Vivian Balakrishnan: Difference between revisions
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== Early life and pre-political career == |
== Early life and pre-political career == |
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Vivian Balakrishnan was born on 25 January 1961 to a Telugu father and [[Fuqing]] mother. |
Vivian Balakrishnan was born on 25 January 1961 to a Telugu father and [[Fuqing]] mother. |
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[[File:Vivian balakrishnan sec 4.jpg|thumb|]]He was educated at [[Anglo Chinese School]] (1968 - 1978) and [[National Junior College]] (1979 - 1980). In 1980, he was awarded the prestigious [[President's Scholar|President's Scholarship]] to study Medicine at the [[National University of Singapore]] (NUS). |
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He attended primary and secndary school at [[Anglo Chinese School]] and junior college at [[National Junior College]]. He was host of the Singapore 21 television series, 'Health Matters'', and was an active participant in the nationally-televised academic debate competitions of the 1970s and 1980s. He was a 1980 [[President's Scholar|President's Scholarship]] recipient. He studied medicine at the [[National University of Singapore]] and was part of the NUS Student Union, first serving as its president in 1983 and then later its chairman in 1985. He underwent postgraduate training for [[ophthalmology]]. He also served as a high-ranking officer in a [[Singapore Armed Forces]] combat hospital. |
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While in NUS, Balakrishnan was active in the Students' Union. From 1981-1983, he was elected as the President of the National University of Singapore Students' Union (NUSSU). Thereafter, he served as the Chairman of NUSSU from 1983-1984. |
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In the early 1990s he was an expatriate professional in the [[United Kingdom]], part of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]] and worked in pediatric ophthalmology at [[Moorfields Eye Hospital]]. He returned to Singapore and became medical director of the [[Singapore National Eye Centre]] in 1999. Government officials are eager to point out that all Singaporeans should hold this obviously highly talented minister in the most greatest esteem given it was only 18 months later that he became Chief Executive Officer of the [[Singapore General Hospital]] for 18 months; between 1997 and 2001, he was part of the Singapore Medical Association, the [[National Library Board]], the Singapore Broadcasting Authority Programme Advisory Committee and the National Volunteer Centre Committee. He retired from most of his positions after a successful entry into politics in the [[Singapore general election, 2001]]. |
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After receiving his [[MBBS]], he embarked on post-graduate specialist training in [[Ophthalmology]]. In 1991, he was admitted as a Fellow of the [[Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh]]. He went on to work at [[Moorfields Eye Hospital]], London, from 1993-1995, where he sub-specialized in Paediatric Ophthalmology. |
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He returned to work as a Consultant Ophthalmologist [[Singapore National Eye Centre]], where he was appointed Medical Director in January 1999. From June 2000, he became the [[Chief Executive Officer]] of the [[Singapore General Hospital]] for 18 months, until Dec 2001. In the 2001 General Election, Balakrishnan entered politics. |
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He also served as Commanding Officer of the 2nd Combat Support Hospital in the [[Singapore Armed Forces]]. |
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Earlier in life, he also hosted the televised Singapore 21 series, Health Matters, and was an active debater in the 1970s and 1980s during a period when school- and university-level debating competitions were regularly televised in Singapore. |
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Between 1997 and 2001, he was an active member of several associations and committees, the Singapore Medical Association, the [[National Library Board]], the Singapore Broadcasting Authority Programme Advisory Committee and the National Volunteer Centre Committee. |
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==Political rise== |
==Political rise== |
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Revision as of 00:16, 23 June 2011
Vivian Balakrishnan | |
|---|---|
 Vivian Balakrishnan speaking in 2008 | |
| Minister of the Environment and Water Resources | |
| Assumed office 21 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Yaacob Ibrahim |
| Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports | |
| In office 12 August 2004 – 20 May 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Yaacob Ibrahim |
| Succeeded by | Chan Chun Sing (acting minister) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 25, 1961 Singapore |
| Political party | People's Action Party |
Vivian Balakrishnan is a politician from Singapore. A member of the governing People's Action Party (PAP), he is currently the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. He first entered politics by winning uncontested his Member of Parliament (MP) seat for the historical Holland–Bukit Panjang GRC in the 2001 General Elections.[1] He also served as the Second Minister for the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts (MICA) until March 2008 and Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS)[2] until 2011. In the Singapore general election, 2011, his team beat the Singapore Democratic Party with 60.08% of the votes in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC. [3]
Early life and pre-political career
Vivian Balakrishnan was born on 25 January 1961 to a Telugu father and Fuqing mother.
He attended primary and secndary school at Anglo Chinese School and junior college at National Junior College. He was host of the Singapore 21 television series, 'Health Matters, and was an active participant in the nationally-televised academic debate competitions of the 1970s and 1980s. He was a 1980 President's Scholarship recipient. He studied medicine at the National University of Singapore and was part of the NUS Student Union, first serving as its president in 1983 and then later its chairman in 1985. He underwent postgraduate training for ophthalmology. He also served as a high-ranking officer in a Singapore Armed Forces combat hospital.
In the early 1990s he was an expatriate professional in the United Kingdom, part of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and worked in pediatric ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He returned to Singapore and became medical director of the Singapore National Eye Centre in 1999. Government officials are eager to point out that all Singaporeans should hold this obviously highly talented minister in the most greatest esteem given it was only 18 months later that he became Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore General Hospital for 18 months; between 1997 and 2001, he was part of the Singapore Medical Association, the National Library Board, the Singapore Broadcasting Authority Programme Advisory Committee and the National Volunteer Centre Committee. He retired from most of his positions after a successful entry into politics in the Singapore general election, 2001.
Political rise
Balakrishnan stated he was originally "skeptical of the PAP... like many younger Singaporeans, I felt an emotional dissonance with the PAP." He believed in ideals like free speech, egalitarianism, and separation of powers, and though he thinks his commitment to these values have not changed, he was driven to join the PAP by a need to pursue economic and political security for Singapore and to intervene in community affairs.[4]
Balakrishnan stated on his website that his mother and her parents were born into poverty, but nonetheless "worked hard", and this forms much of his "inner most feelings, values and attitudes... to poverty, to family, to social safety nets". He believes, "bad things can happen to decent people... they will need help, deserve help, and need hope. [But] one needs family support. Do not talk about MCYS first. It is all about discipline and hard work". He believes the younger generations, "born in the midst of plenty" spend too much time thinking how to spend the nation's wealth and "their inheritance". He believes that most social problems come not from "the lack of money" but "poverty of relationships". Thus he seeks a "compassionate society" but "a small, efficient Government, with low taxes" where philanthropists are free to donate money and effort into their desired social causes.[5]
Electoral issues
Balakrishnan was re-elected unopposed in the 2006 general elections in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.[6]
In 2007, he made the following statement in parliament "How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?", in response to Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Lily Neo’s calls for the government to increase public assistance to the low-income families given the rising cost of living.[7] He added that he was by no means claiming that the public assistance offering was a generous package but that he was designing a system where public assistance should be complemented by other sources of help.[8] In 2011, he said that his above statement to Lily Neo "would haunt" him "forever" in his political life and that "That statement I made was wrong."[9]
In the general elections in 2011, voters in his constituency were able to vote for the first time since its formation (Bukit Timah in particular had not seen a contested election since 1991). Balakrishnan was criticised by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) regarding the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympics (YOG) budget, in that it had exceeded the initial budget of S$104 million by three times.[10] The MCYS explained that the initial budget had been insufficient to meet the requirements of the Olympic event and that the YOG budget did not affect any of the Ministry's expenditures in other areas, such as helping the needy. YOG also generated S$60 million in additional tourism receipts.[11] This issue was brought up again by the SDP during the general elections.[12]
During the election campaigning, Balakrishnan said the SDP was "suppressing a certain YouTube video, which raises some very awkward questions about the agenda and motivations of the SDP and its candidates."[13] In a separate statement, he said, "Eventually, they will have to come out of the closet."[14] This turned out to be a video recording a forum on gay rights, in which SDP candidate Vincent Wijeysingha made a speech declaring, "I think the gay community has to rally ourselves. Perhaps one outcome of today's forum would be, for those of us who are interested, to come together to further consider how we can address the 377 issue as well as further rights issues in relation to gays and lesbians."
A few days later, the PAP team led by Balakrishnan issued the following statement: The video raises the question on whether Wijeysingha will now pursue this cause in the political arena and what is the SDP's position on the matter. Balakrishnan also asked the SDP if it was "promoting the gay cause" and noted "the discussion at the forum also touched on sex with boys and whether the age of consent for boys should be 14 years of age." [15] His question became controversial.[12] The Economist noted "social-networking sites filled up with the rebukes of Singaporeans disgusted at the PAP tactic."[16] Today published several letters from citizens on the issue.[17]
SDP members also rejected his comments stating, "We've been a very open party and we're very clear... we are not pursuing a gay agenda".[18] The New Paper released a story with the sensational headline: ''Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP?"[19] On April 28 Balakrishnan "called for a truce" and told the press: "there is "no need" to further discuss [the] video". He denied having employed a "smear tactic" when he brought up the issue, arguing that his question about the SDP's "gay agenda" was a "legitimate question".[20]
On 7 May, Balakrishnan's team won their first contested election with 60.1% of the votes cast with 90.5% turnout.
On 21 May 2011, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan was appointed as Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/content/cabinet/appointments.html
He took over from Yaacob Ibrahim, who moved on to the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.
Lawmaking and policymaking activity
Acts of Parliament initiated
- Competition Act
- Community Care Endowment Fund Act
- Mental Capacity Act and the International Child Abduction Act
Amendments initiated
- Children Development Co-Savings Act
- Children and Young Persons Act
- Women’s Charter
- Charities Act
- Hindu Endowment Board
- Postal Services, Animals and Birds Act
- Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority and Sale of Food Act.
Ministry activities
Under Balakrishnan, MCYS :
- established of the Comcare Endowment Fund
- established the Central Youth Guidance Office
- created a formal accreditation process for social workers
MCYS under Balakrishnan also created the following government organisations:
- National Family Council,
- Charities Council
- Community Foundation
- National Steering Committee on Racial & Religious Harmony
- the National Integration Council
- the Centre for 3rd Age
- the National Council against Problem Gambling.
While at MICA, he was involved with the design and rollout of the Next Generation National Broadband Network.
References
- ^ http://www.elections.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2001.html
- ^ Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan profile. cabinet.gov.sg, April 2008.
- ^ http://www.elections.gov.sg/elections_results2011.html
- ^ Balakrishnan, Vivian. "Why I am in politics".
- ^ Balakrishnan, Vivian. "FAMILY HISTORY - IMPACT ON VALUES AND ATTITUDES".
- ^ http://www.ge.sg/ge2006/walkover/
- ^ Rajaram, Chitra (4 May 2011). "GE: Balakrishnan on YOG, teammates counter SDP's proposals". Channel News Asia. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ "ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE FOR THE FINANCIAL YEAR 1ST APRIL, 2007 TO 31ST MARCH, 2007". Parliament of Singapore debate transcript.
- ^ "PAP is facing a tough election: Vivian". YourSDP. TODAYonline. Retrieved 5 May 2011.
- ^ "SDP will hold Dr Vivian Balakrishnan publicly accountable over YOG". YourSDP. Singapore Democratic Party. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Koh, Peng Keng (10 April 2011). "Why the YOG was a success". Today Online. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ a b Paulo, Derrick (7 May 2011). "Drama over video, YOG and economic policies". Today Online. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Xuanwei, Teo (25 April 2011). "Netizens attempt to identify video SDP accused of 'suppressing'". Today Online. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ The Straits Times. 20 April 2011.
{{cite news}}:|access-date=requires|url=(help); Missing or empty|title=(help) - ^ "PAP on Wijeysingha video: Candidates should be upfront about motives". Today Online. 25 April 2011. Retrieved 15 May 2011.
- ^ "Low expectations". The Economist. 12 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Li, Lisa Shi-En (26 April 2011). "PAP's statement on Wijeysingha disappointing". Today (Singapore newspaper). Retrieved 17 May 2011.
- ^ Neo, Chai Chin (26 April 2011). "PAP: Will Wijeysingha pursue gay agenda? SDP: No, we will not". Today Online. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
- ^ Sim Bryna, Melvin Singh (16 May 2011). "Is Singapore ready for a GAY MP?". The New Paper. Retrieved 26 April 2011.
- ^ Mokhtar, Faris (28 April 2011). "Vivian Balakrishnan: Let's not talk about the video anymore". Yahoo News. Retrieved 16 May 2011.
External links
- Singapore Cabinet profile
- Parliament of Singapore profile
- Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (Singapore)
- Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
- Facebook Page
- Vivian Balakrishnan's Blog
 Current members of the Cabinet of Singapore | |
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| Prime Minister | |
| Deputy Prime Minister(s) | |
| Senior Minister(s) | |
| Cabinet Minister(s) | |
Effective from 18 January 2024 | |
- Use dmy dates from August 2010
- Members of the Cabinet of Singapore
- Members of the Parliament of Singapore
- People's Action Party politicians
- Singaporean doctors
- Ophthalmologists
- Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons
- President's Scholars
- Anglo-Chinese School alumni
- National University of Singapore alumni
- Singaporean people of Tamil descent
- Singaporean Christians
- 1961 births
- Living people