Drama Box's Kok Heng Leun steps forward as possible NMP candidate for arts

A theatre group's artistic director Kok Heng Leun has stepped forward as a potential candidate to represent the arts sector as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP). -- FILE PHOTO: DRAMA BOX 
A theatre group's artistic director Kok Heng Leun has stepped forward as a potential candidate to represent the arts sector as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP). -- FILE PHOTO: DRAMA BOX 

A theatre group's artistic director Kok Heng Leun has stepped forward as a potential candidate to represent the arts sector as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).

He told The Straits Times on Friday that he wanted to "continue the discussion on the role of arts and culture in community development.

"Both Audrey (Wong) and Janice (Koh) have worked very hard and brought up possible discourse on what arts and culture could mean in Singapore and (at) institutions. I think this dialogue should continue," said the 48-year-old, who has led Drama Box for two decades.

Arts lecturer Audrey Wong and actress Janice Koh are the two previous NMPs representing the sector. Ms Koh's current two-and-a-half-year term in the House will expire in August.

Parliament has invited the public to submit names of potential NMP candidates, and Speaker Halimah Yacob will meet representatives of seven groups to inform them of the procedures required to submit their nominations.

The seven are business and industry; the professions; the labour movement; social service organisations; civic and the people sector; tertiary institutions; and media, arts and sports organisations.

Nominations close on May 20 at 4.30pm.

The arts community will also hold a town hall meeting on May 10 to introduce potential nominees to the arts community.

The NMP scheme was introduced in 1990 to provide alternative voices in Parliament.

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