The People’s Action Party (PAP) has appointed two new branch chairs to serve the needs of residents in the Eunos and Paya Lebar divisions of Aljunied GRC.
Jagathishwaran Rajo, a 37-year-old trade unionist, has been appointed Chair of PAP Eunos branch. He is joined by Kenny Sim Mong Keang, a 55-year-old Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of computer and electronics manufacturing firm Serial Achieva.
Mr Sim will lead the Paya Lebar branch with effect from August 12.
Mr Jagathishwaran replaces bank executive Chua Eng Leong while Mr Sim takes over from lawyer Alex Yeo.
Jagathishwaran believes in the values of respect, equality, and support for all
As a unionist, Mr Jagathishwaran champions empowering freelancers and self-employed persons to create a sustainable and collaborative community of independent workers in Singapore.
He is executive secretary for the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Staff Union and assistant director at NTUC’s Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit.
He is also principal industrial relations officer for the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association (Singapore).
Mr Jagathishwaran believes in the values of respect, equality, and support for all. These beliefs underpin his dedication towards building communities and fostering a more inclusive and caring Singapore, especially for vulnerable groups.
He has been a branch activist in Zhenghua division of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC since 2009. For eight years, he was the Branch Secretary, playing an instrumental role in organising both branch and party activities.
Volunteering within the community, tirelessly advocating for wider and more diverse support for the less privileged, especially seniors and low-income families, is important to Mr Jagathishwaran. He also champions mental wellbeing in the community through collaborations and dialogues that spotlight the importance of self-care and building resilience.
Kenny Sim is guided by the belief that ‘it is more blessed to give than to receive’
Kenny Sim is an active community volunteer who is guided by the belief that “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. He wants to uplift the lives of the disadvantaged and ensure those in need are not alone.
He first volunteered at his alma mater – Hua Yi Secondary School, before becoming an activist in the PAP Woodlands division in 2015.
He subsequently volunteered in Bukit Timah division, where he served as the branch’s vice-chairman and was also chairman of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC).
As chairman of Cheng Hong Welfare Services Society, an IPC-registered charity, he has worked tirelessly to introduce new programmes to help the underprivileged, including Singapore’s first free traditional Chinese medicine clinic for children and a gym for seniors.
In addition, he is honorary secretary and chairman of Chinese clan association Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan’s local and international affairs committee.
Married with a son, Mr Sim is also passionate about promoting entrepreneurship. In 2016, he established the first Teochew Entrepreneur Awards through the Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan. In 2018, he established the ASEAN Teochew Entrepreneur Awards.
In separate Facebook posts, Mr Sim and Mr Jagathishwaran thanked their predecessors and said they were honoured to join their new branches.
Mr Jagathishwaran said: “I am looking forward to working alongside team Eunos to engage and serve our residents. Please feel free to approach me when you see me in the neighbourhood.”
Mr Sim said: “I am honoured to join Team Paya Lebar and committed to serve the residents of Paya Lebar to the best of my ability.”
Mr Chua and Mr Yeo will continue to serve as advisors to their respective branches, helping to ensure a smooth leadership transition. In separate Facebook posts, they expressed gratitude for having served the residents in their wards for 12 and 8 years respectively and confidence in their successors.
Mr Chua said he remains firmly committed to serving Singaporeans and will continue contributing to the party where needed.
Mr Yeo said “[The Paya Lebar team] never lost our resolve to continue serving Paya Lebar residents daily, regardless of results or challenges. A promise given is a promise kept.”
