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Singer-musician steps up as NMP candidate

Local singer-musician Michelle Poh has stepped forward as an independent candidate for the nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) position for the arts community.

A former arts administrator with the National Arts Council, Poh told Yahoo! Singapore that her decision was spurred by her desire to speak up for all areas of the arts community, and not just for specific art forms.

“For me as a musician, it is very important to have the entire industry built up professionally because I will need a good filmmaker to do my MTVs. I will need skilled photographers for my shoots. I need good recording studios. I need good dancers for my shows. I need good writers for my songs. I need the arts media for my PR and I need experienced arts managers,” explained the veteran musician-educator.

“That’s why I am also concerned about the well-being of all the other arts and media industries, as we are all interlinked. We can’t do our jobs without each other,” she added.

Poh, who believes that all art industries should be equally developed, intends to leverage on her background in social work training, which has gained her valuable experience in social policies and community engagement.

She has submitted her application form for the NMP position. 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.

The committee comprises MPs Grace Fu, Janil Puthucheary, Ellen Lee, Low Thia Khiang, Masagos Zulkifli, Ng Eng Hen and Sim Ann.

Recently, Singapore actress Janice Koh announced her decision to put herself forward as a possible NMP.