Chen Show Mao parliament speech

I felt that Chen Show Mao’s speech was worth the listen. It’s pretty long. The English speech is about 13 minutes, but I like his measured and thoughtful way of speaking. So glad someone finally uploaded it on YouTube.

It was impressive when Chen Show Mao expressed, that as an opposition MP, he is not an enemy of the government, but a Singaporean and a patriot. In parliment we always see the Opposition singled out as the enemy and I don’t think it’s healthy that way. I’d rather see a more united Parliment where everyone may have differing views but they are working together for the people they serve.

In terms of transportation, healthcare, education and housing, Chen Show Mao raised that he feels that Singaporeans have been underserved. And Chen Show Mao felt that such enhancement should be looked upon not just as expenditure for the term, but as investments in human capital. Chen Show Mao also expressed that taking good care of our elders, who built the nation, is the right thing to do. He added that people are the real wealth of the nation.

Political office should be a calling and a privilege: Chen Show Mao

SINGAPORE: Opposition MP Chen Show Mao said political office should be a calling and a privilege, not a burden or a sacrifice.Speaking in Parliament, Chen Show Mao said while the committee’s recommendations were a step in the right direction, the Worker’s Party had its own proposals on how ministerial salary should be worked out.

Chen Show Mao, J.D. (simplified Chinese: 陈硕茂; traditional Chinese: 陳碩茂; pinyin: Chén Shuòmào; born 1961) is a Singaporean politician and lawyer. He is a member of the opposition Workers’ Party, and has been a Member of Parliament for the Aljunied Group Representation Constituency since 7 May 2011. He represents the Paya Lebar ward, replacing PAP’s Cynthia Phua.

Chen Show Mao was born in Taiwan and moved to Singapore at the age of 11. He studied at Nanyang Primary School, Catholic High School and the Anglo-Chinese School. Chen Show Mao was the president of the students’ council at National Junior College and graduated as the top student in Singapore for the 1979 “A” level examinations,scoring straight As in Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics B, as well as A1s for General Paper and Chinese. Although Chen Show Mao had yet to become a Singapore Citizen, he chose to serve National Service. During National Service, Chen Show Mao served as an infantry platoon commander at the Fifth Singapore Infantry Regiment (5SIR) and as Brigade Adjutant, or DYS1, at the headquarters of the Third Singapore Infantry Brigade (3SIB). He took up citizenship in 1986, six years after serving National Service.

Despite graduating as the top student for the 1979 “A” level examinations, Chen Show Mao did not gain admission into the local medical school. Thereupon, he pursued his undergraduate studies with major in Economics at Harvard University. Chen Show Mao graduated from Harvard University in 1986 and from Corpus Christi College, Oxford University in 1988, where he was a Rhodes Scholar.In 1992 Chen Show Mao received his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School and in 2005 received his M.A. from Corpus Christi College, Oxford University.