Singapore’s $300,000-Salaried Politician Baey Yam Keng: I am surprised and flattered by the interest in my “selfies”

MP Baey Yam Keng the narcissist talks about his selfies

August 17th, 2013 |  Author: Contributions

Baey Yam Keng, the most narcissistic MP Singapore has ever had in history.

Wah, this guy more interested in self than serving his constituents, ah?
MP Baey Yam Keng: I am surprised and flattered by the interest in my “selfies”

As a politician, Mr Baey Yam Keng is no stranger to public scrutiny.

But the MP for Tampines GRC wasn’t quite prepared for the sudden buzz surrounding the “selfies” – or self-taken photos of his face – which he posted on his Instagram account.

Mr Baey, who turns 43 on Aug 31, was crowned “selfie crush” by a pop-culture website called Popspoken on Aug 5. It collated what it called the MP’s “hottest 10 selfies”.

“I was quite surprised and a bit flattered that someone took enough notice of my selfies,” he told The Straits Times. “I appreciate it as I thought it’s quite a positive article.”

Baey Yam Keng talks as if he’s some celebrity. Like movie star or singer. He’s more interested in others being interested in his selfies than for his work as an MP.

Yeah, what a self-centred guy this is. How is he going to care for his constituents when he’s more interested in his self-image?
Barrie
* The writer blogs at http://wherebearsroamfree.blogspot.com.

MP Baey Yam Keng: I am surprised and flattered by the interest in my “selfies”

Published on Aug 14, 2013
By Yunita Ong

As a politician, Mr Baey Yam Keng is no stranger to public scrutiny.

But the MP for Tampines GRC wasn’t quite prepared for the sudden buzz surrounding the “selfies” – or self-taken photos of his face – which he posted on his Instagram account.

Mr Baey, who turns 43 on Aug 31, was crowned “selfie crush” by a pop-culture website called Popspoken on Aug 5. It collated what it called the MP’s “hottest 10 selfies”.

“I was quite surprised and a bit flattered that someone took enough notice of my selfies,” he told The Straits Times. “I appreciate it as I thought it’s quite a positive article.”

Mr Baey posed on June 12 for a self-shot in his Tampines Town Council polo shirt. — PHOTO BY: BAEY YAM KENG

He started posting photos, ranging from snapshots of his workout regime to meetings with residents, on the photo-sharing account late last year.

He has also posted pictures of his meals, although none with his family. He is married to playwright Lim Hai Yen, 42, and they have three children.

But it is his self-portraits, taken at various venues such as at a gym, in the library of Parliament House, and at a cosplay event, that have caused quite a stir online.

While some are not supportive of him taking selfies, most have given him the thumbs up. One Instagram user praised him for “engaging Singaporeans through online interaction”. This was in response to an Aug 13 photo of Mr Baey posing beside RazorTV equipment at an interview with The Straits Times RazorTV.

Mr Baey, who posts selfies about three times a week, knows that not everybody would take to them, citing one who threatened to stop following him on Instagram.

“When I first took a selfie, I was quite cautious and not sure about how the public would react,” he said. He is heartened, however, by the fact that his selfies have garnered him more followers and much more positive response.

Mr Shah Salimat, 21, editor-in-chief of Popspoken, said he was surprised to see a politician here post photos of himself and said it gives Mr Baey a “human touch”.

“It’s very refreshing that an MP uses social media like any other normal person would,” the full-time national serviceman said.

Mr Baey believes social media helps bridge the distance between politicians and the public. He isn’t stopping at Instagram – he is thinking of getting a Tumblr blog, too.

“I hear it is popular now,” he said. “It could be useful as a channel of engagement with the public.”