SINGAPORE — Having grown up in a poor family, Mr Adrian Sim Tian Hock understands what it is like to be faced with the prospect of a bleak future.

Speaking in Mandarin, Mr Sim, who was introduced as one of the Workers’ Party’s (WP) candidates for the upcoming General Election yesterday, said he hopes the underprivileged can receiver quicker assistance, as “a day of waiting is suffering for them”.

“When I was young, I was poor. We often did not have enough money,” said Mr Sim, 43.

“Before I turned 10, I went from house to house to sell newspapers. On Saturdays and Sundays, business was particularly good. Occasionally, we would also sell ondeh-ondeh to make extra income and to lessen my parents’ burden.”

Mr Sim, who is a resident of Hougang, said he was inspired to join the WP after he witnessed how the WP’s Members of Parliament worked hard to solve problems for residents, and never gave up, even though they did not have as much resources.

“I am very respectful of their commitment to building a democratic society,” said Mr Sim. “That is why I intend to contribute, to build a society with compassion in Singapore.”

When asked why voters should support him, Mr Sim said he hopes to work towards a balanced Parliament, with better debates and better policies.

Mr Sim also said he hoped to set an example for his eight-year-old twin boys, to ensure that they will one day be able to build a better Singapore.

“Now that I am a father, I hope to set an example to my two young children, so they will learn how to give back to society” said Mr Sim.

“I hope they will grow up to become people with compassion, and contributing members of society.”

Adrian Sim Tian Hock, 43

Managing director of a joint venture company

FACT FILE:

• Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration (Major in Marketing, La Trobe University, Australia)

• Earned his degree via distance learning, juggling work in the day and his studies at night and on weekends

• Joined the Workers’ Party as a volunteer in 2013, after his wife, who started volunteering with the party in 2011, encouraged him to join her

• Married with eight-year-old twin boys

He said: “As a volunteer (with the Workers’ Party), I saw the WP Members of Parliament working very hard to solve problems for the residents. They lacked resources, but they never gave up. I am very respectful of their commitment to building a democratic society. This is why I intend to contribute, and to help build a society with compassion.”

WARD: To be announced

CORRECTION: In the original version of this article, we reported wrongly that Mr Adrian Sim's father had passed away. That is incorrect. We apologise for the error.