‘Now that’s a real Mayor,’ Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan says of Zohran Mamdani while in New York: During his visit to New York, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan praised the city’s “human spirit and resilience” while also reflecting on conversations with Singaporeans living there.   🔗 Read more: https://theindependent.sg/now-that-s-a-real-mayor-singapore-democratic-party-chief-chee-soon-juan-says-of-zohran-mamdani-while-in-new-york   Here's the full detailed report:       'Now that's a real Mayor' — Chee Soon Juan on Zohran Mamdani in New York   Source: The Independent Singapore • Published: 23 September 2026       🗽 Chee's New York Visit   Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan was in New York City this week, delivering talks at New York University (NYU) and Columbia University on Tuesday, 22 September 2026.   In a video message posted on social media the next day, set to Alicia Keys’ Empire State of Mind, Chee greeted Singaporeans from "The Big Apple" and remarked:   "New York is the home of Mayor Zohran Mamdani — now that’s a real Mayor."   The remark is understood as a pointed commentary on local governance in Singapore, where the SDP has previously called for the abolition of appointed mayors during the 2025 General Election campaign.   🏙️ On New York's Spirit   Chee offered his impressions of the city:   "New York is just as crazy as I imagined it would be. It’s not as new, it’s not as shiny — but it’s full of life, full of energy. And it’s got that human spirit and resilience — which is what we need in the era of AI."   Resilience is a recurring theme for Chee; his latest book is titled Unbroken: The Power of Resilience.   🗣️ Conversations with Singaporeans Abroad   Chee met with Singaporeans living in New York and asked whether they planned to return home. He said many were hesitant, explaining their response:   "Here they have the freedom to think, to develop themselves. This is where we will lose out — if we don’t open up and allow Singaporeans to thrive, to develop that human spirit."   📢 Upcoming Public Talk   Chee will speak in Singapore on Saturday, 26 September 2026, 2–5 PM at ACC Edu Hub, 51 Cuppage Road. The event is titled:   "Indispensable: Building The Human Skills That AI Can't Replace"   👤 Who is Zohran Mamdani?   - Zohran Kwame Mamdani, 34, born Kampala, Uganda - Elected Mayor of New York City in November 2025; sworn in 1 January 2026 - First Muslim and first Asian American mayor in NYC history - Member of the Democratic Party & Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) - Served in New York State Assembly (Astoria, Queens), 2021–2025 - Defeated former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary and the general election on a progressive platform: rent control, affordable housing, universal childcare, $30 minimum wage, fare-free transit   ✈️ Recent International Speaking   Over the past year, Chee has delivered talks at:   - Nov 2025: London School of Economics, King’s College London, University of Oxford - Mar 2026: Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, Liberal Party of the Philippines headquarters       🔗 Full article: theindependent.sg