GE2015: Meet the new faces of PAP's Ang Mo Kio GRC – Darryl David and Koh Poh Koon
The People’s Action Party on Saturday unveiled its candidates who will be contesting in the Ang Mo Kio GRC for the coming election. Led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the six-member team includes Darryl David and Dr Koh Poh Koon who are new faces in the constituency.
Darryl David – From TV to GRC
Fans of the Singapore television game show, The Pyramid Game, will remember Darryl David, who was its host in the 90s.
The media veteran has 22 years of experience in the media and communications industry, and is currently the deputy director of the School of Design at Temasek Polytechnic.
When the 44-year-old father of two (son aged 7, daughter aged 12) is not grooming future media experts for Singapore, he devotes some of his time to community work.
In 2009, he became the District Councilor with the North-East Community Development Council. He has also volunteered for the Red Cross, the Terry Fox Run for Hope as well as the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, among others.
When asked why he has chosen to enter politics, David said after the unveiling, “Perhaps (politics) will allow me to continue to serve in a different level with different capacity.”
On the issues that he hoped to raise in parliament, he highlighted “healthcare” challenges facing the aging population and “student care”.
“I’m a very big supporter of skills-based education. I see the quality of the caliber of polytechnic and ITE (Institute of Technical Education) graduates and students. I think it’s something we should push forward and I would like to champion that,” he said.
Koh Poh Koon – From ‘Son of Punggol’ to ‘Son of Ang Mo Kio’?
He lost to The Workers’ Party’s Lee Li Lian in the 2013 Punggol East by-election. But now, the Punggol homeboy is back to fight in the coming election for Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Almost two years have passed since the 43-year-old colorectal surgeon contested in the by-election. At the time, he was fielded after former politician Michael Palmer resigned from the seat due to an extra-marital affair.
Despite his defeat, Dr Koh has expressed confidence for the upcoming election.
“It’s been often said that a measure of a nation’s greatness is how it treats its weakest members. As a Singaporean, I feel it is time to play an active role in charting the future of Singapore – to help the weakest in society, to improve our quality of life and to build a stronger nation,” he said.
Dr Koh has been a doctor for 19 years and has served in the community for 12 years.
The father of two has been a grassroots volunteer since 2002 and is now the Vice-Chair of the Citizen’s Consultative Committee in Yio Chu Kang.
His leadership experience in uniform might put him in good stead to fight in the election. Previously the Commanding officer of a Combat Service Support Battalion, Dr Koh is now Brigade Second-in-Command within the Guards Formation.
During his free time, he loves to run and enjoys taking photos.
Related stories:
GE2015: PAP unveils Ang Mo Kio GRC Team
GE2015: Meet PAP's new faces for Sembawang GRC
GE2015: PAP unveils two new faces for Sembawang GRC team
GE2015: Election rallies, getai shows must be kept separate
GE2015: The evolution of Tin Pei Ling
