Former AIC Chief Spotted with East Coast GRC MPs; Could a New Political Star be Rising?

SINGAPORE – Dinesh Vasu Dash, the recently resigned chief of the Agency for Integrated Care, was seen engaging with East Coast GRC MPs during a mosque visit in Chai Chee on the morning of March 31. This marks his first public appearance with the People’s Action Party (PAP) following his departure from the civil service just days earlier.

At the age of 50, Dinesh's presence alongside Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong has sparked rumors that he may be preparing to take on a political role in the upcoming elections. His last day in office was on March 27, and he is among several high-profile civil servants who have recently resigned.

During this visit to Al-Ansar Mosque, Dinesh was accompanied by Madam Hazlina Abdul Halim, 40, also a notable figure in the community, having previously served as the chief executive of Make-A-Wish Singapore. Hazlina has already been seen shadowing MacPherson MP Tin Pei Ling and was formally introduced to the public at a Marine Parade GRC walkabout on March 22.

While other East Coast GRC MPs like Dr. Maliki Osman and Ms. Cheryl Chan were absent (the former arriving independently earlier and the latter on a work trip), MP Jessica Tan attended the mosque visit. Senior Minister of State for National Development, Tan Kiat How, joined shortly thereafter.

After the outing, Mr. Tong expressed that Dinesh and Madam Hazlina are “getting a good sense of the community and what it means to work for the community,” reinforcing the idea that they are establishing valuable connections ahead of possible candidacy.

DPM Heng commented on their potential contributions to Singapore, highlighting Dinesh’s previous engagement with the Health Ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic as particularly relevant experience. His proactive approach in understanding the needs of the East Coast community has been praised.

This gathering isn’t just about individual connections; it reflects the ruling party's strategy of scouting for new candidates from the civil service. A number of officials, including Mr. Jeffrey Siow and Mr. Shawn Loh, have also recently announced their resignations in a wave of exits that precedes the elections. Their departures indicate a significant shift, suggesting that top talents are being lined up for a possible run.

Discussing community engagement, Mr. Tong emphasized the importance of multi-ethnic and multi-religious harmony that characterizes life in Singapore, especially as the nation celebrates milestones like SG60, highlighting our cohesive societal fabric as a critical strength.

Overall, the recent visibility of former civil servants like Dinesh and Hazlina alongside experienced MPs suggests a potential recalibration in Singapore’s political landscape as the country gears up for upcoming elections. As Dinesh walks the ground and builds rapport with the community, many will be watching to see if he emerges as a formidable candidate in the near future.

Stay tuned as we continue to cover the evolving political dynamics in Singapore – could this be the rise of a new political star?