GE2025: WP unveils 3 more new candidates, including start-up co-founder, ex-US Navy administrator
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
WP chief Pritam Singh and chair Sylvia Lim, with the new candidates, (from left) Mr Michael Thng, Ms Paris V. Parameswari and Mr Jackson Au, at the press conference at Workers' Party Geylang headquarters on April 20.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Follow topic:
SINGAPORE - The WP has introduced its final batch of new candidates for the May 3 General Election.
The three new faces were unveiled on April 20 at a press conference at the party headquarters in Geylang – the fourth briefing in as many days.
They are:
Mr Jackson Au Chee Meng, 35, a senior manager of corporate affairs and marketing with the London Stock Exchange Group;
Ms Paris V. Parameswari, 51, a former US Navy security administrator; and
Mr Michael Thng Quan Wei, 37, the chief operating officer of a technology start-up.
With Nomination Day just days away on April 23, this latest batch of new faces takes the number of WP candidates making their political debut to 14.
WP secretary-general Pritam Singh and party chair Sylvia Lim, who were at the press conference to introduce the new candidates, did not indicate which constituencies the candidates would be fielded in.
Mr Singh was asked about the calibre of WP’s new candidates, if its slate of new faces had improved compared with past slates, and whether the number of people interested in joining the party and standing for election had increased significantly.
Replying, Mr Singh said: “We are always on the lookout for people who’ve got that desire to contribute and want to get involved in public service in a serious way.”
He added: “In terms of their calibre, it’s a broad range of individuals from different walks of life, different age groups, different backgrounds and different experiences. And I think that is important in so far as what the Workers’ Party has put forward to Singaporeans for this election.”
Jackson Au Chee Meng, 35
Mr Jackson Au sits on the executive committee of the WP’s youth wing. He is also a core member of the party’s media team.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Mr Au, who leads regional communications and corporate affairs at the London Stock Exchange Group, has been volunteering with the WP in Aljunied GRC since 2022.
He was the legislative assistant to former Aljunied GRC MP Leon Perera, and subsequently became the coordinator for the constituency’s Serangoon division after Mr Perera resigned in July 2023.
Mr Au, who has recently been pictured with the party’s Marine Parade GRC team, sits on the executive committee of the WP’s youth wing. He is also a core member of the party’s media team.
Speaking to reporters on April 20, Mr Au said he believes strongly in greater transparency and press freedom, and cited concerns over how political advertising is done here.
“I believe this is important in speaking truth to power and holding our institutions accountable. I want to guard against the risks of executive overreach through laws such as Pofma,” he added, referring to Singapore’s fake news law – the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act.
Mr Au said he also hopes to fight for young Singaporeans. “I feel the weight of pessimism that many in my generation carry,” he added.
Paris V. Parameswari, 51
Ms Paris V. Parameswari, a former US Navy security administrator, resigned from her job in March to run as a WP candidate in the coming general election.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Ms Paris, a former US Navy security administrator, resigned from her job in March to run as a WP candidate in the coming general election.
She spent six years with the Republic of Singapore Navy as a uniformed personnel.
She then spent 18 years in the United States Navy covering security-related duties, a role which was based in Singapore.
A volunteer with the WP since May 2021, Ms Paris said: “I wanted to be part of a dynamic team that works tirelessly for Singaporeans, and the Workers’ Party team asks questions fearlessly in Parliament.”
If elected, she said, she will advocate that former offenders have better job opportunities and that the social stigma placed on them be removed.
Ms Paris added that she intends to place focus on students in Singapore, and be an advocate for student-life balance.
A volunteer with the Singapore Police Force’s Psychological Unit and the Singapore Prison Service, Ms Paris said: “I’ve met people from all walks of life, and I’m able to easily interact with them and know their concerns. This will be my contribution to the team if elected.”
Michael Thng Quan Wei, 37
Mr Michael Thng, a master’s graduate from Harvard Kennedy School, has contributed to the WP for more than 15 years.
ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
Mr Thng, a master’s graduate from Harvard Kennedy School, has contributed to the WP for more than 15 years.
He is the chief operating officer of a technology start-up, and was previously a principal at management consulting firm Boston Consulting Group from 2016 to 2022.
He began volunteering in 2011 for the WP, helping the party’s East Coast team. He has also been involved in parliamentary work and house visits.
In recent years, he primarily supported incumbent Sengkang GRC MP He Ting Ru in various grassroots and policy efforts.
Mr Thng said: “I’ve been able to see first-hand how impactful the Workers’ Party has been at shaping policy in Singapore, especially for communities that are often overlooked.”
He cited examples, including equalising support for single mothers and improving access to housing for singles.
Noting the importance of policies that reflect the desires of Singaporeans, Mr Thng said: “Stronger systems aren’t built overnight, but they also don’t build themselves, which is why I stepped forward hoping to help build the momentum that many of my friends and colleagues at the Workers’ Party have been at for decades.
“Hopefully, I’ll be able to do my part to shape a future that would work for Singaporeans and will work for Singapore.”
