SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Sunday (Aug 16) officially announced its lineup for Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the coming General Election.

Joining the GRC - which has been downsized from a five to four-member constituency for the coming polls - is Mr Yee Chia Hsing.

He was introduced to the media together with MPs Gan Kim Yong, Low Yen Ling and Zaqy Mohamad at the PAP’s Nanyang Branch in Jurong West.

The four PAP candidates for Chua Chu Kang GRC will be:

Mr Gan Kim Yong, 56, Minister for Health

(Photo: Shushan Lam)

Mr Gan is the current Health Minister and the Government Whip. He took office in May 2011 after being re-elected as an MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC. Prior to that, Mr Gan was the Manpower Minister from 2008 to 2011. He entered politics in 2001 and was elected as MP for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC. In 2006, he was re-elected as MP to serve in Chua Chu Kang SMC.

"Our primary concern is, how can we better serve our residents? The focus is on the residents and not on winning the elections," said Mr Gan. "The election is important for the people to know what kind of society and nation we want ... what kind of leader do they want to choose and endorse."

"We want to make Chua Chu Kang a connected community," added Mr Gan, highlighting three ways the PAP will do so: Better access through public transport by connecting Chua Chu Kang GRC up to better covered link ways for pedestrians and better pathways for cycling; connecting the community together by providing spaces for community activities and renovating and upgrading community facilities; and the "Heartware", by designing programmes and activities to bring the three generations together.

Current Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Alvin Yeo also revealed the party's five-year plan for the constiuency: Connect all homes within 400m of an MRT, together with new facilities like a bowling alley, a 24-hour gym and a new hawker centre.

Ms Low Yen Ling, 40, Mayor of South West District

(Photo: Shushan Lam)

In May 2014, Ms Low was appointed as Mayor of the South West District and the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. She entered politics in 2011 after being elected as the MP for the Bukit Gombak division of Chua Chu Kang GRC.

"The living environment in Bukit Gombak has improved over the last few years," said Ms Low. "We are working with agencies to provide more transport options for Bukit Gombak. We will continue to work hard to continue to improve the living environment in Chua Chu Kang GRC."

Mr Zaqy Mohamad, 40, Director of ASEAN Accounts and Business Development, Ernst & Young

(Photo: Shushan Lam)

Mr Zaqy was elected as an MP of Hong Kah GRC in 2006, and re-elected in 2011 in Chua Chu Kang GRC after Hong Kah GRC was dissolved. He is the chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Communications and Information, and a member of the GPCs for Finance and Trade and Industry as well as Manpower.

"A lot of the work we've done wouldn't have been possible without the support of the residents," said Mr Zaqy, adding that developments in transport and infrastructure will make Chua Chu Kang GRC "a very exciting place to come".

Mr Yee Chia Hsing, 44, head of Catalist, CIMB Bank Singapore

(Photo: Shushan Lam)

Mr Yee has been involved in grassroots work in Nanyang with incumbent MP Alvin Yeo since late last month. The Nanyang ward comes under Chua Chu Kang GRC.

"I'm looking to Yee Chia Hsing to improve the community spirit in Nanyang," said current Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Alvin Yeo, who is retiring.

In November 2014, Mr Yee was appointed chairman of the PAP Punggol East branch, taking over from Dr Koh Poh Koon, who lost in the 2013 by-election in the ward against the Workers’ Party’s Lee Li Lian. In July, Mr Yee was appointed vice-chairman of the Nanyang Citizens’ Consultative Committee.

"I want to assure residents that he is not inexperienced," said Mr Gan. "Although Yee has just joined us, to serve the residents is really a long-term journey. Mr Yee is looking forward to the next five years."

"Chia Hsing has been busy following and learning from Alvin as he prepares for the next General Election," said Mr Gan, adding that Mr Yee will play an important role in reaching out to the vulnerable groups in the Choa Chu Kang area.

"I grew up in Jurong West. My parents and sister stay in Jurong West," said Mr Yee. "It's like a homecoming to me."

He added: "My background is different and I interact with a lot of different people. I have never been in civil service - and so talking to the different civil servants and getting them to explain things to me ... I hope that we can breach that gap."

Mr Yee pointed out that Mr Yeo has launched a lot of "memorable projects" in Chua Chu Kang GRC, highlighting a programme for youth to volunteer at the grassroots level.

"Personally it is through volunteering that has helped me," said Mr Yee. "When I was volunteering at St Andrea's I was called back to wheelchair a male patient who was a double amputee. While I was feeling very sorry for him, he was actually very happy."

"It made me realise that while we are getting upset over little things in our lives and the office, here is this man who can give us a different perspective," he added. "I really hope we can get more youth to step forward and volunteer."

Mr Yee also touched on the economy: "I'm quite concerned that our economy appears to be slowing down very fast. I'm receiving a lot of feedback from SME bosses that they feel the economy in slowing down."

DEPARTING CANDIDATES

MP Alvin Yeo is retiring from politics at the end of his current term. MP Alex Yam will be moved to Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, after his Yew Tee ward was carved out from Chua Chu Kang GRC to the new Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

(Photo: Shushan Lam)

"The time has come for me to step down from politics and make way for newer faces in the spirit of renewal. It's been a privilege to serve in such a great team led by Minister Gan," said Mr Yeo, who arrived at the press conference in crutches. He explained that he had injured his meniscus while playing futsal.

"I still have my day job as a lawyer," added Mr Yeo. "I probably still have to go back to that. I will still come back to visit (the Chua Chu Kang GRC residents), not to get in the way of Mr Yee, but just to visit old friends."

He also said he will now devote more time to his family.

Mr Yeo, 53, a corporate lawyer is the managing partner of Wong Partnership, entered politics in 2006 as an MP with Hong Kah GRC, and was re-elected in 2011 in Chua Chu Kang GRC after Hong Kah GRC was dissolved. He is a member of the GPCs for Defence and Foreign Affairs, as well as Home Affairs and Law.

"Over the last 10 years or so, Alvin has worked diligently on the ground, and has served our residents well. He has introduced several programmes to help the needy families," said Mr Gan. "Alvin has laid a very strong foundation for our new candidate."

Mr Gan, Ms Low and Mr Zaqy are the only remaining members of the PAP team which contested Chua Chu Kang GRC at the 2011 GE. Back then, the PAP won 61.2 per cent of the vote against a National Solidarity Party (NSP) team made up of candidates Sebastian Teo, Tony Tan, Hazel Poa, Jeisilan Sivalingam and Nor Lella Mardiiiah.

For the upcoming elections, the People’s Power Party (PPP) – helmed by former NSP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng – will likely go head-to-head with the PAP team in Chua Chu Kang.

In a break from tradition, the ruling PAP has said it will announce its entire slate of candidates for the GE before the National Day Rally on Aug 23. The Party has so far unveiled its teams for Bishan-Toa Payoh, Sembawang, Ang Mo Kio, Jalan Besar and West Coast GRCs, as well as for Sengkang West and Hougang SMCs.