SINGAPORE - Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu, 56, won a fourth term asthe MP for Yuhua SMC after gaining 70.54 per cent of the vote share on Friday (July 10).

The 56-year-old has served as the People's Action Party (PAP) MP for Yuhua since 2006 when it was part of Jurong GRC. It was carved out as a single-member constituency in 2011.

Standing against her was Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) candidate Robin Low, 44, an entrepreneur, who received 29.46 per cent of votes.

Ms Fu told The Straits Times over the telephone: "I'm very grateful for the mandate and thankful for the support given by my residents and activists who were very encouraging during the campaign period. "

She added that a lot of voters were worried about the pandemic and its economic repercussions: "There were a lot of concerns raised and in the nine days of campaigning, we weren't able to listen to them in detail so over the next few months, we'll make ourselves accessible."

She is the only full minister contesting in an SMC in this general election.

She has held the post of Minister for Culture, Community and Youth since 2015.

Prior to that, she was a minister in the Prime Minister's Office, as well as second minister for the environment and water resources and for foreign affairs between 2012 and 2015.

In 2015, Ms Fu retained Yuhua SMC with 73.5 per cent of the votes, beating SDP candidate Jaslyn Go, who got 26.5 per cent.

On the 3 percentage point drop from 2015 results, Ms Fu said: "I think there was a general mood swing among voters. There are some concerns about the pandemic and voters are generally worried and affected by the safe distancing measures. There are some uneasiness, anxiety and stress that manifested in the vote outcome."

In 2011, Ms Fu beat SDP candidate Teo Soh Lung with 66.86 per cent of the vote.

Ms Fu has set out nine promises to Yuhua residents, which includes retirement sum contributions for 200 seniors with little to no retirement savings and hot meals for the vulnerable.

On a house visit during campaigning, she told The Straits Times that she will look at improving last-mile amenities for seniors. About 8,000 residents, or 25 per cent of the ward, are aged above 60.

Under her care, Yuhua has been the testbed for many projects such as the Housing Board's (HDB) Greenprint, which introduced energy-efficient, water management, and waste management features within the estate.

Ms Fu is in charge of the Municipal Services Office under the Ministry of National Development.