Tin Pei Ling

I was in this for a few years, and then I was asked whether I would be open to running in the general election. I was eventually fielded. I did the ruling party in the general election of 2011. That was quite a pivotal year for me, to be honest. It was my first time participating as a candidate in the general election.

I was in this for a few years, and then I was asked whether I would be open to running in the general election. I was eventually fielded. I did the ruling party in the general election of 2011. That was quite a pivotal year for me, to be honest. It was my first time participating as a candidate in the general election.

The overall political atmosphere was electrifying, but also very tough for us because there were a few issues that had to be addressed. As the youngest candidate from the ruling party, as a female, as a newbie in that sense, there were considerable challenges personally for me. That probably was the darkest period of my life.

The overall political atmosphere was electrifying, but also very tough for us because there were a few issues that had to be addressed. As the youngest candidate from the ruling party, as a female, as a newbie in that sense, there were considerable challenges personally for me. That probably was the darkest period of my life.

For me personally, because there were a lot of doubts and criticisms and it was really very challenging. Very, very trying just even to go through the campaigning period, even after the election itself. It was life-changing.

For me personally, because there were a lot of doubts and criticisms and it was really very challenging. Very, very trying just even to go through the campaigning period, even after the election itself. It was life-changing.

Really depends on how you see it. I actually was a volunteer in the grassroots and a political party member since second year of university. So I had some exposure to what being an MP is like in Singapore. So in that sense, I didn't have a root shock. I do have some inkling of what the demands would be. But having gone through the general election itself,

Really depends on how you see it. I actually was a volunteer in the grassroots and a political party member since second year of university. So I had some exposure to what being an MP is like in Singapore. So in that sense, I didn't have a root shock. I do have some inkling of what the demands would be. But having gone through the general election itself,

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.