Tin Pei Ling

Having gone through what some described as baptism of fire for me, that was quite a tremendous change. At that point, because I was still considered fairly junior and young career-wise, I was also new to the constituency that I was filled in. I had to choose between...

Having gone through what some described as baptism of fire for me, that was quite a tremendous change. At that point, because I was still considered fairly junior and young career-wise, I was also new to the constituency that I was filled in. I had to choose between...

my career development, my professional development and doing a good job, at least to be responsible enough to build up within the constituency. Professionally, at that point in time, I wasn't a senior, so I couldn't quite delegate. I would have to do most of the work and fairly so, fairly so.

my career development, my professional development and doing a good job, at least to be responsible enough to build up within the constituency. Professionally, at that point in time, I wasn't a senior, so I couldn't quite delegate. I would have to do most of the work and fairly so, fairly so.

But if I had to take time away from work and focus on serving the people, then that wouldn't be fair to my colleagues or my bosses or to the clients. So in the end, I realized that being elected is a very sacred duty. I owe it to the voters who voted for me. At that point, I decided to quit my job at Ernst & Young and just focus on my duties as a parliamentarian. Because I was a newbie, right?

But if I had to take time away from work and focus on serving the people, then that wouldn't be fair to my colleagues or my bosses or to the clients. So in the end, I realized that being elected is a very sacred duty. I owe it to the voters who voted for me. At that point, I decided to quit my job at Ernst & Young and just focus on my duties as a parliamentarian. Because I was a newbie, right?

So I was new to the constituency. I was new to the role as an MP. And I really wanted to devote myself to that. I spent the time to understand the constituency, to understand the issues that my constituents faced, from bread and butter to municipal to aspirational type of issues.

So I was new to the constituency. I was new to the role as an MP. And I really wanted to devote myself to that. I spent the time to understand the constituency, to understand the issues that my constituents faced, from bread and butter to municipal to aspirational type of issues.

Honestly, looking back, the most precious asset to me in the past 12 years as a parliamentarian would be the bonds that I've forged with the people within Macpherson. Every time when I see our elderly, them smiling at me, we ask about each other, them hugging me. It feels like family and that's precious. And I've also watched kids grow up and that's precious. And so these are, to me, invaluable.

Honestly, looking back, the most precious asset to me in the past 12 years as a parliamentarian would be the bonds that I've forged with the people within Macpherson. Every time when I see our elderly, them smiling at me, we ask about each other, them hugging me. It feels like family and that's precious. And I've also watched kids grow up and that's precious. And so these are, to me, invaluable.

So I think that the change, partly because of circumstances, partly due to my own choice, There were adjustments. The nature of work is different. I have to spend a lot of time on the ground. As a parliamentarian, to be honest, there is no so-called official working hours. It's 24-7 every day.

So I think that the change, partly because of circumstances, partly due to my own choice, There were adjustments. The nature of work is different. I have to spend a lot of time on the ground. As a parliamentarian, to be honest, there is no so-called official working hours. It's 24-7 every day.

Always, always. Yeah, so it's either you're on the ground in parliament or on emails. So it's really super, super stretchy in that sense. But I think it's fulfilling. It's fulfilling. Yeah.

Always, always. Yeah, so it's either you're on the ground in parliament or on emails. So it's really super, super stretchy in that sense. But I think it's fulfilling. It's fulfilling. Yeah.

The fact that the political party, in this case, our ruling party, PAP, decided to field me. I was in my 20s and I was a female and that they decided to field me in the election to show that they are progressive enough to create opportunities and that space for someone young and a young female to rise up and be a representative for the people because it is an important role.

The fact that the political party, in this case, our ruling party, PAP, decided to field me. I was in my 20s and I was a female and that they decided to field me in the election to show that they are progressive enough to create opportunities and that space for someone young and a young female to rise up and be a representative for the people because it is an important role.

responsibility when you are elected as a parliamentarian. So I think that's one. At that point in time, it's also managing certain preconceived notions or stereotypes that people may have of certain gender and age. So to me, the big challenge that I faced was age. That was only my 20s.

responsibility when you are elected as a parliamentarian. So I think that's one. At that point in time, it's also managing certain preconceived notions or stereotypes that people may have of certain gender and age. So to me, the big challenge that I faced was age. That was only my 20s.

And even though I already had seven years of grassroots experience by then, I guess track record wise, people still do not have a clear grasp of what I have to offer. Bam, I'm young, I'm new. And I think a lot of people will be thinking, who are you? Do you really understand my problems? Are you able to, you know, solve it even if you do understand?

And even though I already had seven years of grassroots experience by then, I guess track record wise, people still do not have a clear grasp of what I have to offer. Bam, I'm young, I'm new. And I think a lot of people will be thinking, who are you? Do you really understand my problems? Are you able to, you know, solve it even if you do understand?