BACKBENCHER'S BITE BY JANE NG
Service with full effort, full heart urong is a familiar stomping ground for newly-minted Member of Parliament, Mr Xie Yao Quan. He had been Ƥ years, mostly in Jurong Spring constituency before he stood for election in nearby Jurong Central. Both constituencies are part of Jurong GRC. When he was activated at a late hour to join the Jurong GRC team of candidates for GE2020, Mr Xie was more than ready to step up. While the transition from volunteer to candidate to MP was compressed, he had been preparing for it. “So it was not a complete surprise,” said Mr Xie, recalling the lead-up to polling day on July 10, 2020. “I felt a strong sense of responsibility to the team. I had to make sure I could present myself fully as a choice for residents to consider and not let the team and activists down,” he said. His day job sees him looking into innovative practices and service provision for the healthcare system as the population ages. Ƥ as it gives him an even stronger ground-up look at issues faced by Singaporeans.
J
WHO: Xie Yao Quan, MP for Jurong GRC and chairman of Jurong-Clementi Town Council. He entered politics in July 2020 and is the head of healthcare redesign in Alexandra Hospital. WHERE: Coffee United Coffeeshop at Blk 496, Jurong West Street 41. ON THE MENU: Rojak from Hoover Rojak, $5 Kopi-C Gao Siu Dai, $1.30
MP Xie Yao Quan, Jurong Central (Jurong GRC) Tell us about yourself? At Alexandra Hospital, my work is focused on finding new ways to meet the healthcare needs of our ageing population. I also led the hospital’s Covid-19 operations in a major Community Care Facility at the height of the pandemic. Before this, I spent five years in the private sector with an investment company and earlier, six years with the Singapore Armed Forces. What are three traits that best represent you? Curious, daring, servant-leader. Why did you decide to join politics? I believe an MP’s role is to bring together like-minded partners to serve and benefit the local community. This is how politics in Singapore must continue to be
28
DEC 2020
– a thriving democracy of deeds. Ultimately, it is about galvanising and serving alongside fellow Singaporeans, and to step forward and be counted. How has the ground experience been so far? It has reinforced my belief that the focus should always be on the residents. Understand all their circumstances, feel their fears, concerns and hopes, and journey with them. What are the areas that you would like to pay attention to? Keep healthcare accessible, affordable and of quality for Singaporeans and offer holistic support for lower-income families and vulnerable individuals.
