S Iswaran appointed to represent Eurasians in Cabinet

Dalforce 1941 SG

04:45 AM Mar 25, 2012

Singapore - His "formal association" with the Eurasian Association began some 20 years ago, when he was the chief executive of Indian self-help group SINDA and was approached to collaborate on various projects and education programmes.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office S Iswaran looks set to continue the partnership as he accepted the Eurasian Association's request to represent the community's interest in the Cabinet. The community was previously represented by former foreign minister, Mr George Yeo.

Mr Iswaran's appointment was announced by the Eurasian Association's president William Jansen at the community's reunion gala dinner last night, as he stressed the need for the community's representation in the Cabinet.

"After Mr George Yeo was no longer able to represent us in Cabinet, we sounded out to several of the leaders of the Eurasian Community as to whom they thought could best represent Eurasians in Cabinet," said Mr Jansen. "There was an overwhelming and positive response and comfort with Mr S Iswaran representing us."

Mr Jansen noted that Mr Iswaran, as the former CEO of SINDA, had an intimate knowledge of the building and running of self-help groups. And it was during those years that the Eurasian Association built "a close association and relationship" with Mr Iswaran, added Mr Jansen.

Mr Iswaran, who was "deeply honoured" by the appointment, attributed "old ties" with the community as a key factor for the Eurasian Association's request.

Speaking to reporters last night, he said he was first approached by Mr Yeo for the role, an appointment which had the "full blessings and support" of the Prime Minister.

Mr Iswaran, who is also Second Minister for Home Affairs and Trade & Industry, noted the difference from when Mr Yeo first assumed the role in 1992.

"At that time, there were no Eurasian representatives in Parliament," said Mr Iswaran. "Now, you have (Speaker of Parliament) Michael Palmer and (Holland-Bukit Timah Member of Parliament) Christopher de Souza doing a good job.

"The way I see my role would be to work closely with Michael and Chris and to make sure that in Cabinet level discussions, when there are matters that are of relevance to the community, I'll make sure they will be addressed."

Asked about issues he might want to bring up, Mr Iswaran said there are no "pre-conceived agenda or ideas at this stage".

He added: "I wanted to establish relationship first and then to go on from there. I'll be making sure I get a good feel of the range of activities they are doing and what kind of concerns and issues they have and discuss these in some detail with Michael and Chris."

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120325-0000018/S-Iswaran-appointed-to-represent-Eurasians

Dalforce 1941 SG

I assume Lee Hsien Loong represents the interests of peranakans in the cabinet.

Bikeforceful SG

Question is “IS HE EURASIAN or Indian”? Does it matter?

Dalforce 1941 SG

Does it matter?

Sometimes it doesn't matter. Sometimes it's all that matters.

Lee did not agree with your decision to pick Goh.

Ong Teng Cheong: No, he did not disagree. He said he would leave it to us. His own first choice was Tony Tan. Goh Chok Tong was his second choice.

I was his third choice because he said my English was not good enough.

He said Dhanabalan was not right because Singapore was not ready for an Indian prime minister.

That upset the Indian community.

There was quite a bit of adverse reaction to what he said. But he speaks his mind. He is the only one who can get away with it.

http://www.singapore-window.org/sw00/000310a4.htm

I think Singapore is not yet ready for indian prime minister. Singapore is ready for peranakans like Lee Hsien Loong or Tony Tan to be prime minister. They can speak good english.

Bikeforceful SG

Sometimes it doesn't matter. Sometimes it's all that matters.

Lee did not agree with your decision to pick Goh.

Ong Teng Cheong: No, he did not disagree. He said he would leave it to us. His own first choice was Tony Tan. Goh Chok Tong was his second choice.

I was his third choice because he said my English was not good enough.

He said Dhanabalan was not right because Singapore was not ready for an Indian prime minister.

That upset the Indian community.

There was quite a bit of adverse reaction to what he said. But he speaks his mind. He is the only one who can get away with it.

http://www.singapore-window.org/sw00/000310a4.htm

I think Singapore is not yet ready for indian prime minister. Singapore is ready for peranakans like Lee Hsien Loong or Tony Tan to be prime minister. They can speak good english.

There are at least two Eurasian MPs in Parliament. Why can't they represent the Eurasian community? So I suppose one who is not Eurasian, can be an "Honorary Eurasian" sort of...........alright man! give the good man a bowl of Devils Curry! Jinky nona Jinky nona jinky nona....

Dalforce 1941 SG

Maybe due to wife is ang moh.

IN 1991, a young government scholar was selected as the first chief executive officer of the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA). It was Mr S. Iswaran and he was just 29 then.

A former St Andrew's Secondary School and National Junior College student, he had graduated with an honours degree in economics from Adelaide University before joining the Administrative Service where he worked at the home affairs and education ministries before being seconded to the NTUC as an assistant director in its research unit.

In 1994, the Chennai-born Singaporean left SINDA to pursue a master's degree in public administration at Harvard University and married college sweetheart Kay Mary Taylor. The following year he joined the Ministry of Trade and Industry as director of the trade division.

In 1996, he was one of the new faces unveiled by the People's Action Party. To facilitate his entry into politics, he quit the civil service and joined Singapore Technologies. The following year, he was elected as a member of Parliament for West Coast GRC...

http://www.asiaone.com/Business/SME+Central/Talking+point/Story/A1Story20101015-242475.html

According to peranakan Harry Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore is not "ready" for indian prime minister. So S. Iswaran has no chance of being PM.

Sinphoniq SG

Meh, we're such a small and laid back community in Singapore.

Focus on housing and education lah...

charlize SG

Meh, we're such a small and laid back community in Singapore.

Focus on housing and education lah...

Yes boss.