TOH Keng Kiat (Dr.)
Political History of Singapore 1985–2005,
Accession Number 004886
- Oral History Centre
Source
- 3
Total Reels
- John Choo
Interviewer
- 02:33:04
Total Running Time
- English
Language
Copyright Notice
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Reel/Disc 1 of 3
Metadata
- 23 Jun 2023
Recording Date
- 00:52:38
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
How he was first introduced to Mensa and became its inaugural President in Singapore. Outreach to schools. The egg drop competition. Working with the Association of Muslim Professionals (AMP). Setting up the Mensa Singapore committee. Decision to step down as President in 1993. Connection between innate intellectual ability and political activity. [15:37] Need for emotional intelligence and social responsibility.
Early entry into community service providing medical assistance to monsoon flood evacuees at a Sennett Estate community centre. Involvement in the Rotary Club and the Christian Brothers' Schools Board. Why he did not enter party politics. How he became a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP), nominated by Prof Lim Pin and Dr Robert Loh. Impressions of the NMP scheme. [29:11] The Maintenance of Parents Bill. Changing societal values and its relation to an ageing population. Swearing-in ceremony. What he hoped to achieve as an NMP. Maiden involvement in Parliament. [45:26] On an example of the costliness of medical bills that he raised. How he wrote his speeches. Drawing from patient anecdotes and life experiences.
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Reel/Disc 3 of 3
Metadata
- 14 Jul 2023
Recording Date
- 01:04:44
Running Time
- MP3
Format
- Open Access
Conditions Governing Access
Synopsis
The Rotary Club. Involvement in the fight against polio. Had become a member on invitation of Dr Philbert Chin. Expansion of the Clubs in Singapore. Foundation of Rotary Clubs Singapore (FRCS) and the establishment of its Family Service Centre in 1997. Rotaract and Interact Clubs. Relationships with twinned Clubs in other countries. President Ma Ying-jeou and insights learnt about Taiwan. Rotary International's 90th Convention held in Singapore in 1999. [15:00] Rotary Anns. Decision to admit the Club's first female member, Mrs Fang Ai Lian, in 1998. More details on the Convention. The role of District Governor and the time needed to commit to Rotary activities. Club leadership. Presidential themes. Perceived a decline of Rotary Club membership quality over the years. Relationship between the Rotary Club and politics internationally and in Singapore. Thoughts on length of presidential tenure. [29:56] How he was approached to be Chairperson of the Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) for the Aljunied-Kembangan Division in the 2000s. Served with MPs Dr Toh See Kiat (until 2001) and Dr Ong Seh Hong (after 2001). Crossed paths with Dr Toh and other luminaries at the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE). Investigation of the lead content in century eggs. Working relationships with Dr Toh and Dr Ong. Involvement in resolution of municipal issues. 2003 SARS crisis. [45:45] Comparison with the 2020-2023 COVID-19 pandemic. Grassroots activities during the SARS crisis. Impact of NMP experience on his CCC Chairperson duties. 2006 General Elections and the James Gomez saga. Differences observed between campaign operations of the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Workers' Party (WP). His association with the PAP. People whose personal ambitions affect their service to the community. Screening processes. Submitted a character reference for Dr Balaji Sadasivan when the latter was to be an MP. Further thoughts on the James Gomez saga. Reflections on his community activities.
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