Career and Education
Sylvia has been a Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2025. She was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor in 1991. Sylvia Lim’s career spans across law, education, and politics. She began her professional journey as a police officer and litigation lawyer before transitioning to a 12-year tenure at Temasek Polytechnic as a lecturer and manager of continuing learning programmes. Sylvia is currently practising law, time permitting.
Sylvia holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) degree from National University of Singapore and a Master of Laws degree from University College London. Apart from law, she also obtained in her working years a Master of Science (Criminal Justice) from Michigan State University and a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations from Queen Mary University London.
Involvement with the Workers’ Party
Sylvia joined the Workers' Party (WP) in 2001 and was co-opted into the Executive Council. She has served as Party Chair since 2003. Sylvia was a Non-Constituency MP after the 2006 General Elections and was subsequently elected as MP for Aljunied GRC in the 2011, 2015, and 2020 General Elections. In her 19 years in Parliament, she has debated a wide range of issues, with a particular focus on governance, social inequality, and unequal bargaining power. She spearheaded a 2020 Motion on reforming the justice system to better serve the poor and argued for banks to compensate scam victims in 2023.
An elected member of the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council since 2011, Sylvia served as its first Chairman until 2015. She has been in charge of the Serangoon and later Paya Lebar divisions, where she initiated various outreach and welfare activities for residents, advocating for them both in Parliament and beyond.
Vision for Singapore
Sylvia advocates for reducing inequality in Singapore to foster social cohesion and preserve the dignity of every individual.
Philosophy and Passions
Sylvia believes that fulfillment in life is measured by how one contributes to improving the lives of others. She feels that while jumping into the fray may be risky, remaining a passive bystander is far worse. Sylvia enjoys sports and music in various genres from classical to jazz.
