Former Chua Chu Kang MP Tang See Chim, advocate for displaced farmers, dies at 94

Tang See Chim, a former Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang and a long-time advocate for displaced farmers, passed away on August 15 at the age of 94. He held the position with the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) until his retirement in 1988. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong paid tribute to Tang, stating that he set aside a promising legal career to serve the nation during Singapore's early years.

Tang's commitment to public service extended beyond politics, as he also made significant contributions to the Labour Movement and the legal fraternity. Despite being offered the chance to move to another constituency in 1976, Tang chose to remain in Chua Chu Kang to help the thousands of residents affected by resettlement. He served as parliamentary secretary to the finance minister, minister of state for finance, deputy speaker of parliament, and acting organising secretary of the PAP.

Tang's advocacy for Chua Chu Kang's farmers began in 1966 when he raised concerns about how resettlement was fragmenting farmland and affecting the economic viability of farms. He petitioned the Prime Minister's Office to delay the implementation of a pig farming phase-out plan, giving farmers an additional three to five years. He also fought to ensure prompt and adequate compensation for resettled farmers, describing resettlement as a traumatic experience that uprooted their way of life and deprived them of their livelihoods.