Janice Koh wants to wayang in parliament as NMP

SINGAPORE – Local television and stage actress, Ms Janice Koh, has expressed her interest to become a Nominated MP (NMP) to represent the arts community in Parliament.Theatre and television actress Janice Koh is stepping forward as a potential representative of the arts community for the NMP position. (Screengrab: YouTube)Singapore actress Janice Koh has put herself forward as a possible nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).Announcing her decision to do so on Facebook on Sunday afternoon, Janice Koh said she is responding to the need for nominees to step up ahead of the 8 December deadline, when nominations from members of the public close.

Pointing out that interest in stepping up to the NMP post to represent the arts community has been “lukewarm”, she wrote, “I do think it is important to have representation, and have only JUST decided to put myself forward as a possible nominee, in the event no one steps forward.”Janice Koh added that she hopes to be able to build up on the work that the most recent arts NMP Audrey Wong has done, find out relevant concerns that have been raised, and have face-to-face sessions with the various art sectors.Wong, whose term ended on 19 April this year, does not intend to stand for a second term as NMP.

Sharing her intentions, Janice Koh wrote, “I think it’s about how the NMP can make our marginalised voices heard in Parliament, to serve as a check on the work of the government that has impact on the cultural sector, and to be that cultural conscience for Singapore, which I find so lacking in the chamber.”Janice Koh also expressed hope that her move will “start the ball rolling” and motivate others to step up to fill the NMP role for the arts community, so that the Special Select Committee of Parliament will have a more diverse range of candidates to choose from.Janice Koh’s announcement has since triggered positive response from the arts community.

Theatre and television actress Peggy Ferroa wrote in a comment, “Janice, wonderful that you are stepping up. Many artists want things done for them but are they doing anything for themselves to move forward? Sometimes they don’t clearly articulate and clarify what they want, so nothing seems to please them.”An event is also being organised to collect signatures in support of Janice Koh’s application to the NMP post. More details can be found here.Other than Janice Koh, Fencing Singapore president Nicholas Fang, Singapore Management University assistant law professor Eugene Tan and private investment manager Kurt Wee have also flagged interest in being an NMP.

Janice Koh is a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore, and a stage and television actress.

Janice Koh Education:Janice graduated from the Theatre Studies and Drama programme at Victoria Junior College and the National University of Singapore with an Honours degree in Theatre Studies. She also has a Masters degree in Theatre with Distinction from Goldsmith’s College, London.

Janice Koh  Career:As a stage actress, she won the coveted DBS Life! Theatre Award for Best Actress for her performance as Catherine in David Auburn’s Proof in 2003.

On television, Janice is well known for her roles in The Pupil and Fighting Spiders.

Janice Koh  Politics:In 2012, Janice was selected to be one of nine new Nominated Member of Parliament (NMPs) in Singapore. She was nominated by the Media, Arts and Sports community and was chosen from 47 eligible candidates.