SINGAPORE - Labour chief Chan Chun Sing on Thursday night paid tribute to founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew at the Tanjong Pagar GRC National Day dinner, the constituency's first without its longtime MP.

In a speech, Mr Chan called on residents to continue the legacy of Mr Lee, who died on March 23, aged 91.

Mr Chan cited Mr Lee's frugality, socialist ideals and emphasis on unity as a recipe for the nation's success. "This country must never forget its socialist heart, that we will always do more for those with less," said Mr Chan. "For those with more, it's our responsibility. Only so, will we stay as one united people regardless of how tough the competition is."

Mr Chan, who was speaking to about 1,000 residents at Tanjong Pagar Community Club, added that Singapore "must never forget how to master its resources".

"We have achieved all these miracles because the Government and people have worked together as one united people," he said. "As long as we maintain that tight nexus between the Government and the people, I am confident that we can overcome whatever challenges that come our way."

To that end, Mr Chan promised to take care of the constituency, along with the rest of his team.

Besides Mr Chan, Senior Minister of State Indranee Rajah, back-benchers Chia Shi-Lu and Lily Neo - who are all Tanjong Pagar GRC MPs - as well as Minister of State and Radin Mas MP Sam Tan were also at the dinner.

Also at the event was Ms Joan Pereira, a likely candidate for the GRC.