{{pp-pc|small=yes}} {{short description|Singaporean politician}} {{Family name hatnote|Lim|lang=Chinese}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2021}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Desmond Lim | native_name = {{nobold|林睦荃}} | native_name_lang = zh-sg | image = File:Desmond Lim Bak Chuan (cropped).jpg | image_size = 200px | alt = | caption = Lim at a rally speech in 2015 | birth_name = Lim Bak Chuan | birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1967}} | birth_place = Singapore | death_date = | death_place = | death_cause = | resting_place = | resting_place_coordinates = | party = SJP (until 1996, 2011–present)<br />SDA (2001–present) | other_party = SPP (1996–2011) | spouse = | children = | education = Master of Engineering Management | alma_mater = University of Wollongong | occupation = politician, engineer | signature = | signature_alt = | website = }}
'''Desmond Lim Bak Chuan''' ({{lang-zh|s=林睦荃|p=Lín Mùquán}}; born 1967)<ref name="General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles">{{cite news |date=2006 |title=General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles |url=https://www.asiaone.com/specials/ge2006/profiles.html |url-status=dead |access-date=16 November 2021 |agency=AsiaOne |archive-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116072934/https://www.asiaone.com/specials/ge2006/profiles.html }}</ref><ref name="smu">{{cite news |title=SDA to voters: Desmond Lim is back |date=16 January 2013 |url=https://news.smu.edu.sg/sites/news.smu.edu.sg/files/wwwsmu/news_room/smu_in_the_news/2013/sources/ShinMin_2030116_2.pdf |publisher=Shin Min Daily News |website=Singapore Management University, News}}</ref> is a Singaporean politician who has been serving as chairperson of the Singapore Democratic Alliance since 2001.<ref name=sda>{{cite web |url=https://mysda.news/team/ |title=Team-SDA |website=Singapore Democratic Alliance}}</ref><ref name="GE2020: SDA chairman Desmond Lim to step down from position, says he is leading GE team for the last time">{{cite news |last1=Aw |first1=Cheng Wei |date=29 June 2020 |title=GE2020: SDA chairman Desmond Lim to step down from position, says he is leading GE team for the last time |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-sda-chairman-desmond-lim-to-step-down-from-position-says-he-is-leading-ge-team-for |access-date=16 November 2021 |work=The Straits Times |archive-date=29 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200929164224/https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/ge2020-sda-chairman-desmond-lim-to-step-down-from-position-says-he-is-leading-ge-team-for |url-status=live }}</ref>
Lim participated in the general elections from 2001 to 2025, contesting the GRCs of Jalan Besar (2001), Pasir Ris-Punggol (2006 to 2020) and Pasir Ris-Changi (2025), as well as the by-election of Punggol East SMC (2013), under the SDA.
Lim was initially considered a protégé of Chiam See Tong until they had a falling out in 2011, which led to Chiam and the SPP withdrawing from the SDA. Lim is known for his willingness to attempt new methods of campaigning and has described himself as "dedicated and determined".<ref>{{cite news |last=Loh |first=Dylan |date=16 January 2013 |title=SDA's Desmond Lim brands himself as dedicated & determined |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1248223/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126224926/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1248223/1/.html |archive-date=26 January 2013 |accessdate=27 March 2013 |agency=CNA}}</ref>
== Education == Lim holds a Master of Engineering Management from the University of Wollongong.<ref name="General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles" />
== Career == Lim started his career as an air-conditioner mechanic and technician, and currently works as a principal engineer at the telecommunication company M1.<ref name="General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://mysda.news/leadership/ |title=The SDA is Led by Chairman Dato' Seri Desmond Lim Bak Chuan |website=SDA}}</ref>
== Community service == Since 2011, Lim has been running a charity organisation called Dedicated Locals' Caring Community to help those who have fallen on hard times. To date, it has benefitted over 7,000 beneficiaries in Singapore, South East Asia, China and Nepal through the provision of free amenity services, giving out free basic necessities, and missionary trips. In recognition of his community contributions, he was conferred with the title of "Dato' Sri Utama" in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dlscc.com/about-team |website=DL's Caring Community |title=Service before self}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imci-waa.com/directory/member.aspx?id=248 |website=IMCI+ Alliance |title=Bak Chuan Desmond Lim}}</ref>
== Political career == Lim was the chairman of the Singapore Justice Party (SJP), which he left for the Singapore People's Party (SPP) in 1996.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kor |first=Kian Beng |date=4 March 2011 |title=Chiam's former protege quits SPP, rejoins SJP |work=The Straits Times |pages=A8}}</ref> He became the assistant secretary-general of the SPP from December 1997 to 2006.<ref name="General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=14 December 1997 |title=SPP suggests new bidding system that may lower COEs |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitstimes19980627-1.2.80.2 |work=The Straits Times |pages=33 |via=NewspaperSG}}</ref> Lim made his electoral debut during the 2001 general election when he joined a five-member SDA team to contest in Jalan Besar GRC against a five-member team from the governing People's Action Party (PAP). The SDA team lost with 25.51% of the vote against the PAP team's 74.49%.<ref name="GE 2001 results">{{cite web |title=2001 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2001.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711074641/https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2001.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Lim joined a six-member SDA team contesting in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC during the 2006 general election against a PAP team led by Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean. At the time, Lim was assistant secretary-general of the SDA.<ref name="General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles" /> The SDA team lost to the PAP team with 31.3% of the vote against the PAP team's 68.7%.<ref name="GE 2006 results">{{cite web |title=2006 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2006.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=11 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711074641/https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2006.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2009, Lim became the secretary-general of the SDA.<ref name="General Election 2006 Candidate Profiles" /> In October 2010, he was replaced with Mohamad Hamim Aliyas as the secretary-general of the SDA by Chiam See Tong during a central executive committee meeting of SPP.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Kor |first=Kian Beng |last2=Wong |first2=Tessa |date=12 October 2010 |title=Chiam wants to oust ex-protege from top post |work=The Straits Times |pages=B6}}</ref> SPP founder and chairman Sin Kek Tong said Chiam's move was due to Lim opposing Reform Party (RP) joining the SDA.<ref name=":2" /> However, in an SDA council meeting held shortly after, the council rejected the decision of Chiam and Lim remained as the secretary-general.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kor |first=Kian Beng |last2=Zakir |first2=Hussain |last3=Wong |first3=Tessa |date=3 November 2010 |title=Rift widens between SDA leaders and Chiam |work=The Straits Times |pages=B6}}</ref>
In March 2011, Chiam pulled SPP out of the SDA.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saad |first=Imelda |date=2 March 2011 |title=GE: SDA says Chiam pulling SPP out of alliance - Channel NewsAsia |url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1113966/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121022123409/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1113966/1/.html |archive-date=2012-10-22 |access-date=2025-03-05 |work=CNA |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheow |first=Xin Yi |date=3 March 2011 |title=Chiam pulls party out of alliance |url=http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110303-0000259/Chiam-pulls-party-out-of-alliance |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306133237/http://www.todayonline.com:80/Singapore/EDC110303-0000259/Chiam-pulls-party-out-of-alliance |archive-date=6 March 2011 |access-date=2025-03-05 |website=Today |language=en}}</ref> As a result, Lim left SPP and rejoined SJP.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kor |first=Kian Beng |date=4 March 2011 |title=Chiam's former protege quits SPP, rejoins SJP |work=The Straits Times |pages=8}}</ref> He was appointed secretary-general of SJP.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ong |first=Andrea |date=5 March 2011 |title=DPP keen to take on MM and SM |work=The Straits Times |pages=A10}}</ref> Lim also became the chairman of the SDA.<ref name="GE2020: SDA chairman Desmond Lim to step down from position, says he is leading GE team for the last time" /> In the 2011 Singaporean general election, Lim contested in a three-cornered fight in the Punggol East SMC. He ultimately lost to the PAP candidate Michael Palmer, who had 54.54% of the vote. Lim's share of the vote, at 4.45%, was significantly lower than that of the other opposition candidate, Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party (WP), who had 41.01% of the vote.<ref name="GE 2006 results" /> Due to having garnered lower than 12.5% of the vote, Lim forfeited his S$16,000 election deposit under Singapore's electoral rules.<ref name="GE 2011 results">{{cite web |title=2011 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2011.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128172737/http://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2011.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2013, after Palmer resigned from the PAP and gave up his parliamentary seat in Punggol East SMC, a by-election was scheduled to be held on 26 January. Lim announced his decision to contest as a SDA candidate in the by-election, which turned out to be a four-cornered fight pitting Lim against three other candidates: Koh Poh Koon of PAP; Lee of WP; and Kenneth Jeyaretnam of RP. On 21 January, Lim started uploading a series of videos of his speeches, calling it an "online rally" and talking about issues such as the high costs of living and high property prices in Singapore.<ref name="Desmond Lim speaks at the SDA's online rally">{{cite news |work=Today |url=http://www.todayonline.com/videos/desmond-lim-speaks-sdas-online-rally-jan-23-2013-part-7-1 |title=Desmond Lim speaks at the SDA's online rally, Jan 23, 2013 (Part 7) |date=23 January 2013 |accessdate=23 March 2013 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180322/https://www.todayonline.com/videos/desmond-lim-speaks-sdas-online-rally-jan-23-2013-part-7-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although he was derided for his poor diction, he said he was not disheartened and felt that he should not be judged on his command of English, but on how he could serve the people.<ref name="GE2020: SDA chairman Desmond Lim to step down from position, says he is leading GE team for the last time" /><ref>{{cite news |newspaper=xin msn |date=January 23, 2013 |url=http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/sdas-desmond-lim-not-disheartened-by-negative-online-rally-comments |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130411100405/http://news.xin.msn.com/en/singapore/sdas-desmond-lim-not-disheartened-by-negative-online-rally-comments |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 11, 2013 |title=SDA's Desmond Lim not disheartened by negative online rally comments |accessdate=March 24, 2013 }}</ref> It was also reported that some residents admired his "underdog indefatigability".<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=The Straits Times |url=http://www.straitstimes.com/the-big-story/punggol-east-election/story/sdas-desmond-lim-underdog-derring-do-instincts-20130123 |date=23 January 2013 |title=SDA's Desmond Lim: Underdog with derring-do instincts |first=Tessa |last=Wong |accessdate=24 March 2013 |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180320/https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/sdas-desmond-lim-underdog-with-derring-do-instincts |url-status=live }}</ref>
Lim ultimately lost the by-election, having garnered just 0.57% of the vote, the lowest among the four candidates: Lee won with 54.5% of the vote, while Koh and Jeyaratnam had 43.73% and 1.2% respectively.<ref name="BE 2013 results">{{cite web |title=2013 PARLIAMENTARY BY-ELECTION RESULT |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_by2013.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=8 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908235739/https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_by2013.html |url-status=live }}</ref> As he had lower than 12.5% of the vote, Lim forfeited his S$14,500 election deposit, becoming the second candidate in Singaporean electoral history after Harbans Singh to forfeit his election deposit twice.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sg-elections.com/candidates/h-i.html#HS|title=Singapore Election Candidates > H-I|website=singapore-elections.com|access-date=10 July 2018|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180320/http://singapore-elections.com/candidates/h-i.html#HS|url-status=live}}</ref> His electoral result of 0.57% was at the time the lowest any candidate or party got in an election since Singapore gained independence in 1965, beating Teo Kim Hoe's result of 0.81% in 1984.<ref> {{cite web |title=1984 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary1984.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128165625/http://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary1984.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sg-elections.com/candidates/t.html#TKHO|title=Singapore Election Candidates |website=singapore-elections.com|access-date=10 July 2018|archive-date=20 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180322/http://singapore-elections.com/candidates/t.html#TKHO|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130127-398101.html |title=SDA scores worst result in post-independence history |first1=Yong Chuan |last1=Toh |first2=Joyce |last2=Lim |date=27 January 2013 |accessdate=23 March 2013 |agency=AsiaOne |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920180334/https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20130127-398101.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
Lim joined a six-member SDA team contesting in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC again during the 2015 general election against the PAP team led by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean. The SDA team lost to the PAP team with 27.11% of the vote against the PAP team's 72.89%.<ref name="GE 2015 results">{{cite web |title=2015 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/elections_past_parliamentary2015.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=13 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913201642/http://www.eld.gov.sg/finalresults2015.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2020, Lim announced that he would be stepping down from his position as SDA chairman after the general election that year.<ref name="GE2020: SDA chairman Desmond Lim to step down from position, says he is leading GE team for the last time" /> He joined a five-member SDA team to contest in a three-cornered fight in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC against the PAP team led by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and another team from the opposition Peoples Voice led by Lim Tean. The SDA team lost with 23.67% against the PAP team's 64.16%, but did better than the Peoples Voice team's 12.17%.<ref name="GE 2020 results">{{cite web |title=2020 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/finalresults2020.html |website=Elections Department Singapore |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710211514/https://www.eld.gov.sg/finalresults2020.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In 2025, Lim decided to carry on as the SDA chairman as he claimed that he was "talked into carrying on in his role".<ref>{{cite news |title=GE2025: SDA will contest Pasir Ris-Changi despite boundary changes as part of 'duty' to residents, says Desmond Lim |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-sda-pasir-ris-changi-grc-duty-residents-punggol-workers-party-5018776 |access-date=5 May 2025 |agency=Channel News Asia |date=23 Mar 2025}}</ref> He subsequently led the SDA team again in the newly formed Pasir Ris-Changi GRC for the 2025 Singaporean general election against the PAP team led by Indranee Rajah where they lost with 32.34% of the vote compared to the 67.66% of the PAP.<ref name="GE 2025 results">{{cite web |title=2025 PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS |url=https://www.eld.gov.sg/finalresults2025.html |website=Elections Department Singapore}}</ref>
== Personal life == Lim is married and has a son.<ref name="smu"/>
==References== {{Reflist}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lim, Desmond}} Category:1968 births Category:Living people Category:Singaporean engineers Category:Singapore People's Party politicians Category:Singaporean politicians of Chinese descent Category:University of Wollongong alumni