Former central banker sees community cohesion as a priority : SINGAPORE - Even though he has "limited grassroots experience", former central banker Heng Swee Keat listed community cohesion as one of his priorities if he is elected to Parliament.
The 50-year-old, who has served in the public sector for more than 27 years, cited two personal experiences.
In the early '80s, Mr Heng - a former Singapore Police Force scholar - implemented community policing, mobilising grassroots volunteers and the public to fight crime. "They came from all walks of life - taxi drivers, office workers, factory workers, students, and crime came down," he recalled.
He had found it "fulfilling" to see Singaporeans from all professions and races coming together for a common goal. "I think it is something that is very precious to Singapore and we should build on," Mr Heng said.
In 2008, when the global financial crisis struck, while other countries experienced "bank runs", the Republic managed to keep "millions of accounts" in savings and insurance "intact" and the Singapore dollar remained stable. Singapore was able to maintain that confidence, because of "the trust that people had in us and in our Government", Mr Heng said.
When Mr Heng left the Monetary Authority of Singapore after six years, he was touted by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong as having the "potential to be a minister and core member of the fourth generation team".
Introducing Mr Heng as a new People's Action Party (PAP) candidate yesterday, PAP chairman Lim Boon Heng noted he "has worked closely with several ministers".
"His ability is well known to them. They also have a measure of his character and his values," added Mr Lim.
While Mr Heng may have "limited grassroots experience", Mr Lim was confident he "will learn quickly". "Of course, he will be tested. But I'm confident he will pass the test comfortably," said Mr Lim.
People's Action Party
Heng Swee Keat
Former managing director of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, 50
FACTFILE:
- Former Permanent Secretary of the Trade and Industry Ministry
- Former principal private secretary to then-Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew
HE SAID:
"I'm deeply convinced that we need to build a cohesive community and we need to build a deep level of trust between the people."
POSSIBLE WARD:
Tampines GRC
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