Charles_Chong

Charles Chong

Charles Chong

Former Singaporean politician

Charles Chong You Fook (Chinese: 张有福; pinyin: Zhāng Yǒufú; born 24 June 1953) is a Singaporean former politician who served as Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore between 2011 and 2020. He served as Acting Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore from 7 August to 11 September 2017, following the resignation of Halimah Yacob on 7 August 2017.

Quick Facts Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore, Prime Minister ...
In this Chinese name, the family name is Chong.

Education

Chong was educated at St. Michael's School and Saint Joseph's Institution before enrolling into Sydney Technical College to study aircraft engineering.

Political career

Chong represented Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in Yishun East from 1988 to 1991, Eunos GRC between 1991 and 1996 in Pasir Ris, Pasir Ris GRC in Elias from 1997 to 2001, Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC in Punggol Central from 2001 to 2011, Joo Chiat Single Member Constituency (SMC) from 2011 to 2015, and Punggol East SMC from 2015 to 2020.

In the 2006 general elections, the PAP contested Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC against the Singapore Democratic Alliance. The PAP won with 68.70% of the votes in this GRC. In the 2001 general elections, the GRC was not contested and resulted in a walkover for Chong and his party in this GRC.

Chong contested the Joo Chiat SMC in the 2011 general elections after its incumbent MP, Chan Soo Sen, retired from politics.[2] He won 9,666 or 51.02% of the votes against Yee Jenn Jong from the Workers' Party. Chong was elected Deputy Speaker in the 12th Parliament.

In the 2015 general elections, the PAP fielded Chong in the opposition-held Punggol East SMC and unseated the incumbent Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party with 51.76% of the vote.

In Dec 2016, Chong announced he was diagnosed with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis three years ago and had a liver transplant on 1 Dec 2016, which his younger son Glenn, donated part of his liver. He was given 8 weeks Medical Leave and his duty was covered by Teo Chee Hean during his absence.[3]

On 11 January 2018, Chong was appointed chairman of the Select Committee on Deliberate Online Falsehoods.[4]

He is the longest serving PAP back-bencher in Parliament and served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Singapore, as well as Acting Speaker when Halimah Yacob quit Parliament to stand for elected presidency.

Chong announced his retirement from politics on 27 June 2020.[5]

Personal life

Chong is married and has two children. He is a Roman Catholic.

References

  1. [1]
    Chia, Lianne (11 September 2017). "Tan Chuan-Jin becomes Singapore's 10th Speaker of Parliament". Archived from the original on 11 September 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  2. [2]
    Choo, Evelyn (27 March 2011). "GE: Charles Chong to stand in Joo Chiat SMC". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 28 March 2011.
  3. [3]
    Au-Yong, Rachel (21 December 2016). "Punggol East MP Charles Chong recovering from liver transplant; son donated part of his liver".
  4. [4]
    Yuen, Sin (11 January 2018). "Select Committee on fake news named; includes two ministers, WP's Pritam Singh". The Straits Times.
  5. [5]
    Sholihyn, Ilyas (27 June 2020). "Longest-serving PAP backbencher Charles Chong to retire". Asiaone. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
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