Following the likes of Donald Trump and Arnold Schwarzenegger, Internet personality Xiaxue (Wendy Cheng) is the latest non-politician to swagger into the role of public servant.
On the 1st of April, she announced her intentions to run for the position of Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP).
It wasn’t an April Fools joke.
Some were confident she would make a good NMP.
Judging by her uncharacteristically diplomatic answers, we think she’ll make for a fine politician.
I guess I didn’t think about it that way. As I got older, I got more interested in politics and the way the country is run. I kinda asked myself… Beyond writing about my views, is there any way else I can effect real change? Someone told me I should try being an NMP (way less criteria than an MP) so here I am!
2. What is the first non-politically correct thing you plan to say in Parliament?
You have me in a catch-22 here. If I tell you then the select committee may not appoint me. But if I say I won’t say anything politically incorrect then my followers won’t support my move to be NMP. Therefore I decline to answer.
3. How long do you think you will last before the camera catches you laughing at what someone said?
Is laughing forbidden in parliament? I’m more concerned about yawning tbh.
4. You just made “allegations” about the government floating “test balloons” with their announcement of a possible GST hike. Grace Fu demands you apologise to Parliament. What do you say/do?
I don’t even know what test balloons are so I won’t make an allegation like that. But thanks, I googled it and learnt something new.
5. You’re a blogger and content producer. Now you know that new legislation to counter deliberate online falsehoods is about to be introduced. What is your take on this?
What’s false to you isn’t false to others, so how like that? Even a statement like “Caitlyn Jenner used to be a man” can be debated about nowadays.
I suppose there is a truth to that. You can speak up against someone, but do it in a tactful manner.
7. If there’s one person you had to spend an entire Parliament session smiling creepily at, who would you pick?
Dr Lily Neo – she’s hot.
8. The Government passes new laws that ban users who park their bikes illegally from renting from all operators. Will you finally tell Singaporeans on national television that you don’t deserve nice things?
No lah, the well-behaving majority shouldn’t answer for the crimes of a few. Besides, it’s a bicycle not a free BMW, a bit far fetched to call it “nice”.
9. You have to pick one marginalised group to campaign for: sex workers, foreign construction workers, or domestic workers. Who do you pick?
Domestic workers. I think the government can provide some courses for domestic workers to learn better techniques for how to deal with the elderly (for example if they have dementia) or dealing with kids with special needs (for example how to handle a autistic meltdown). The DFWs with specialised skills can then ask for higher salaries.
10. Now that you’re in Parliament, are you going to get a pob (political bob)?
No I won’t. I am my hair.
