NMP Syed Harun Alhabsyi

There was news yesterday that Syed Harun, who was a Nominated Member of Parliament, had resigned before the end of his term. The intense speculation is that he will be running as a PAP candidate in the upcoming elections probably in May.

There is some criticism about this news because it is said the NMP scheme was intended to identify independent and non partisan citizens to be in Parliament and speak their mind. It is said that having appointed them as NMP and immediately fielding them as a PAP candidate without any cooling off period might end up discrediting this scheme.

I do understand this argument. But I can also understand why a new PM would want the best people on his team. He would have observed them as NMPs and then decided that they are capable and that their hearts are in the right place and invited them to stand.  He would want to give them an opportunity to serve in a larger capacity rather than simply disappear after the end of their term as a NMP. Ultimately it is better that the best people are put up to serve. To not tap on them simply on the ground that they were once an NMP is like shooting oneself in the foot.

I must say I had the opportunity to meet up with Harun last November. I was given his name and I invited him to a dinner without knowing him. We messaged each other and he graciously accepted my invite. He then called me and suggested we meet for breakfast. That turned out to be a lovely 2 hour session. We met at a cafe in Kampong Glam. I enjoyed talking to him and found him sound, intelligent and a very likeable person. He comes from a humble background and he has a genuine interest in helping people. We shared similar interests and views on a range of topics. He is a people person, is likeable and would do well as a Member of Parliament and serve his residents.