Ivan Lim

Revision as of 12:42, 28 June 2020 by Dayana Rizal (talk | contribs)

Ivan Lim Shaw Chuan (born 1978) is a general manager at Keppel Offshore and Marine.[1] In June 2020, he was announced as a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for the 2020 General Elections.[2]

Ivan Lim
Ivan Lim.jpg
Born1978
EducationMaster of Engineering (MEng - Marine Engineering)
Alma materUniversity of Newcastle Upon Tyne

Background

Early life & family

Ivan Lim started working for Keppel Offshore and Marine at 16 years old.[3] He worked to support himself and his family who had been living in a rental flat the time.[4] In a public address on 24 June 2020, Ivan shared that his father was a Chinese-educated fishmonger and his mother worked as a baby-sitter for "more than 20 years" to supplement the family's income.[5]

Education

Ivan received a scholarship from Keppel Offshore and Marine to pursue his diploma and degree.[6] He went to Singapore Polytechnic and later graduated from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne with a first-class honours degree in Marine Engineering.[7] According to his LinkedIn profile, he has furthered his studies, attaining a Master of Engineering.[8]

General Elections 2020

Ivan Lim was introduced as a People Action Party (PAP) candidate on 24 June 2020.[9] He says:

"I am concerned about elderly residents and children who require social assistance, especially those with special needs."

He was a volunteer in the Henderson area and was expected to run for Jurong GRC.[10]

Online allegations

Several netizens spoke out against Ivan Lim's character and past conduct on social media. A Facebook user by the name of Bryant Wong Hai Chew shared an incident during which Ivan Lim was the Commanding Officer (CO) of his former National Service (NS) Combat Engineer Battalion. Bryant Wong, as an acting Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) at the time, recounted Ivan Lim's reaction to having platoon and section commanders in the Battalion HQ tentage. An excerpt from the post reads:

... using a condescending voice, he (Ivan Lim) reminded all that they are just platoon and section commanders and they were not supposed to set foot in the Battalion HQ tentage. I was disgusted. His action and speech were simply that of an elitist.[11]

Following other similar anecdotes from former schoolmates, NSmen and colleagues,[12] netizens had also started a petition on Change.org to remove Ivan Lim as a PAP candidate.[13]

Withdrawal

On 27 June 2020, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat urged Ivan Lim to address the allegations. He says:

"I have emphasised that integrity and character are very important in our candidates. And if there are any complaints, it should be properly clarified."[14]

Ivan Lim released a statement addressing the concerns on 27 June 2020[15] and withdrew from the elections later that day.[16]

References/ Citations

  1. Choo, Daryl. "GE2020: ‘Important for candidates to prove themselves’, says Masagos on PAP new face Ivan Lim". TODAY. June 26, 2020. Accessed on 27 June 2020.
  2. Ibid.
  3. Nabilah Awang, Ng Jun Sen and Daryl Choo. "GE2020: PAP unveils 8 new candidates, including UOB banker and former People's Association chief". TODAY. June 24, 2020. Accessed on 26 June 2020.
  4. "Singapore GE2020: Profiles of PAP's new candidates". The Straits Times. June 25, 2020. Accessed on 26 June 2020.
  5. People's Action Party. "PAP's New Candidate: Ivan Lim". Facebook. June 24, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  6. Nabilah Awang, Ng Jun Sen and Daryl Choo. "GE2020: PAP unveils 8 new candidates, including UOB banker and former People's Association chief". TODAY. June 24, 2020. Accessed on 26 June 2020.
  7. "Singapore GE2020: Profiles of PAP's new candidates". The Straits Times. June 25, 2020. Accessed on 26 June 2020.
  8. "Ivan Lim". LinkedIn. Accessed on 26 June 2020.
  9. People's Action Party. "PAP's New Candidate: Ivan Lim". Facebook. June 24, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  10. Lim Min Zhang. "Singapore GE 2020: PAP new face Ivan Lim withdraws from election following allegations about his past behaviour". The Straits Times. June 27, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  11. Romero, Anna Maria . "Netizens question whether new candidate Ivan Lim is fit to contest in the GE, but PAP stands by their man". June 26, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  12. "Singapore GE2020: PAP candidate Ivan Lim responds to criticisms, says he's 'determined to stay the course and to serve' if elected". The Straits Times. June 27, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  13. "Petition to remove Ivan Lim from GE". Change.org. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  14. TODAYOnline. "GE2020: Heng Swee Keat calles for PAP new candidate Ivan Lim to address criticism". YouTube. June 27, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  15. "Singapore GE2020: PAP candidate Ivan Lim responds to criticisms, says he's 'determined to stay the course and to serve' if elected". The Straits Times. June 27, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.
  16. Lim Min Zhang. "Singapore GE 2020: PAP new face Ivan Lim withdraws from election following allegations about his past behaviour". The Straits Times. June 27, 2020. Accessed on 28 June 2020.