Holding The Centre

She's galvanised Parliament with her impassioned speeches and become the voice of youth for Singapore. Simon Tay speaks to outgoing NMP Kuik Shiao-Yin about bridging the gap with millennials, exchanging power for humility and staking the political middle ground.

- Charmaine Chan

Being given official licence to eavesdrop on a conversation is an interesting experience – especially when it involves an ex-Nominated Member of Parliament (ex-NMP), in the form of noted author and intellectual Simon Tay, interviewing an outgoing NMP who’s arguably made the most of her time in Parliament speaking up for the young and disenfranchised with electrifying effect.

The conversation ranges from the expected – politics – to the unexpected, like personal faith and family expectations. At all times, the 41-year-old Kuik, co-founder of social business group The Thought Collective, comes across as both candid yet careful, her statements thoughtful and considered.

Concepts like “collaboration”, “communication” and “community” undergird much of her narrative. It is apparent she is a connector, a bridge-builder, someone passionate about tearing down barriers and finding common ground – whether among competing political parties, for her corporate clients or between different sectors of an increasingly polarised society.

SIMON TAY: I’ve really enjoyed reading your speeches – there have been things you’ve brought up in a 21st century way which echo with me in my 20th-century experience as an NMP. Do you see Singapore at a crossroads? Not just in terms of leadership or economy, but more deeply at a societal level?