{
  "id": 8339084,
  "title": "‘Maybe they should be called Penghulus’: Calvin Cheng changes mind on Singapore’s Mayors after meeting Denise Phua",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/maybe-they-should-be-called-penghulus-calvin-cheng-changes-mind-on",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-19T00:02:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Independent Singapore",
    "slug": "the-independent-singapore",
    "url": "https://theindependent.sg/maybe-they-should-be-called-penghulus-calvin-cheng-changes-mind-on-singapore-s-mayors-after-meeting-denise-phua"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng recently met Denise Phua, MP for Jalan Besar and Mayor of Central Singapore District, to better understand the roles and functions of Mayors and Community Development Councils (CDCs). Cheng had previously expressed doubts about the relevance of Mayors, but the meeting changed his perspective. Singapore currently has five Mayors, each representing different districts and chairing a CDC.\n\nCheng acknowledged that Mayors and CDCs indeed carry out various tasks, such as creating district-specific programs and coordinating with multiple ministries when necessary, which might be challenging for a single MP to handle. He also pointed out that having more MPs per constituent ratio can be advantageous, as long as the city-state can afford it.\n\nHowever, Cheng also questioned the term \"Mayor,\" arguing that Singapore's Mayors do not govern municipalities. He suggested the Malay term Penghulu, traditionally used to administer a mukim (a district comprising several villages) and exercise authority over multiple ketua kampung. Cheng expressed a preference for the term Penghulu and shared it on social media, inviting others to understand why Singapore needs Penghulus. Reactions to Cheng's post have been mixed, with some questioning the necessity of Mayors and others expressing confusion over the implementation of CDC vouchers.",
  "summary": "Mr Cheng had previously said he was not convinced about the role of Mayors, but said the meeting helped clarify how they coordinate district-level programmes and initiatives.",
  "key_points": [
    "Calvin Cheng met Denise Phua, MP and Mayor of Central Singapore District.",
    "Cheng changed his mind about Mayors after the meeting, preferring the Malay term Penghulu.",
    "Cheng shared his new perspective on social media, sparking mixed reactions."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Calvin Cheng's change of heart on Singapore's Mayors role reframes his view on local governance, suggesting a term change to Penghulus while acknowledging their district-level coordination and program work.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}