Chin Harn Tong

Chin Harn Tong alias Chee Han Tong[1] (Chinese: 钱翰琮; pinyin: Qián Hàn Cóng; born 1938) is a former Singaporean politician. A member of the ruling People's Action Party, Chin was a Member of Parliament for Aljunied SMC and later Aljunied GRC. In 1996, Chin retired from politics after 24 years.

The Honourable Chin Harn Tong MP
钱翰琮
Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
In office 1981–1988
Prime Minister	Lee Kuan Yew
Minister	Chua Sian Chin & S Jayakumar
Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
In office 1978–1981
Prime Minister	Lee Kuan Yew
Minister	Chua Sian Chin
Political Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
In office 1977–1978
Prime Minister	Lee Kuan Yew
Minister	Chua Sian Chin
Personal details
Born	1938 (age 82–83) Straits Settlements
Nationality	Singaporean
Political party	People's Action Party
Occupation	Politician, labour leader, teacher

Early life

Chin was born into a Hainanese family.[2] He was a teacher at now-defunct Kiau Nam School between 1957 and 1961, and briefly taught at Chung Hwa Girls' High School in 1964.[1] He was awarded the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) and the Friend of Labour Award by NTUC in 1971.[1]

Career

After leaving his teaching career, Chin joined the labour movement in Singapore. He was Assistant Director at NTUC Research Unit between 1970 and 1978 and subsequently Executive Director and Advisor of NTUC COMFORT from 1978 to 1986.[1]

In 1972, Chin ran for parliament as a PAP candidate in Aljunied SMC. He defeated candidates from the Workers' Party and the United National Front by winning 71.5% of the votes.[3] In 1976, Chin ran for re-election in the same constituency, this time competing against Lim Kang Chew of the Workers' Party. Chin was re-elected with 74.9% of the votes won.[4] [2] In 1980, Chin faced United Front's Sim Peng Kim and won 84.6% of the votes.[5] The Aljunied SMC seat was uncontested in the 1984 General Election and Chin returned to parliament.[6]

In the 1988 General Election, the GRC system was introduced. Aljunied SMC became part of 3-person Aljunied GRC. The PAP team consisted of Chin, Wan Hussin bin Zoohri, and future Foreign Minister George Yeo. They faced a challenge from the SDP team of Mohamed Jufrie, Neo Choon Aik, and Ashleigh Seow. The PAP team defeated the SDP team by winning 56.33% of the votes.[7] In the 1991 General Election, Aljunied GRC was uncontested and Chin returned to parliament; this would be his last election before retiring.[8] Chin chaired the Aljunied Town Council from 1989 to 1993.[2]

Chin became Political Secretary and later Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs between 1977 and 1981.[1][2] He rose to become Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs between 1981 and 1988.[2]

After his retirement from politics, Chin was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1998.[1]

References

1. "Portrait of Mr. Chin Harn Tong, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs - BookSG - National Library Board, Singapore". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
2. Koh, Hui Theng; Heng, Linette (3 May 2011). "Is he PAP's secret weapon?". AsiaOne. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
3. "ELD | 1972 Parliamentary General Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
4. "ELD | 1976 Parliamentary General Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
5. "ELD | 1980 Parliamentary General Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
6. "ELD | 1984 Parliamentary General Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
7. "ELD | 1988 Parliamentary General Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
8. "ELD | 1991 Parliamentary General Election Results". www.eld.gov.sg. Retrieved 16 August 2020.