[GE2025] Extensive changes to electoral boundaries due to population shifts; only 5 GRCs, 4 SMCs left intact

[yperic]

Opposition Red Dot United to contest Nee Soon GRC; People’s Power Party steps aside after talks

People’s Power Party’s secretary-general Goh Meng Seng with Red Dot United secretary-general Ravi Philemon at a press conference in Yishun Town Centre on March 22.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

SINGAPORE – The opposition People’s Power Party (PPP) has said it will not contest Nee Soon GRC in the upcoming general election, after holding talks with Red Dot United (RDU), to avoid a three-cornered fight with the ruling PAP in the constituency.

This means RDU will likely face off against the PAP in Nee Soon GRC in the upcoming general election, barring the entry of another opposition party.

A press conference was held jointly by RDU and PPP on March 22 at Yishun Town Centre, where both party leaders confirmed that RDU will contest the five-member Nee Soon GRC.

Both opposition parties said they had been in discussions regarding who would contest in Nee Soon GRC since the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report on March 11.

PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng said: “I have had several conversations with Mr Ravi Philemon of RDU, and we have come to the conclusion that it is time for us to move on and let RDU have a clean fight in Nee Soon.

“We have come to the agreement we will not touch Nee Soon and allow RDU to carry on to contest in Nee Soon.”

Mr Philemon, RDU’s secretary-general, hugged Mr Goh before thanking him and the PPP for stepping aside.

“Both of us have worked the ground. Both of us know what our strengths are. And RDU, we will do our best to win Nee Soon GRC for a cause that we believe in,” he said.

He added that it is too soon to announce who the party will field in the five-man Nee Soon GRC, pointing out that there are “25 candidates who have been training with us since last year”.

Observers had initially expected a three-cornered fight in Nee Soon between the incumbent People’s Action Party, RDU and PPP, after both opposition parties declared previously that they would contest there.

Mr Philemon said talks are also ongoing with other opposition parties who have indicated an interest in contesting in the same areas.

He pointed out that there has been “a lot of speculation” that there would be multi-cornered fights.

“All this is just mere speculation. There is actually very little interest for the opposition parties to have multi-cornered fights, because in the context of Singapore, that always benefits incumbents, so conversations like what RDU has been having with PPP are ongoing with several other political parties,” he said.



The RDU party, which was founded in May 2020, had started walking the ground in Nee Soon in August 2024.

During the last general election in 2020, Nee Soon GRC was contested by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and PAP.

PAP’s slate, which consisted of Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Louis Ng, Mr Derrick Goh and Ms Carrie Tan, won with 61.9 per cent of the vote.

Apart from Nee Soon GRC, the RDU has also said it plans to contest in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Tanjong Pagar GRC, and the Jurong Central, Jalan Kayu and Radin Mas SMCs.

Meanwhile, the PPP has said it intends to contest the Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs, and the Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs.

While both parties have averted a potential conflict over Nee Soon GRC, they have not sorted out which party will contest Jalan Kayu.

Mr Philemon said talks on the matter will continue.

Mr Goh said the PPP is “set for Ang Mo Kio and Tampines”, and will continue negotiations on the other two SMCs.

“But today is about Nee Soon. We will settle one by one, because if you (lump) everything together, it’s very difficult to solve problems.”

 

[yperic]

GE2025: SDP chief Chee Soon Juan to run in Sembawang West SMC

Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan announced his candidacy on March 23, in fliers distributed to residents during a walkabout in the area.ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

SINGAPORE – Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan will contest the newly carved out Sembawang West SMC in the 2025 General Election.

He announced his candidacy on March 23, in fliers distributed to residents during a walkabout in the area.

“My decision to stand here is fuelled by a steadfast commitment to you and your family,” wrote Dr Chee, adding that in the now defunct Bukit Batok SMC, he “poured (his) energy, dedication and organisational competence into serving the residents”.

Dr Chee first contested Bukit Batok SMC in the 2016 by-election, securing 38.8 per cent of the vote. At the 2020 General Election, he obtained 45.2 per cent of the vote in the single seat, which will become part of the newly formed Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

“And I am ready to bring the same passion to Sembawang West,” he said.

“I believe that Sembawang West is not just a constituency, but a vibrant community full of promise – one that can shine as a beacon for all of Singapore,” wrote Dr Chee.

So far, the National Solidarity Party has signalled its intention to contest the SMC, which was carved out of Sembawang GRC in the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, the GRC’s anchor minister, had said the change in electoral boundaries was not surprising as more residents have moved into Sembawang, and the population has expanded considerably over the past few years.

It is not yet known if incumbent Sembawang West MP Poh Li San will helm the new Sembawang West SMC in the upcoming general election.

Sembawang GRC now has five MPs: Mr Ong, Ms Poh, Mr Vikram Nair, Dr Lim Wee Kiak and Ms Mariam Jaafar.

 

[yperic]

 

[yperic]

 

[yperic]

SDP's Chee Soon Juan to contest new Sembawang West SMC, Paul Tambyah to stand in Bukit Panjang​

Chee said this is part of the party's "northern strategy".

Chee Soon Juan, Secretary-General of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), announced that he intends to stand for election in Sembawang West SMC for the upcoming general election.

This comes after Bukit Batok SMC, where he contested at in the last election, was absorbed into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

"That means I have to leave Bukit Batok, and I do that with a heavy heart," he said at a party address on the morning of Mar. 23.

He added that he felt a "void" after spending 10 years getting to know the residents and building up the community there, only to see Bukit Batok SMC absorbed into a GRC for the upcoming election.

He thanked the residents of Bukit Batok for allowing him into their community, and added that he would not "leave them behind", as he intends to go into Parliament for them and with them.

Northern strategy​

At the same time, Sembawang is not a new area to the SDP, Chee said at a media doorstop following the address.

SDP chairman Paul Tambyah was also present and spoke at the doorstop.

Previously in 2022, Tambyah announced that the party would contest in Sembawang GRC in the next election.

The party also campaigned in the region in the 2000s, with Tambyah recalling that he delivered his first political speech at an SDP rally in Sembawang in 2011.

"So it's in a way, back to old stomping grounds," Chee said.

Explaining that the party will be embarking on a "northern strategy", Chee added that the party intends to field a team in Sembawang GRC as well.

Paul Tambyah to stand in Bukit Panjang again​

Meanwhile, Tambyah will once again stand in Bukit Panjang SMC, where he contested in last election but lost to the PAP's Liang Eng Hwa with 46.26 per cent of the vote.

Chee acknowledged that the upcoming contest in Sembawang West SMC will regardless be an "uphill battle", with the party having to condense years of effort into a matter of weeks.

The team spent the morning of Mar. 23 delivering flyers to households in the estate, and will in the coming weeks start on house visits.

Chee also revealed that he previously had a "very pleasant exchange" with current Sembawang West PAP MP Poh Li San.

"They're in for a good fight," he remarked.

Background​

Chee had contested Bukit Batok SMC in GE2020, securing 45.2 per cent of the vote against PAP's Murali Pillai.

However, following the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report, Bukit Batok SMC was dissolved and merged, along with Yuhua and Hong Kah North SMCs, into Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

The EBRC explained its rationale for the change:

"Hong Kah North SMC has grown significantly and will continue to grow rapidly in the coming years, due to new housing developments in Tengah and Bukit Batok West. It has become too big to remain as an SMC.

The Committee recommended that the Tengah estates be absorbed into Chua Chu Kang GRC. To maintain Chua Chu Kang GRC as a 4-MP GRC while accommodating significant future population growth in Tengah, the Committee recommended carving out the Bukit Gombak and Hillview estates to form a new Bukit Gombak SMC.

Considerations and recommendations for the remaining Bukit Batok West estates in Hong Kah North SMC are in paragraph 14.

Even with the Tengah estates being absorbed into Chua Chu Kang GRC (paragraph 8), the remaining Hong Kah North SMC, comprising Bukit Batok West estates, is still too big and growing.

The Committee recommended that the remaining polling districts of Hong Kah North SMC, together with the adjacent polling districts in Bukit Batok and Yuhua SMCs, merge with Jurong GRC to form a new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC."

Responding to the change, Chee expressed his disappointment.

He added that he would have to "rethink" his strategy following the release of the EBRC report.

Top image by Ilyda Chua

 

[Eureka75]

Opposition Red Dot United to contest Nee Soon GRC; People’s Power Party steps aside after talks

People’s Power Party’s secretary-general Goh Meng Seng with Red Dot United secretary-general Ravi Philemon at a press conference in Yishun Town Centre on March 22.ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN

SINGAPORE – The opposition People’s Power Party (PPP) has said it will not contest Nee Soon GRC in the upcoming general election, after holding talks with Red Dot United (RDU), to avoid a three-cornered fight with the ruling PAP in the constituency.

This means RDU will likely face off against the PAP in Nee Soon GRC in the upcoming general election, barring the entry of another opposition party.

A press conference was held jointly by RDU and PPP on March 22 at Yishun Town Centre, where both party leaders confirmed that RDU will contest the five-member Nee Soon GRC.

Both opposition parties said they had been in discussions regarding who would contest in Nee Soon GRC since the release of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report on March 11.

PPP secretary-general Goh Meng Seng said: “I have had several conversations with Mr Ravi Philemon of RDU, and we have come to the conclusion that it is time for us to move on and let RDU have a clean fight in Nee Soon.

“We have come to the agreement we will not touch Nee Soon and allow RDU to carry on to contest in Nee Soon.”

Mr Philemon, RDU’s secretary-general, hugged Mr Goh before thanking him and the PPP for stepping aside.

“Both of us have worked the ground. Both of us know what our strengths are. And RDU, we will do our best to win Nee Soon GRC for a cause that we believe in,” he said.

He added that it is too soon to announce who the party will field in the five-man Nee Soon GRC, pointing out that there are “25 candidates who have been training with us since last year”.

Observers had initially expected a three-cornered fight in Nee Soon between the incumbent People’s Action Party, RDU and PPP, after both opposition parties declared previously that they would contest there.

Mr Philemon said talks are also ongoing with other opposition parties who have indicated an interest in contesting in the same areas.

He pointed out that there has been “a lot of speculation” that there would be multi-cornered fights.

“All this is just mere speculation. There is actually very little interest for the opposition parties to have multi-cornered fights, because in the context of Singapore, that always benefits incumbents, so conversations like what RDU has been having with PPP are ongoing with several other political parties,” he said.



The RDU party, which was founded in May 2020, had started walking the ground in Nee Soon in August 2024.

During the last general election in 2020, Nee Soon GRC was contested by the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and PAP.

PAP’s slate, which consisted of Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Louis Ng, Mr Derrick Goh and Ms Carrie Tan, won with 61.9 per cent of the vote.

Apart from Nee Soon GRC, the RDU has also said it plans to contest in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Tanjong Pagar GRC, and the Jurong Central, Jalan Kayu and Radin Mas SMCs.

Meanwhile, the PPP has said it intends to contest the Jalan Kayu and Tampines Changkat SMCs, and the Ang Mo Kio and Tampines GRCs.

While both parties have averted a potential conflict over Nee Soon GRC, they have not sorted out which party will contest Jalan Kayu.

Mr Philemon said talks on the matter will continue.

Mr Goh said the PPP is “set for Ang Mo Kio and Tampines”, and will continue negotiations on the other two SMCs.

“But today is about Nee Soon. We will settle one by one, because if you (lump) everything together, it’s very difficult to solve problems.”

RDU will be lucky to get 30% since they are not that well known and consist of mostly ex SDP and PSP members and associated with that crazy lawyer M Ravi

 

[carlongerdidu93]

total: 2,573,226 voters, addtional +158,486 votes (+6%) since ge2020
1:36 min: looks like jalan kayu smc might turn into a grc in the future

 

[yperic]

RDU will be lucky to get 30% since they are not that well known and consist of mostly ex SDP and PSP members and associated with that crazy lawyer M Ravi

This party is waste time sure lose election deposit.

 

[Eureka75]

This party is waste time sure lose election deposit.

If they contest one on one with PAP still will retain deposit since there is 25% of Singaporeans will vote any opposition, if PSP or SDP come in then they will lose their deposit

 

[yperic]

Edwin Tong aims to integrate Joo Chiat into East Coast GRC seamlessly as possible​

Part of the East Coast Plan.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, the newest addition to the East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) team, said on Mar. 23 that he has been discussing with the team about how to integrate his ward, Joo Chiat, into plans for the East Coast.

This hints that Tong — who is also Second Minister for Law — is likely to join the People's Action Party (PAP)'s East Coast line-up for the upcoming general election (GE).

Tong made these remarks at a media doorstop after a walkabout at the Pasar 16@ Bedok hawker centre, located at 16 Bedok South Road, on the morning of Mar. 23.

Tong and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, who currently helms the East Coast GRC team, went from table to table to engage residents and converse with stallholders.

Photo by Daniel Seow.

Photo by Daniel Seow

Photo by Daniel Seow

Photo by Daniel Seow

Photo by Daniel Seow.

It was Tong's first walkabout in East Coast GRC since his Joo Chiat ward — currently part of Marine Parade GRC — was subsumed into East Coast.

This was the result of boundary changes announced in the Mar. 11 Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report.

Looking to integrate Joo Chiat into East Coast: Tong​

Later, when asked by Mothership if he felt welcomed in East Coast GRC, Tong said, "I feel so".

Tong said he was warmly welcomed by the East Coast GRC team, and that he felt "a sense of genuine warmth" from residents in the area.

Photo by Azrizal Abu Che'

When asked about the new boundaries, Tong observed that his ward of Joo Chiat was "neighbours" with Heng's own Bedok ward.

"Electoral boundaries are just electoral boundaries, but people exist on both sides of the line, families on both sides...that's why I think there's a lot of synergy between what has been started at East Coast, via the East Coast Plan, and what we've been doing at Joo Chiat," he said.

Tong added that "food on both sides of the border is equally good" and they are looking to "build on that" by improving dining offerings and expanding recreational spaces such as along the East Coast Parkway (ECP) area.

"Now that we have a longer stretch that we can work with, we are looking at that and discussing with DPM and other colleagues some of their plans to see how we can integrate Joo Chiat into East Coast," said Tong.

Tong said that having served in Joo Chiat for the past 10 years, he had the opportunity to start a number of programmes there.

"Painful as it is to leave Marine Parade GRC, I hope that if I'm given an opportunity, I would be able to serve residents in Joo Chiat, but under East Coast GRC," he added.

East Coast Plan​

Referring to the East Coast Plan introduced by Heng in the 2020 election, Tong said his first step was to understand the people and the way in which the plan impacts and improves of residents in East Coast.

Tong added he aims to minimise disruption for residents in Joo Chiat, and wished to integrate Joo Chiat into East Coast in as seamless a manner as possible.

"So that there's minimal disruption to them, the programmes that we have promised and we started in Joo Chiat will continue, and we plug into the East Coast programme quite seamlessly," Tong said.

Still not confirmed​

When asked if the new boundaries means Tong will be contesting in East Coast, Heng caveated that the PAP's final lineup would be determined by PAP's secretary general, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

"I've given him my inputs, so we will wait for Nomination Day", said Heng.

Tong added that he and Heng had entered politics in the same year, and know each other personally.

He also expressed gratitude for Heng welcoming him into the East Coast GRC team.

"He (Heng) has given me a lot of his time to give me insights, show me the ropes and give me a good understanding of East Coast GRC", said Tong.

Tong is still a Marine Parade GRC Member of Parliament (MP).

On Mar. 22, one day ago, Tong had been spotted on a walkabout at Marine Terrace Market with his fellow Marine Parade GRC MPs.

Top image by Azrizal Abu Che'

 

[sg-united]

ET and Heng are heavy weights. Confirmed take East Coast GRC.

 

[AndreFLo]

ET and Heng are heavy weights. Confirmed take East Coast GRC.

I think Hsk most likely going back to Tampines Grc now that they are 1 man short following the carving out of Tampines-Changkat smc.

 

[sg-united]

I think Hsk most likely going back to Tampines Grc now that they are 1 man short following the carving out of Tampines-Changkat smc.

Without Heng, ET alone may not be able to defeat WP.

There is no need Heng to go to Tampines given that Tampines is a stronghold of PAP.

 

[yperic]

GE2025: ‘I hope someone will come and contest’ newly carved Jurong Central SMC, says Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan​

"I think it is going to be good for residents to have a chance to exercise their democratic right and to make a choice," said the Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan.

Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan meeting residents during a morning walkabout at Jurong West on Mar 23, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Raj Nadarajan)

SINGAPORE: Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Xie Yao Quan said that he hopes to see a contest at the newly formed Jurong Central SMC in the upcoming general election, as it is important for residents to exercise their rights to vote.

The first-term parliamentarian, who helms the Jurong Central division of Jurong GRC that has been carved out as a single-seat constituency for the next election, said this on Sunday (Mar 23) in response to questions from the media about his thoughts on an opposition party contesting the area.

Red Dot United (RDU), which contested Jurong GRC in 2020, has announced after the redrawing of electoral boundaries earlier this month that it intends to field a candidate in Jurong Central.

“I don't know who will come and contest this SMC. I also don't think it is the most productive exercise for me to be thinking about who will come and contest, but I do hope that someone will come and contest this SMC,” said Mr Xie.

“I think it is important, I think it is going to be good for residents to have a chance to exercise their democratic right and to make a choice that's in their best interest. So I hope somebody will come and contest.”.

Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan meeting residents during a morning walkabout at Jurong West on Mar 23, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Raj Nadarajan)

Mr Xie stressed that whether or not he will stand as a candidate is up to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is secretary-general of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP).

However, Mr Xie added that he hopes to have the opportunity to continue serving the residents of Jurong Central.

Jurong GRC has long been seen as a PAP stronghold, with the party’s teams fielded there emerging as the best performing GRC in terms of vote share in the past two elections.

In 2020, led by then party stalwart and senior minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the five-member team which included Mr Xie, garnered over 74 per cent of the votes against the newly formed RDU.

Mr Tharman resigned from his parliamentary, party and Cabinet posts in 2023 to contest the presidential election.

For the upcoming general election, which must be held by November though political pundits expect it to be held as early as May, Jurong GRC will be split up and merged with other constituencies.

Mr Xie was speaking to members of the media on Sunday morning at the sideline of a walkabout at Jurong West Street 41.

Asked by CNA if he has any thoughts on his chances and whether he would be taking a different approach now that he could be potentially contesting as an SMC candidate without Mr Tharman, he said: “My mantra is, we take good care of residents. We let the rest take care of itself.”

He said that he and his team have been consistently walking the grounds and has rolled out various initiatives to help residents over the last five years.

“Every election, every contest, is different. We will just take it one contest at a time, and ultimately, it's about going out there to win the trust and the hearts and minds of our people, and that's what we intend to do,” he said.

Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan meeting residents during a morning walkabout at Jurong West on Mar 23, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Raj Nadarajan)

Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan meeting residents during a morning walkabout at Jurong West on Mar 23, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Raj Nadarajan)

ASSURANCE FOR EX-YUHUA RESIDENTS​

One of his future plans for Jurong Central, if he is given the opportunity to continue there, is to form a town council together with the new, neighbouring Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, said Mr Xie.

“As it is, Jurong Central division together with four of the divisions in the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC are already served by the same town council, so we want some continuity there,” he added.

The upcoming Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC is formed by taking in polling districts from Bukit Batok, Hong Kah North and Yuhua SMCs and Jurong GRC.

Jurong Central SMC will comprise the existing Jurong Central division and some polling districts from Yuhua SMC, which is currently helmed by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

Mr Xie noted that Ms Fu has already said publicly that she is engaging her residents and assuring them that there will be a proper handover to the new constituencies.

He said that he has yet to engage the residents at the affected Yuhua area, as it is not yet certain that he will be contesting in Jurong Central SMC in the first place.

“In terms of walkabouts and me engaging the residents there, it will come in due course, when our plans are clearer,” he said.

However, he has been “in very active discussions” with Ms Fu to look at the existing programmes for residents of Yuhua and Jurong Central to see how they can be brought together.

“Ultimately we want some continuity in the programmes, so we are working out the details. But I want to assure residents that our focus is to make sure that there's continuity and that residents will continue to be well taken care of,” said Mr Xie.

Source: CNA/tq(gr)

 

[yperic]

王瑞杰副总理和唐振辉部长，3月23日到勿洛南路16号的栢夏坊巴刹熟食中心走访居民。在接受媒体访问时，王瑞杰指东海岸和如切有很多相似之处，并期待与唐振辉合作，实施更多计划惠及居民。：海峡时报 ：曾嘉琪

阅读完整报道：https://zb.sg/uMfU

#zaobaosg #新加坡 #新加坡新闻 #新加坡人 #新加坡政治 #新加坡大选 #2025年新加坡大选 #王瑞杰 #唐振辉 #如切 #东海岸 #sgnews #singapore #singaporean #livinginsg #sglife #singaporeelection #sgelection2025 #ge2025 #HengSweeKeat #EdwinTong #joochiat #eastcoast #politics #politicians #viralsingapore #viralreels #trendingsingapore #trendingreels

 

[yperic]

S'pore Democratic Alliance & WP 'in contact' about new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC: SDA chairman Desmond Lim​

Strategy

The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) conducted a walkabout at Pasir Ris-Changi GRC on Mar. 23, 2025.

Specifically they had their first walkabout at Loyang, which was part of East Coast GRC back in 2020.

They started the walkabout at Loyang Point before heading to Loyang Rise.


Image from Mothership




Back then, a Workers' Party (WP) team, led by Nicole Seah, challenged the PAP team there led by DPM Heng Swee Keat.

The PAP team won with 53.39 percent of the vote to 46.61 per cent.
In the EBRC report, polling districts from East Coast GRC, namely Loyang and Flora estates, were merged with some districts from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC to form the new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.

This has led to some questions over who will run in this constituency.

Desmond Lim, the chairman of SDA, fielded some questions from the media on whether they will be running in this GRC after the walkabout.

When asked if they were competing in Pasir Ris-Changi, Lim said they had been contesting in Pasir Ris-Punggol since 2006, and now with Changi has been "carved into" Pasir Ris, he felt it was their duty to "extend their services".

Asked if they were in talks with WP, Lim said he had entrusted that "task" to his secretary-general, Abu bin Mohamed, and that they were already in contact.

Lim said he would share more with the media when the "time is right".

When asked about new faces and potential battle areas by SDA, Lim kept his cards close to his chest, saying he would make that known during nomination day.

"This is part of our strategy... if I tell you now, the PAP will know, then that's not called strategy anymore."

Image from Mothership

 

[yperic]

Desmond Lim, chairman of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), fielded some questions about the coalition's battle plans during a walkabout in Loyang, Pasir Ris on Mar. 23.

He kept most of his cards close to his chest, but voiced optimism at their election chances.

 

[yperic]

PAP's Xie Yao Quan 'hopes' for contest in new Jurong Central SMC, could face RDU's Emily Woo​

"I hope somebody will come and contest," Xie said.

Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Xie Yao Quan looks forward to a contest in Jurong Central Single Member Constituency (SMC), although with the caveat that he has not yet been confirmed as a candidate for the SMC.

Xie, 40, was elected in the 2020 General Election (GE) and helms the Jurong Central division of Jurong GRC.

This has since been carved out to become a separate SMC following the release and adoption of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's (EBRC) report on Mar. 11, 2025.

Hopes for a contest​

CNA reported Xie as saying, on Mar. 23:

“I don't know who will come and contest this SMC. I also don't think it is the most productive exercise for me to be thinking about who will come and contest, but I do hope that someone will come and contest this SMC."

Xie added:

“I think it is important, I think it is going to be good for residents to have a chance to exercise their democratic right and to make a choice that's in their best interest.

So I hope somebody will come and contest.”

Potential face-off with Red Dot United​

That "someone" Xie is hoping for could be from opposition party Red Dot United (RDU).

RDU told CNA, on Mar. 23, that it intends to contest Jurong Central SMC in the upcoming GE.

During a walkabout at Yuhua Market and Hawker Centre, RDU also introduced Emily Woo, a 59-year-old piano teacher, ST reported.

RDU made a Facebook post noting that Woo will be doing most of the ground work in the SMC ahead of the election, and will be taking the lead in the area:



When asked if Woo would be fielded by CNA, however, RDU's secretary-general Ravi Philemon was circumspect:

“It’s too early to say. But I mean, it's plain for everyone to see that Emily is here.

We have highlighted Emily to be the team lead for Jurong Central SMC."

Previously, RDU introduced Kala Manickam as their "groundwork leader" for Jalan Kayu SMC.

Jurong without President Tharman​

Xie noted that whether he stands as a candidate in Jurong Central SMC will depend on Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is currently Secretary-General of the People's Action Party (PAP).

Xie, a first-time parliamentarian, was introduced by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam during the 2020 GE to replace Ivan Lim.

When asked about whether he was taking a different approach to the upcoming election, given he could be fielded as an SMC candidate without President Tharman at his side, Xie replied, "My mantra is, we take good care of residents. We let the rest take care of itself."

Jurong GRC has developed a reputation as a PAP stronghold.

Garnering nearly 75 per cent of the votes, Jurong GRC was the best performing constituency for PAP in GE 2020.

Jurong has seen four contests during its lifetime as a GRC, and they were the best performing constituency in 2015 as well.

In three of them, the PAP won with over 70 per cent of the votes, with the 2006 election an uncontested walkover.

With the one constant in all of these dominant wins, President Tharman, removed from the equation, it remains to be seen if PAP's dominance in the area will be affected.

Top photo from Xie Yao Quan/Facebook & Emily Woo/Facebook.

 

[jericho75]

Without Heng, ET alone may not be able to defeat WP.

There is no need Heng to go to Tampines given that Tampines is a stronghold of PAP.

Et is take BMX bicycle one?

 

[yperic]

Anyone want to make a guess where will WP send their star catch Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh to contest in the upcoming GE.