all the best in the GE!” /TISG
SINGAPORE: Red Dot United (RDU) has unveiled its A-team to contest in Nee Soon GRC—a constituency currently held by Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, and long considered one of the ruling party’s strongholds.
In a bold declaration, RDU Secretary-General Ravi Philemon, who will be leading the charge in Nee Soon, described the upcoming clash as the political equivalent of “Liverpool vs Manchester United”—a high-stakes, high-energy battle.
“Everyone in Red Dot United has a role to play,” Ravi said. “But in Nee Soon GRC, we’re fielding formidable players.”
The party made its announcement on Sunday (April 20) at Block 701C Yishun Avenue 5, a symbolic choice located right in the heart of Nee Soon GRC.
So what message does RDU have for the residents of Nee Soon—and who exactly are the candidates in this star-studded lineup set to take on the yet-to-be-announced PAP team?
A war-cry for transparency
In a rousing address that pulled no punches, Red Dot United (RDU) Secretary-General Ravi Philemon delivered what can only be described as a war cry for transparency at the announcement of the party’s candidates for Nee Soon GRC. Framed against the backdrop of growing concerns around government accountability and the future of Singapore’s energy policy, Philemon’s speech was as much a rallying call as it was a candid confession.
“The foundation of Red Dot United’s contest in Nee Soon GRC will be built on honesty,” he began, eyes steady as he addressed both the press and the people. “And I want to speak honestly today—not just to our media friends, but also to the residents of Nee Soon.”
Philemon didn’t shy away from acknowledging the emotional and political cost of contesting against the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), calling the process “never easy.” In a political landscape where criticism of the establishment often comes with personal consequences, his remarks struck a chord.
“When you step out as an opposition against the PAP, there are always costs involved. The cause demands sacrifice, and the risks are real. Even among close friends, supporters, and sometimes even family members, you may face doubts or discouragement. But that is the kind of society we live in.”
Despite the odds, RDU has managed to assemble a star-studded slate of candidates that Philemon believes reflects both moral courage and intellectual rigour, chief among them, two scientists: Dr David and Dr Syed.
Their candidacy is deeply symbolic. RDU’s decision to contest in Nee Soon was galvanised by what the party sees as the government’s quiet persistence in exploring nuclear energy, without sufficient public consultation or transparency.
“We are not saying no to nuclear energy. That’s the difference,” Philemon clarified. “What we’re saying is: Talk to us. Have a conversation. Give us the facts. Convince us.”
His statement underscored a broader critique: that policymaking in Singapore often bypasses the people it affects most. For RDU, this election is about restoring that broken bridge between authority and accountability.
“We stepped forward because we believe Singapore deserves that transparency. That dialogue. That democracy.”
It was a bold message—one not just grounded in rhetoric, but in action. By fielding experts like Dr David and Dr Syed, who are well-versed in the very domains the government is quietly advancing, RDU is making clear they are not here to simply oppose. They’re here to inform, challenge, and propose.
“I’m proud to be joined by ethical professionals—people who care deeply about what’s at stake and who are willing to stand up for the public interest.”
For a party often painted as the underdog, this wasn’t just a speech. It was a statement of intent. A call to Singaporeans that the time for silence has passed. The time for honest conversation has come.
The Scientists, The Strategists, The Servants: Meet Red Dot United’s Nee Soon GRC Team
Dr David Foo: The Chemist with a Conscience
Dr David Foo – Credit: Red Dot United
A research chemist by profession and Chairman of RDU by passion, Dr David Foo brings over three decades of scientific and civic experience to the political table. With a PhD in Chemistry from the University of Idaho and a track record in academia, government, and private enterprise, Dr Foo’s voice adds weight to RDU’s stance on transparency, especially in areas like nuclear energy policy.
“Including fairness as a value in how workers are compensated and how we address retirement adequacy isn’t just about inequality—it’s about resilience.”
He is also the co-founder of the Think Centre and a former GE2015 candidate, remembered for his clear, rational, and no-nonsense communication style. His leadership is driven by a deep belief in policies that empower, uplift, and prepare future generations for the unpredictable tides ahead.
Sharon Lin: The Technologist for the People
A daughter of Yishun and a senior IT consultant with an MBA and a background in cybersecurity and DevOps, Sharon Lin is no stranger to systems, both digital and social. Her campaign centres around one message: technology must serve people, not complicate their lives.
“Good systems serve the people. When they don’t, we must ask why — because the cost of poor governance is paid by ordinary Singaporeans.”
Having grown up in the heartlands and seen her own family grapple with financial uncertainty, Sharon’s approach is grounded in empathy. Whether it’s fixing flawed systems like SimplyGo or calling out inefficiencies in public spending, her mission is clear: build fair, people-first policies that listen.
Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad: The Physicist Who Sees the People
Dr Syed Alwi – Image Credit: Red Dot United
Dr Syed Alwi Ahmad, or simply Dr Alwi, is a theoretical physicist who has traded quantum fields for community fields. With a PhD in Physics from Virginia Tech and publications on black holes and quantum theory, he brings rare intellectual depth to politics.
But it’s not theory that drives him—it’s people.
“To truly understand what people are going through, you need both a microscope and a telescope — to see the fine details of daily struggle and the wide horizon of possibility.”
As head of both RDU’s Policy Team and Malay Bureau, Dr Alwi advocates for equity, not just equality. He is passionate about uplifting underrepresented communities—not out of favouritism, but as a moral imperative, rooted in our national pledge.
Pang Heng Chuan: The Business Strategist for a Changing World
Pang Heng Chuan – Image Credit: Red Dot United
With over 15 years of experience across branding, big data, and e-commerce, Pang Heng Chuan is the team’s business brain. He has led multi-million-dollar regional projects and understands what it takes to keep Singapore competitive.
“Singapore has only two natural resources — our people and our position on the map. To stay competitive, we must listen to every voice, especially the smallest ones.”
Pang believes that government policy must not just react to global trends—it must shape them. In the face of tech layoffs and economic shocks, he champions forward-thinking, inclusive strategies that empower both SMEs and workers to thrive in tomorrow’s economy.
Ravi Philemon: The Veteran with the Voice of Reason
Ravi Philemon – Image Credit: Red Dot United
A two-time GE candidate and RDU’s Secretary-General, Ravi Philemon is no stranger to the political frontlines. A media practitioner, father, and grandfather, Ravi carries the concerns of everyday Singaporeans not just in his rhetoric, but in his lived experience.
“I know what it means to worry about your children’s future, and your grandchildren’s tomorrow. That same love, that same fight — I now extend to every family in this country.”
Known for his calm, constructive style and unwavering integrity, Ravi has spent nearly two decades pushing for fairness and dignity in Singapore. His leadership is not performative—it’s personal.
Together, this team of five isn’t here to perform opposition for opposition’s sake. They’re here to lead with thought, heart, and vision. As Singaporeans prepare to head to the polls, Red Dot United’s Nee Soon GRC slate is making one thing clear:
The future is worth fighting for—and transparency is where it begins.
Stay tuned as The Independent continues to bring you unfiltered coverage of GE2025 — the candidates, the contests, and the convictions shaping Singapore’s future.
JOHOR BAHRU: Johor reportedly already has RM23 billion (S$6.9 billion) in its investment pipeline for April alone, on top of this year’s first quarter investments worth RM27.4 billion — which Johor Chief Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi described as a “powerful early signal of the momentum” behind the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as he spoke at the two-day JS-SEZ Business and Investment Forum on Monday (April 21), according to The Business Times.
This follows Bernama’s Sunday report, citing Mr Ghazi, noting that Johor is targeting high-tech and green investments that can create better-paying job opportunities while supporting the state’s commitment to sustainable growth.
He said the initiative “will significantly contribute to Johor’s ambition of becoming a regional hub for sectors such as the digital economy, research and development, advanced manufacturing, agrotechnology, tourism, and logistics.”
The forum, held at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre, themed “JS-SEZ: Bridging Economies, Strengthening Supply Chains”, was organised by Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and the Johor state government.
The chief minister also provided updates on the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre – Johor, which was launched in February to “streamline investment processes, attract global investors, and foster economic growth”, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).
Mr Ghazi said that ever since, the centre has handled 42 “high-impact” projects now under accelerated processing, and the once 24-month bureaucratic processing times are now achievable in just 13 to 14 months.
He noted that this is not just about efficiency but a “clear signal” to investors that “Johor is serious, responsive and ever-ready.”
To strengthen the JS-SEZ, Mr Ghazi proposed two new initiatives. First was establishing a regulatory sandbox in Johor, which would provide an environment to test new technologies and policies, especially in sectors constrained by regulation.
He noted that the sandbox will allow participating companies, universities, and consortia to achieve faster development cycles, public-private collaboration, and real-world policy experiments.
Mr Ghazi also suggested developing a new “Asean industrial park” within the JS-SEZ to attract investments from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) countries comprising China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and the 10 ASEAN member states.
The park would target high-value sectors such as advanced manufacturing, green technology and the digital economy, Mr Ghazi said. He also suggested customised incentives, such as tax breaks and simplified talent mobility, to attract foreign investors.
MITI said in a statement on Sunday (April 20) that the forum has received an overwhelming response, with nearly 1,000 participants registered from both countries, bringing together top policymakers, business leaders, government-linked companies (GLCs), institutional investors, and industry experts.
Other key figures at the convention included Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Malaysia’s Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz, who officiated the event. /TISG
MALAYSIA: During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Malaysia recently, a 35-year-old singer was given a chance to perform for him, and she felt touched and proud to have been given the honour, as reported by the New Straits Times.
Low, who was the champion of the “One In A Million” Season 1 competition, said she was over the moon and that she felt most honoured to have performed for one of the world’s most prominent leaders.
Photo: Instagram/Suki Low
Feeling surreal
The singer, who hails from Seremban, said that it felt surreal and that she had performed in many places, but this had a different kind of weight to it. During the show, Low looked out and saw the President applauding, and that is when she thought about how music can be a powerful medium to bridge relationships.
She said that, despite any differences, everyone is connected by a melody, and that is powerful. Low shared that she feels incredibly honoured and touched by this. It made her want to work even harder to use her singing for more than just fun. She hopes to connect with different people, encourage positive change, and share important messages through her music.
A meaningful compliment to Low
The singer couldn’t hide her joy at the chance to shake hands with the President, who shared a meaningful compliment to Low. Low sang five songs at the event. She thanked everyone who made the moment a success and said it would always be etched in her heart, not only as a singer but also as a Malaysian.
She sang Guang De Fang Xiang (Direction Of Light), a folk song titled Duo Xie Liao (Thank You), Yong Ma Lai Xi Ya De Tian Qi Lai Shuo Ai Ni (Love For Malaysia), Guang Liang (Light), and Pang Yao (Friend).
She shared that not many people know about folk songs, but she learned this genre from her vocal teacher when she was young. She said that finally, she had the chance to perform this song in front of the President of China.
Low has been learning folk songs since a young age, but there was no proper platform to showcase them. The right moment finally arrived after more than 20 years, and it was not just any moment but a huge milestone for Low, her family, and her teacher, who has patiently nurtured this gift in her for all these years.
The singer didn’t forget to thank San Singh, her stylist, and Khoon Hooi, the costume designer, for helping her look and feel so fantastic and stylish that night.
One in a Million champion
Meet Low Sook Yee or Suki Low, as most people know her. Born on Dec 26, 1990, she’s a talented Malaysian singer with Chinese roots, hailing from Seremban in Negeri Sembilan.
Suki Low rose to prominence by winning the first season of Malaysia’s reality singing competition “One in a Million” in 2006.
At the young age of 16, she captured the hearts of the nation and won the grand prize of one million ringgit (S$297,828).During the competition, she performed a variety of songs, showcasing her vocal talent and versatility.
In the grand finale, her renditions of “Berdiri” and “Everything” secured her victory with 39% of the votes, beating Muhammad Alif bin Mohd Satar and Ahmad Faizal Tahir.
MALAYSIA: A Malaysian K-pop trainee, Lingling (who also goes by 링링), has been making waves! It was reported that she showed up on this idol competition show called “I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2),” and people have been taking notice, according to Hype Malaysia. Despite not debuting in izna (이즈나), she will make her long-awaited debut in another group later this year.
Photo: Instagram/Alicia Wong Ling Ling
According to the Malay Mail, Alicia Wong Lingling—or Lingling, as everyone knows her— isn’t just a trainee getting attention. Lingling is the first Malaysian to officially debut in a K-pop girl group.
Capturing attention
Lingling, 19, is from Klang, Selangor. She did well on the Mnet survival show, “I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2),” and everyone was impressed by how she could speak so many languages, how confident she was on stage, and just how likable she is. It sounds like she captured everyone’s attention!
She just launched her very own Instagram account, confirming she’s made that exciting jump from being a trainee to a real, official K-pop idol. Her account had new profile images, which sparked rumours that she would soon make her debut.
Exciting news
On Apr 18, 2025, South Korean entertainment company Lean Branding made a big announcement: Lingling is officially joining their first-ever international girl group, with a debut slated for late May. The agency is keeping things a little mysterious for now, promising more juicy details about the group and its members in the coming days.
It turns out that even though Lingling was super talented on “I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2)“—her singing and dancing were apparently amazing!—she got eliminated from the show, finishing 16th overall. That meant she didn’t get to debut with that WakeOne group called izna. However, the good news is that she made a big impression on a lot of people! She built up a loyal fanbase, and it sounds as if everyone’s been eagerly waiting for her to finally debut. Well, it looks like their patience has paid off!
Time to shine
It appears that her fans are thrilled about this news. They’ve been waiting for her to get her chance, and now that she’s finally debuting in this new girl group, they feel it’s her time to shine and show everyone what she’s got. You can imagine the excitement and anticipation they must be feeling.
There were concerns about her agency, but they said they would support the Malaysian’s upcoming debut. In her Instagram post, Lingling also expressed her excitement for her official debut. She wrote in five languages that she longed for the stage and that she began again.
On another note, the first male Malaysian K-pop idol was Isaac Voo (also known as 아이젝), who debuted way back in 2017 with a boy group called Skye (they used to be known as IN2IT or 인투잇).
Making waves
It looks like Malaysia is becoming a bit of a K-pop hotspot! There’s another Malaysian trainee, Pan Ee Xiang (팡이썅), who’s also set to debut in a K-pop boy group called SEVENTOEIGHT later this year. He earned his spot in 6th place on a Korean-Taiwanese idol survival show called “SCOOL.” Seeing so many talented Malaysians making their mark in the K-pop world is exciting.
As reported by Korea JoongAng Daily, after placing second in I-LAND 2 (아이랜드 2)‘s preliminary voting, she has secured a spot in Lean Branding’s first global girl group, scheduled to debut in late May.
So far, the group’s name and official debut date are still a secret, but anticipation is already building, since the agency has confirmed Lingling’s inclusion. Lingling is known for being a polyglot and is fluent in Chinese, Malay, English, and Korean. Because she’s so good at multiple languages, fans even gave her cool nicknames like #PolyglotGenius and #WakeOneInterpreter on her profile.
Lingling’s final debut isn’t just a big moment for her; it’s also a significant step forward for Malaysia in the whole K-pop scene. It shows that Malaysian talent can break through in this incredibly competitive industry, and it opens doors for even more aspiring Malaysian idols in the future.
SINGAPORE: In a social media post on Sunday (Apr 20), Workers’ Party (WP) chief Pritam Singh took issue with remarks made by People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Lam Pin Min that were published in a CNA article that day.
Dr Lam, who will lead the ruling party’s slate in Sengkang, said, “If we talk about Sengkang GRC (group representation constituency), we are not an incumbent. We do not have the resources of the town council, and we find that as a challenger; you’re always facing more challenges compared to somebody who is an incumbent in the GRC.”
He noted that Dr Lam had been a senior minister of state before losing in the General Election in 2020 and posted a photo of him, together with the other PAP candidates, presiding over a citizenship ceremony in Sengkang on Apr 13.
FB screengrab/Pritam Singh
Mr Singh wrote that he was “a little surprised to read this one-dimensional perspective of the ‘resources’ available to losing PAP candidates,” given that they are commonly appointed as Grassroots Advisers by the People’s Association (PA) or that they work closely with the appointed Grassroots Adviser as PAP branch chairmen.
His fellow Workers’ Party Members of Parliament (MPs), including Jamus Lim and He Ting Ru (Sengkang GRC), have also spoken up in the past few years regarding this issue.
Mr Singh, Singapore’s first officially designated Leader of the Opposition, pointed out in an article for the WP newsletter last year that PAP candidates “have significant reach wherever they stand.”
In 2021, after Dr Lam posted photos of himself giving out bursaries at Sengkang West GRC, a resident asked why Assoc Prof Lim had not been present at her daughter’s Edusave Award ceremony. The WP MP explained to her that it had not been out of “lack of interest or desire” but because MPs from opposition wards are not the Grassroots Advisers for their constituencies, and therefore, do not give out the awards.
In the following year, Ms He addressed the issue as well, writing, “Elected MPs who do not belong to the ruling party are not asked to give out the awards to our residents—we are not Grassroots Advisors for our constituencies.”
Mr Singh pointed out in his article that having a WP candidate as an MP means that voters in Sengkang have three representatives to look after their interests, “First, an apparently apolitical Grassroots Adviser managing the PA grassroots organisations such as the CCC (Citizens’ Consultative Committee), CCMC (Community Club Management Committee), RCs (Residents’ Committees), and NCs (Neighbourhood Committees); second, a PAP Branch Chairman who leans on the PA for political ends with the PA’s blessings, and finally, a WP MP in Parliament who ensures we have independent checks and balances in Parliament and a fairer political system in Singapore.”
His post appears to have resonated with netizens, as it has been much commented on and shared.
“The fact remains…PAP and PA are one in practice… unelected PAP candidates become ‘advisors’ and given full access to CCs..while actual elected non-PAP MPs have to ‘make do’ elsewhere…events like the example shown have the unelected as VIPs instead of the elected…. isn’t this a joke?…keep voting for WP in Sengkang,” opined a Facebook user.
“I feel so strongly about this. I see the PA grassroots advisor and the fact that PAP MPs from other constituents or Grassroots Advisors standing in as GOH at opposition wards’ CC events, a complete disrespect to the Opposition MP who won there and a total disregard to the residents who, as a majority, voted the Opposition in,” commented another.
One wrote, “Agree with you. Lived in Low Thia Khiang/Gerald Giam’s ward previously and always found it odd that the PAP grassroots advisors were being invited as guests of honor for government events in the area and giving out Edusave awards. It felt disrespectful, considering the residents had given a clear mandate to WP there.” /TISG
The Yizhuang half-marathon in Beijing was a blend of technology and athletics as 21 humanoid robots joined thousands of human runners on the 21km course.
These robots, created by Chinese companies like DroidVP and Noetix Robotics, have sizes from just under 1.2m to 1.8m tall. One of the companies presented a robot that looked like a human, complete with feminine features, and had the ability to wink and smile. There were also robots dressed for the race, with a few wearing running shoes to further enhance their performance.
Moreover, one robot stood out with boxing gloves, and another sported a red headband emblazoned with the words “Bound to Win” in Chinese.
Some of the robots underwent weeks of testing to prepare for the race. These robots were not only accompanied by human trainers but also required physical support from them during the event. Spectator He Sishu, who works in artificial intelligence, shared, “The robots are running very well, very stable … I feel I’m witnessing the evolution of robots and AI.”
The winning robot, Tiangong Ultra, from the Beijing Innovation Centre of Human Robotics, completed the race in 2 hours and 40 minutes. On the other hand, the men’s race winner finished in 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Tang Jian, the chief technology officer of the robotics centre, explained that Tiangong Ultra’s performance was helped by its long legs and an algorithm that mimics how humans run a marathon. “I don’t want to boast, but no other robotics firms in the West have matched Tiangong’s sporting achievements,” he said. He also added that the robot’s batteries were replaced three times during the race.
This is the first time humanoid robots have raced alongside humans, even though they have appeared in marathons over the past years.
China is investing heavily in emerging industries like robotics, hoping they will fuel new economic growth.
BBC News shared the story in a social media post, and netizens had mixed reactions.
As one commenter put it, “They’d have a lot more success if we didn’t keep this ridiculous notion that robots have to look like people. Give it four legs…and suddenly it’s more stable and has more weight capacity for computers and batteries.”
Another netizen remarked: “It’s good to see a diversity of robot forms, sizes, and capabilities as it shows multiple streams of R&D. While some are primitive today, they are at the disruptive innovation stage; based on the progress shown here, they will clearly cross the chasm into being ready for many everyday use cases within three to five years; it’s going to be interesting times as we adapt to the new economics of non-human but humanoid workers.”
While some found it impressive, other commenters shared a more serious take.”In a few years, this ain’t funny anymore,” one person wrote
Another added, “I thought robots were meant to help us (like in extreme situations where humans need rescue, etc), not compete against us in silly races and generate AI art…. what a waste”
One more user had strong words saying, “The reason why we shouldn’t have these people creating these 🤭….. They can’t even get human life right. Sickening how people want robots to control everything.”
