R Sinnakaruppan
Political History of Singapore 1965–1985,
Accession Number 003190
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 2
Total Reels
- Lily Tan (Mrs)
Interviewer
- 01:54:57
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 2
Metadata
- 3 Jul 2007
Recording Date
- 00:57:17
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
Family came to Singapore from India after World War II; born in India because mother went with maternal grandfather to India; came back to Singapore at age of 5/6 years old. Lived in rented landed property off Rangoon Road. Paternal grandfather Chinnakaruppan was highly regarded as a community leader. Interviewee was named after him; parents encouraged interviewee to serve the community. Father worked in a bank and later started trading business shuttling between Singapore and Tamil Naidu, south India.
Was one of the pioneer students in new Peck Seah Primary School; inspired by teachers who taught him leadership skills. Was Head Prefect and classmates were Chinese and Indians whose fathers worked in the Tanjong Pagar harbour. Attended secondary and pre-university at Raffles Institution (RI), Grange Road. RI offered well rounded education. Studied hard and took part in sports and extra-curricula activities. Lim Hwee Hua, Raymond Lim, Peter Ong, Ahmad Khalis were in same cohort. Was interested in Geography and Economics; chose engineering because it offered better career prospect. Served two and half years NS; became Captain; experience was fantastic.
In 1991, enrolled to study engineering in University of Singapore; engineering faculty moved to Nanyang Technological Institute (NTI); became pioneer batch of engineering students in NTI. Became President of Students’ Union; university hockey captain and represented university in athletics; enjoyed living in hostels. After graduation, awarded Commonwealth Scholarship to do MBA in robotics in Loughborough University of Technology. Studying in UK was a different experience.
Volunteered in the Hindu Endowment Board; helped in sports club. With J Y Pillay committee chairman, started Action Committee on Indian Education. Helped in Kuo Chuan constituency; got along well with grassroots leaders as could speak Hokkien. In 1990, was called up for 3 interviews within a month; become PAP candidate in 1991 general elections in Kampong Glam Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Moulmein ward was like a home coming for interviewee.
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Reel/Disc 2 of 2
Metadata
- 3 Jul 2007
Recording Date
- 00:57:40
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
At weekly Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS), recollected case of a distraught suicidal single lady; other problems at MPS; Attended Town Council meetings with fellow MPs; National Day dinners in 4 wards of the GRC. Dr Yeo Ning Hong was minister in charge of interviewee’s GRC. Dr Wong Kwei Chong was his senior and contemporary MPs were Dr Lily Neo and Lew Syn Pau. Attended many constituency functions; focus was systematic upgrading programmes. Started Neighbourhood Committee in HDB estates and Private Estate Residents’ Committee. When interviewee retired after second term, Moulmein had eight upgrading programmes. Continued with house visits and walkabouts fortnightly or monthly to get feedback.
Swearing-in ceremony in old parliament house; moved into new parliament house. As a 31-year old new Member of Parliament (MP), was nervous when making maiden speech. Older MP, Lau Teik Soon gave interviewee valuable advice. Was briefed by parliamentary staff on procedures. Was in the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education and National Development; in parliament brought up issues on education; the rising property prices in 1996; raise the wages of cleaners/environmental workers. Made hard hitting speech in parliament on the rising speculative property prices in the budget debate; this resulted in PM Lee Kuan Yew’s announcement of curbs on property price speculation.
As MP/backbencher and Deputy Chairman, GPC Education, wanted to improve schools; improve quality of teachers; looked at polytechnic education; also sat in university boards and councils. Feedback indicated that many were unhappy with school ranking system. New education minister Tharman Shamugaratnam made some changes. Graduate Women’s scheme in 1980s; together with Vivian Balakrishnan, wrote a hard-hitting letter to then minister for education Dr Tony Tan. Compulsory primary education was debated in parliament which was later implemented. Favored home schooling; schools provide children with social skills. Our education system is too examination driven and forces children to acquire more knowledge than is necessary; need to update examination system.
Good rapport with fellow MPs; attended ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Organisation (AIPO) and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA). Appointed Assistant Secretary General NTUC; President Ong Teng Cheong was a gracious host. Retired from politics in 2001; involved in education business. Worried about the social divide of rich and poor in Singapore; would like Singapore to be a City of Distinction and challenged to defy gravity of having done well in last 30 years and will continue to do well meeting future challenges.
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