Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim
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| Input Name | |
|---|---|
| Party Affiliation | |
| Current Role | • Pending • |
| Past Roles | • Pending • |
| Others | • Pending • Pending |
| Background | |
| Education | • Pending • • • |
| Personal Details | |
| Age | 125 |
| Others | Pending |
Muhammad Faishal bin Ibrahim Khan Surattee (born 16 June 1968) is a Singaporean politician from the governing People's Action Party (PAP). He has been serving as Minister of State for Home Affairs and Minister of State for National Development since 2020. He has been an MP for Nee Soon GRC's central division since 2011.
Early Life and Education
Faishal received his early education at Telok Kurau East Primary School, Bedok South Primary School, Bedok View Secondary School, and Nanyang Junior College before graduating from NUS with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in real estate management in 1993. In 1996, he obtained a Master of Science in real estate management at NUS, graduating as the best overall student in his cohort. He later earned a Doctor of Philosophy in management science at the University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology under an NUS Overseas Graduate Scholarship in 2000.
Career
After earning his bachelor's degree, Faishal started his career at the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore in 1993. After completing his master's degree in 1996, he joined the NUS Department of Real Estate as a senior tutor. 2010, he was an associate professor at the NUS Department of Real Estate.
Political career
Before entering politics, Faishal joined the PAP as a volunteer. He supported programs that focus on safety nets. He debuted in politics in the 2006 general election as part of a six-member PAP team representing Marine Parade GRC. The PAP team secured an easy victory by an uncontested walkover, and Faishal was appointed as an MP representing the Kaki Bukit ward of Marine Parade GRC.
Faishal was part of the PAP team representing Nee Soon GRC in the 2011 election. They secured 58.4% of the vote against the Workers' Party (WP). Faishal was later elected as an MP for the Nee Soon Central ward of Nee Soon GRC. He was promoted to Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Transport on 1 August 2012.
Faishal ran again in the 2015 general election in Nee Soon GRC as part of a five-member PAP team. The team sealed 66.83% of the vote, defeating the Workers' Party. On 1 October 2015, he became a Parliamentary Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social and Family Development. He was promoted to Senior Parliamentary Secretary and continued serving in those two Ministries two years later.
Faishal's political career continues to shine. In the 2020 election, Faisal was a part of the PAP team for Nee Soon GRC. The team gained 61.90 percent of the vote, defeating the Progress Singapore Party (PSP). Faishal was then appointed to Minister of State, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the Ministry of National Development.
Controversy over Facebook post
Faishal's Facebook post on Father's Day triggered controversy and criticism from netizens. Faishal posted a picture with WP MP Pritam Singh in Nee Soon, the area Faishal and his PAP team represented. Faishal said Singh's visit was "very infrequent."[1]
Netizens slammed Faishal for his"low class" post, arguing that PAP members only visited once a year during the election. While Pritam is considered brave in fighting for the rights of Singaporeans.
Criticism of more lenient penalties in new traffic bill
Faishal explained that the minimum mandatory penalties for offenders were cut in a newly passed road traffic bill, adding that the courts have the power to determine sentences based on the circumstances of the cases.
For example, the mandatory punishment for driving causing death is cut from four years to two. At the same time, the sentence for causing grievous hurt is lowered from two to one year. The court will see"gradual progression" in sentencing first-offenders and repeat-offenders, Faishal claimed.[2]
However, this bill sparked criticism among parliament members, arguing that it is too lenient and will underestimate the importance of safe driving.
Personal life
Faishal is married and has two children.