Being an MP isn't always glamorous: Bertha Henson on S'pore politics

If you know Singapore politics, you probably know Bertha Henson.

The former Straits Times editor is known for her biting Facebook commentary on anything from the state of mainstream journalism, to local politics.

In her latest book, "How to be a Singapore Election Superstar", she takes a parodical approach to the recent 2025 General Election, tucking critiques and observations into the semblance of a how-to manual.

Henson tells Mothership that it is the nuance of Singapore politics that she finds interesting. As a "professional" reader, she's more concerned with the narrative that lies in between the lines of news reports, than what's spelt out.

"We only know about politics and policies based on what is fed to us via the media," she says. "So it’s important to see what food we’ve been ingesting — whether half-baked or under-cooked or over-garnished."

An abridged excerpt from her book, from the chapter, "Can Tahan or Not?", which details the myriad demands of a Member of Parliament (MP), has been reproduced here in part.

By Bertha Henson

An MP's work isn't always so glamorous.

Remember that the electorate is a mixed bag of people with varied demands and satisfaction levels. You have to channel-switch languages, know different cultural norms and religious traditions and remember that there are two foreigners living here for every three citizens when you go glad-handing in public places.

There are also some not-so-nice facets of the Singaporean voter which could make you fly off the handle and off the ballot paper.

You need guts and doggedness, understated qualities given the votersʼ usual fascination with academic prowess — which is also important.

Therefore, do you have what it takes to handle:

Racism/Chauvinism?

There is something visceral about preferring to be with your own kind, even though no one will admit to being racist or chauvinistic.

When minority candidates speak Mandarin or Chinese dialect, it is a subtle attempt to be relatable to the majority of voters.

Avoid making direct appeals to your own community for votes.

Most times, racism is the "casual" kind, more as a "tease" especially on the part of the Chinese majority towards minority members.

Ariffin Sha, an Indian candidate from the Singapore Democratic Party had to endure a racial slur that fellow party member, Gigene Wong, used to describe him at a rally, supposedly without malice.

Wong and SDP party leaders later apologised publicly to Ariffin and the Indian community.

Sexism?

If you are a good-looking woman, your looks will be discussed and dissected publicly, attracting catcalls from people presuming that you must be a "bimbo".

This also applies to those who would never win a beauty contest, accompanied by jeers, sneers and nasty comments on height, weight or figure. It is enough to make a grown woman cry.

In GE2025, opposition politician Alexis Dang, 39, who works in business development, was greeted by shouts of chio bu (pretty woman in Hokkien) before she spoke at rallies.

Another female politician, 38-year-old entrepreneur and author Liyana Dhamirah filed a police report on being subjected to "racist and sexist" abuse online.

Sexist taunts happen at every election. In 2011, 27-year-old Tin Pei Lingʼs candidature was rubbished because the consultant in an auditing firm looked too young and immature.

In 2015, her new status as a mother came under the spotlight when an opposition politician said this was a weakness.

By 2020, no one was in any doubt that she was a solid backbencher when she held her own in a single-seat ward and was among the top scorers in that yearʼs general election, obtaining a whopping 71.74 per cent of the votes.

Scrutiny of your academic record?

Doing badly in primary school is a badge of honour (think humble beginnings) but doing well enough to earn a top-notch scholarship or entry into a prestigious university is a plaque with your name engraved on it.

It is old-fashioned to talk about grades obtained in school. The vogue term is whether the candidate is "highly-credentialled".

In fact, the proportion of voters who said this was a "very important" quality rose 9 per cent from five years ago, a post-GE2025 survey showed.

Thatʼs the nature of the electorate these days, after being weaned on intelligence and academic excellence (reflected by what school you were from) and job title/designation.

If you run your own firm or business, make sure it is at least profitable.

Since 2006, every single first-time candidate of the ruling Peopleʼs Action Party has been a university graduate at the very least.

The Workersʼ Party, the leading opposition party in Singapore, has been tightening its screening of candidates as well. This was evident when it rolled out its first-time candidates to the public for GE2020 and GE2025.

In other words, you must be able to claim to be a somewhat successful citizen with some brains.

Top image from Bertha Henson/Facebook