[1] He subsequently worked as senior manager for corporate planning and business development at Singapore Press Holdings, before joining the Canadian television company UTV International as its chief executive officer (CEO).
The following month, he used his maiden speech in Parliament to table a motion calling for the House to reaffirm its commitment to the principles enshrined in the Singapore National Pledge (which refers to Singaporeans as "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion"), and questioned whether the government was sending out mixed signals by emphasising racial categorisations, for example by promoting ethnic-based self-help groups.
His speech attracted considerable media attention and drew responses from a number of Members of Parliament from Singapore's governing People's Action Party (PAP), including Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew.
Lee stated that he wanted to "bring the House back to earth" on the issue of racial equality in Singapore, and rebut Viswa's "false and flawed" arguments.
[3] In the end, Viwsa's motion was adopted by the House with two amendments – one from Lee highlighting the principles of the Pledge as aspirations, and one from PAP MP Zainudin Nordin noting Singapore's progress towards nation building.