He Ting Ru
{{short description|Singaporean politician (born 1983)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Family name hatnote|He|lang=Chinese}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = The Honourable
| honorific-suffix =
| name = He Ting Ru
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|zh-hans|何廷儒}}}}
| image = frameless
| caption = Official portrait, 2021
| constituency_MP = Sengkang GRC
| term_start = 10 July 2020
| term_end =
| predecessor = Constituency established
| majority = {{plainlist|
- 2020: 4,898 (4.24%)
- 2025: 14,942 (12.64%)
}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1983|6|16}}
| birth_place = Singapore
| death_date =
| death_place =
| party = Workers' Party
| spouse = {{marriage|Terence Tan|January 2016}}
| children = 3
| education = CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School
| alma_mater = University of Cambridge (BA)
| occupation = {{hlist|Politician|lawyer}}
| website =
}}
He Ting Ru ({{lang-zh|c=何廷儒|p=Hé Tíngrú}}; born 16 June 1983) is a Singaporean politician and lawyer. A member of the Workers' Party (WP), she has been the Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Buangkok division of Sengkang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since 2020.
Early life
He Ting Ru was born on 16 June 1983.{{Cite web |title=MP | Parliament of Singapore |url=https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/he-ting-ru}} She attended CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School and Raffles Junior College before graduating from the University of Cambridge with a Bachelor of Arts degree in natural sciences. After graduating from university, she completed the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course, qualifying as a lawyer in the jurisdiction of England and Wales.{{cite web|last=Yong|first=Nicholas|date=2015-10-06|title=Post-GE2015: Business as usual for WP's He Ting Ru|url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/post-ge2015--business-as-usual-for-he-ting-ru-080540361.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707075403/https://sg.news.yahoo.com/post-ge2015--business-as-usual-for-he-ting-ru-080540361.html|archive-date=7 July 2020|access-date=6 July 2020|website=sg.news.yahoo.com|language=en-SG}}
Political career
He Ting Ru began volunteering with the WP in the Paya Lebar division of Aljunied GRC in 2011.{{cite web |last=Lim |first=Kimberly Ann |date=29 June 2020 |title=Not easy but felt right: WP's He Ting Ru on contesting GE2020 with husband Terence Tan |url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/not-easy-felt-right-wps-he-ting-ru-contesting-ge2020-husband-terence-tan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706221448/https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/not-easy-felt-right-wps-he-ting-ru-contesting-ge2020-husband-terence-tan |archive-date=6 July 2020 |access-date=6 July 2020 |website=AsiaOne |language=en}}
She made her political debut in the 2015 general election as part of a five-member team with Yee Jenn Jong, Dylan Ng, Firuz Khan and Terence Tan in Marine Parade GRC. The WP team lost to the PAP with 35.93% of the vote.{{cite web |last=Yuen |first=Sin |date=30 June 2020 |title=GE2020: Cousins, a couple, and former colleagues - unexpected connections among candidates this year |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-cousins-a-couple-and-former-colleagues-unexpected-connections-among-candidates-this |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200712084522/http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-cousins-a-couple-and-former-colleagues-unexpected-connections-among-candidates-this |archive-date=12 July 2020 |access-date=6 July 2020 |website=The Straits Times |language=en}}
She previously served as Secretary of the Workers' Party Youth Wing, and oversaw the Youth Wing's outreach efforts in the areas of service, education and heritage.{{cite web|date=2015-10-20|title=Workers' Party introduces third batch of candidates|url=https://www.onlinecitizenasia.com/2015/08/29/workers-party-introduces-third-batch-of-candidates/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729102634/https://www.onlinecitizenasia.com/2015/08/29/workers-party-introduces-third-batch-of-candidates/|archive-date=29 July 2020|access-date=6 July 2020|website=The Online Citizen}}
During the 2020 general election, she led a four-member WP team contesting in Sengkang GRC with team members Jamus Lim, Louis Chua and Raeesah Khan.{{cite web|last=Abu Baker|first=Jalelah|date=2020-06-30|title=GE2020: PAP and WP to face off in new four-member Sengkang GRC|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-nomination-sengkang-grc-12884804|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708150526/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-nomination-sengkang-grc-12884804|archive-date=8 July 2020|access-date=6 July 2020|website=CNA|language=en}} On 11 July, she was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Sengkang GRC and was subsequently assigned to the Buangkok division.{{Cite web|last=Abu Baker|first=Jalelah|title=GE2020: Workers' Party wins new Sengkang GRC with 52.13% of votes|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-sengkang-grc-wp-win-pap-12922258|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710200638/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/ge2020-sengkang-grc-wp-win-pap-12922258|archive-date=10 July 2020|access-date=2020-07-10|website=CNA|language=en}}{{Cite web |title=GE2020: Workers' Party claims Sengkang GRC in upset win |url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/ge2020-workers-party-claims-sengkang-grc-upset-win |access-date=2021-07-22 |website=TODAYonline}}
She was elected to the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) as Treasurer and appointed as the Chairwoman of the Sengkang Town Council (SKTC) since 2020.{{Cite web|title=ELD {{!}} 2020 Parliamentary General Election Results|url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/finalresults2020.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710211514/https://www.eld.gov.sg/finalresults2020.html|archive-date=2020-07-10|access-date=2020-07-10|website=www.eld.gov.sg}}{{Cite web|title=MP {{!}} Parliament Of Singapore - Ms He Ting Ru|url=https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/he-ting-ru|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715162415/https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/he-ting-ru|archive-date=2020-07-15|access-date=2020-07-15|website=www.parliament.gov.sg}}
= 2020–present: Member of Parliament =
He Ting Ru has advocated for reform of the public health system,{{Cite web |last=Party |first=The Workers' |date=2022-10-04 |title=Speech by He Ting Ru on Healthier SG |url=https://www.wp.sg/speech-by-he-ting-ru-on-healthier-sg/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Workers' Party |language=en-GB}} intervention on cost of living issues,{{Cite web |last=Party |first=The Workers' |date=2023-11-06 |title=WP’s Full Motion on the Cost of Living Crisis—speech by He Ting Ru |url=https://www.wp.sg/wps-full-motion-on-the-cost-of-living-crisis-speech-by-he-ting-ru/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Workers' Party |language=en-GB}} and various political accountability issues in Singapore.
In 2020, she supported a motion by Aljunied MP Sylvia Lim pertaining to the issues raised by a major court case involving Parti Liyani, a domestic worker who worked for former Changi Airport and Surbana Jurong Chairman Liew Mun Leong. The motion called on the Government to "...recognise and remedy its shortcomings in order to enhance justice for all, regardless of means or social status, including facilitating a review of the justice system."{{Cite news |last=Kurohi |first=Rei |date=2020-10-21 |title=WP's Sylvia Lim files new motion on issues raised by ex-maid Parti Liyani's case |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/wps-sylvia-lim-files-new-motion-on-issues-raised-by-ex-maid-parti-liyanis-case |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Straits Times |issn=0585-3923}} During the debate she pushed for the creation of a publicly funded Public Defender's Office and for statutory compensation for miscarriages of justice.{{Cite web |last=Party |first=The Workers' |date=2020-11-04 |title=Motion on Singapore’s Justice System – Speech by He Ting Ru |url=https://www.wp.sg/motion-on-singapores-justice-system-speech-by-he-ting-ru/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Workers' Party |language=en-GB}} In response to the motion, PAP MP Murali Pillai put forth amendments removing the call for a review of the Singaporean justice system, which WP MPs dissented against.{{Cite news |last=Baharudin |first=Hariz |date=2020-11-05 |title=Parliament votes to amend motion moved by WP's Sylvia Lim |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-votes-to-amend-motion-moved-by-wps-sylvia-lim-0#:~:text=SINGAPORE%20-%20Parliament%20on%20Wednesday%20(Nov,of%20former%20maid%20Parti%20Liyani. |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Straits Times |issn=0585-3923}}
In 2021, He Ting Ru raised a motion on gender equality with then Aljunied MP Leon Perera.{{Cite web |title=Workers' Party motion on gender equality passed in Parliament with amendment from PAP MP |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/workers-party-gender-equality-parliament-motion-pap-2086106 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=CNA |language=en}}
During the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act 2021 debate, she tabled amendments to the bill introducing judicial oversight with hearings to be held in camera. The amendments were rejected by the Government.{{Cite web |last=Party |first=The Workers' |date=2021-10-04 |title=Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA) – Speech by He Ting Ru |url=https://www.wp.sg/foreign-interference-countermeasures-act-fica-speech-by-he-ting-ru/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Workers' Party |language=en-GB}}
She also tabled amendments to the Carbon Pricing (Amendment) Bill in 2022, proposing the listing on a public registry of businesses permitted to exceed the limit on the use of international carbon credits. The Government rejected the amendment, citing the need for business confidentiality.{{Cite web |title=Singapore to raise carbon tax after Bill passed in Parliament, WP's proposals rejected |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-raise-carbon-tax-after-bill-passed-parliament-wps-proposals-rejected-3053876 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=CNA |language=en}}
In 2024, He Ting Ru raised an adjournment motion pushing for tougher regulations and economic interventions in order to tackle the impact of urban heat in Singapore.{{Cite web |last=Party |first=The Workers' |date=2024-02-07 |title=Building a Heat-resilient Singapore — Speech by He Ting Ru |url=https://www.wp.sg/building-a-heat-resilient-singapore-speech-by-he-ting-ru/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Workers' Party |language=en-GB}}
During the 2025 general election, she stood for reelection in Sengkang GRC with fellow incumbents Jamus Lim and Louis Chua, as well as newcomer Abdul Muhaimin. The WP was reelected in Sengkang GRC after securing 56.31% of the vote.{{Cite news |date=2025-05-04 |title=GE2025: WP wins in Sengkang GRC with 56.31%, improving on 2020 showing |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ge2025-wp-wins-sengkang-grc-with-56-31-a-wider-margin-than-in-2020 |access-date=2025-06-21 |work=The Straits Times |language=en |issn=0585-3923}}
Legal career
Since 2013, He Ting Ru has been Head of Legal and Communications of a listed multinational company which oversees legal and communications matters in Asia, North America, Europe and Africa.{{cite web|last1=Tang|first1=See Kit|last2=Chew|first2=Hui Min|date=2020-06-28|title=GE2020: Workers' Party unveils final batch of prospective candidates, including one newcomer|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/workers-party-unveils-final-batch-of-prospective-candidates-12878122|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703133311/https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/workers-party-unveils-final-batch-of-prospective-candidates-12878122|archive-date=3 July 2020|access-date=6 July 2020|website=CNA|language=en}}
She was trained at and worked as a solicitor at the law firm Clifford Chance, working in London and Frankfurt, before joining a European financial institution in Singapore as a derivatives lawyer.{{Cite web|last1=Tan|first1=Jeanette|last2=Lay|first2=Belmont|date=2015-08-25|title=Mothership.sg exclusive: Cambridge-educated lawyer He Ting Ru didn't believe she'd one day join the Workers' Party|url=https://mothership.sg/2015/08/mothership-sg-exclusive-cambridge-educated-lawyer-he-ting-ru-didnt-believe-shed-one-day-join-the-workers-party/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705154828/https://mothership.sg/2015/08/mothership-sg-exclusive-cambridge-educated-lawyer-he-ting-ru-didnt-believe-shed-one-day-join-the-workers-party/|archive-date=5 July 2020|website=mothership.sg|language=en}}{{cite web|last=Ng|first=Jing Yng|date=2015-08-28|title=Lawyer wants young S'poreans to stand up and be heard|url=https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/lawyer-wants-young-sporeans-stand-and-be-heard|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526132228/http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/lawyer-wants-young-sporeans-stand-and-be-heard|archive-date=26 May 2016|access-date=6 July 2020|website=TODAYonline}}
Personal life
She married Terence Tan, a fellow WP member in 2016. The couple were part of the five-member WP team contesting Marine Parade GRC in 2015. They have three sons.{{Cite web|last=Cai|first=Candice|date=2020-07-08|title=WP's Terence Tan and He Ting Ru: 'When you walk the Opposition path, nobody will marry you, so we have to marry each other'|url=https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/wps-terence-tan-and-he-ting-ru-when-you-walk-opposition-path-nobody-will-marry-you-so-we|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715022103/https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/wps-terence-tan-and-he-ting-ru-when-you-walk-opposition-path-nobody-will-marry-you-so-we|archive-date=15 July 2020|access-date=2020-07-15|website=AsiaOne|language=en}}{{Cite web|title=Sengkang MP He Ting Ru gives birth to third child|url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/he-ting-ru-gives-birth-third-child-workers-party-mp-sengkang-13871972|access-date=2020-12-31|website=CNA|language=en}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.wp.sg/mp/he-ting-ru Official profile]
- [https://www.parliament.gov.sg/mps/list-of-current-mps/mp/details/he-ting-ru He Ting Ru] on Parliament of Singapore
{{s-start}}
{{s-par|sg}}
{{s-new | constituency}}
{{s-ttl | title=Member of Parliament
for Sengkang GRC
| years=2020-present
| alongside=
(2020-2025): Jamus Lim, Raeesah Khan, Louis Chua
(2025-present): Jamus Lim, Abdul Muhaimin, Louis Chua
}}
{{s-inc}}
{{end}}
{{Navboxes|title=Member of multiple Parliaments of Singapore|list=
{{14th Parliament of Singapore|state=collapsed}}
{{15th Parliament of Singapore|state=collapsed}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:He, Ting Ru}}
Category:Workers' Party (Singapore) politicians
Category:Singaporean politicians of Chinese descent
Category:Raffles Junior College alumni
Category:Alumni of the University of Cambridge
Category:CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School alumni
Category:21st-century Singaporean lawyers
Category:Singaporean women lawyers
Category:Singaporean women in politics