S1E34: How MP Tin Pei Ling continues to serve residents amid public scrutiny

Apr 10, 2025

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She cherishes her MacPherson memories and reflects on her rough start to politics.

Synopsis: The Usual Place host Natasha Ann Zachariah hunts for new perspectives on issues that matter to young people.

In the lead-up to the expected general election that must be held by November 2025, Natasha looks at how MPs, and others involved, are preparing themselves.

MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling was PAP’s youngest candidate at 27 years old during the 2011 General Election when she was put in the spotlight – remember the Kate Spade bag episode? – it’s never quite left her.

Since then, she has had, arguably, one of the most closely watched political journeys among MPs. From her pregnancies to career moves, she has drawn much public and media attention.

In this episode, Ms Tin, 41, tells Natasha about how she deals with hate comments, her perceived job-hopping in the past few years, and why she hopes to be the MP for her current ward for a long time to come.

And given the current geopolitical climate, she makes a case to young voters why her party would be the best choice now.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:09 Is Ms Tin sick of people talking about her Kate Spade bag?

9:41 Putting aside her feelings to deal with her residents’ issues

19:38 Ms Tin’s advice for new candidates

38:28 Does she think the spotlight on her career was unwarranted?

51:29 Her pitch to young voters to support PAP

Host: Natasha Zachariah (natashaz@sph.com.sg)

Read Natasha's articles: https://str.sg/iSXm

Follow Natasha on her IG account and DM her your thoughts on this episode: https://str.sg/8Wav

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: ST Video

Edited by ST Podcast producers: Teo Tong Kai & Eden Soh

Edited by ST Video: Azim Azman, Samuel Ruby Rianto

Executive producers: Ernest Luis

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