Unexpected faces put themselves forward to be NMPs

A day before the deadline for applications to serve as Nominated Members of Parliament, some familiar names yesterday confirmed their interest. Other unfamiliar - and unexpected - contenders also emerged.

Human resource practitioner Martin Gabriel, 44, real estate investment banker Roy Ling, 35, and women's advocacy group UNIFEM Singapore's immediate past president Saleemah Ismail, 42, are representing themselves as independent candidates, while green group, Nature Society Singapore (NSS) nominated one of its members, Ms Faizah Jamal.

Today understands that DBS managing director and group head of wealth management Tan Shu Shan (picture) has also put herself forward. From the previous batch of NMPs, National University of Singapore sociologist Paulin Straughan confirmed yesterday that she is applying for a second-term.

Back after a year's absence working for the United Nations Development Programme in Cambodia, Ms Saleema told Today that she felt it "timely" to raise matters close to her heart - gender quality but also those affecting the lower-income, having come from such a background herself.

"I'll be raising issues on housing, transport and social issues but through a gender lens," said Ms Saleema.

Meanwhile, Fencing Singapore president Nicholas Fang said that he had "done the paperwork" and was "close to making a decision", while Singapore Management University law lecturer Eugene Tan confirmed that he had submitted his forms.

Other confirmed applicants include unionist Mary Liew, 49, actress Janice Koh, 37, and Association of Small and Medium Enterprises vice-president Kurt Wee, 37.

The names of the applicants will be put to a Special Select Committee that will recommend up to nine NMPs to be appointed by the President. Prospective applicants have until 4.30pm today to submit their forms.

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