Two incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) MPs in single-member seats yesterday said they will stay put to defend their respective constituencies at the general election.
Senior Minister of State for Health and Manpower Amy Khor - PAP's top scorer at the 2011 polls with 70.6 per cent of the vote - will contest Hong Kah North SMC.
Two-term MP Lim Biow Chuan will contest Mountbatten SMC, where he got 58.6 per cent of the vote in 2011.
Dr Khor, 57, and Mr Lim, 52, have represented residents in their wards for 14 and nine years respectively. Both expect to face challengers from the Singapore People's Party (SPP) at the coming polls.
Dr Khor told reporters she is not taking anything for granted, despite her strong mandate in 2011 against the SPP's Mr Sin Kek Tong.
"Every election is a new election. It's like a test. I have to start from zero and work my way up," she said. "I will campaign very hard to earn the strong support and confidence of residents."
She also unveiled a five-year plan for the ward at an exhibition at a void deck in her constituency.
A total of 44 HDB blocks will undergo the Home Improvement Programme by 2020, while two precincts of 40 blocks will come under the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme. Residents can also look forward to new linkways, fitness corners and playgrounds. The upgrades will cost over $80 million, which is to be split between the HDB and the town council.
She also plans to train more volunteers to visit the homes of elderly residents, especially those living alone and those over 65 who request such visits.
In Mountbatten, Mr Lim's candidacy was announced by Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin outside the PAP branch office.
Mr Tan, the anchor minister for Marine Parade GRC, praised Mr Lim for his work as chairman of the Marine Parade Town Council, which also looks after Mountbatten SMC.
"Some of the estates in the town council are getting older, and how you administer the sinking fund is really important," he said.
Mr Tan added that Mr Lim meets residents up to five times a week, and has been vocal in Parliament, and "dogged" in lobbying for greater focus on character development in schools, concession fares for polytechnic students, and the lemon law to better protect consumers against defective products.
Mr Lim said he would "want to continue to influence policies so that we can have a kinder and more compassionate society".
He promised more covered linkways and upgraded amenities, and to improve access to public transport for private estate dwellers, who form half his constituents.
He is likely to be challenged once again by lawyer Jeannette Chong- Aruldoss, now with the SPP.
Said Mr Lim of the contest: "I always welcome competition, it keeps you on your toes."
