June 17, 2024, 07:15 PM
A new face has joined the Tampines East ward of Tampines GRC.
At the Tampines Learning Festival on Jun. 15, Minister for Social and Family Development Masagos Zulkifli introduced Charlene Chen to Tampines residents, reported The Straits Times.
Previously appointed as a member of the Tampines Town Council, Chen is now taking up the post of second adviser to the grassroots organisations in Tampines GRC.
The area previously had former Member of Parliament (MP) Cheng Li Hui as its MP, before she resigned after having an extramarital affair.
Glad to support grassroots leader
According to ST, Masagos said: “I have... two divisions. It’s very hard to run everything, and it’s not fair for the residents."
The anchor minister has been in charge of the Tampines East ward since July 2023, when Cheng resigned.
He added that Chen had volunteered to step in and help him serve the residents.
Dressed in a polo shirt bearing the words "Tampines", Chen was seen standing on stage with Masagos and two other Tampines GRC MPs — Desmond Choo, Mayor for North East District, and Baey Yam Keng, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment and for Transport.
Chen said she was "very glad" to be able to support the grassroots leaders, and implored residents to speak with her, reported ST.
“Please don’t be shy to say hello to me when I walk about in your neighbourhood, when I do my house visits," she added.
Background
According to the Nanyang Technological University, Chen is an assistant professor and a social and consumer psychologist.
She has a PhD as well as a Master of Philosophy degree in marketing from Columbia Business School.
Chen was also part of the PAP Policy Forum dialogue held in October 2023, which spoke about engaging youths in policy making.
Chen has recently been posting about her various activities in Tampines on social media, such as her visits to the town council and Chinese temple.
There hasn't been any confirmation on whether or not Chen will be standing with the People's Action Party (PAP) in the upcoming general election, which must be held by November 2025.
However, Tampines GRC MP Desmond Choo and Nee Soon GRC MP Carrie Tan were also second advisers to grassroots organisations before running in the elections.
Top images via NTU and PAP Tampines East/Facebook
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