GE2025: Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa hopes to defend his seat, anticipates another fierce fight
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Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa has been in politics since 2006.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
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SINGAPORE – Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa hopes to stay on to defend his seat in the upcoming general election, and expects a repeat of a fierce fight against the same opponent in the last polls.
“I’m ready to stand. I look forward to serving again, and I hope I can be fielded in Bukit Panjang again,” he told The Straits Times when asked if he will be contesting the election.
The four-term PAP MP faced Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah in a closely watched fight in 2020, and prevailed with 53.73 per cent of the vote.
The SDP has announced that it will field Professor Tambyah in Bukit Panjang
In an exclusive interview with ST on April 11, Mr Liang called Prof Tambyah “a formidable opponent”.
“He wants us to think that he’s the underdog, but I don’t think that’s the case. He stands a good chance, like me, of winning the SMC. The outcome could go either way, and I’ll do my best.”
He added: “But I say this with humility – I believe I’m able to do a better job than (Prof Tambyah)... I know (Bukit Panjang) very well, and I have a track record of getting things done, be it big or small projects.”
Mr Liang is not letting his battle with cancer hold him back either.
The 60-year-old was diagnosed with stage 2 nose cancer in July 2023.
He has since made lifestyle changes such as cutting back on processed food, exercising more regularly and scheduling time for rest. He also goes for check-ups every three months, and his latest CT scan was also in the clear.
Acknowledging that the health scare could have prompted questions about whether he would step down in the upcoming election, Mr Liang said his wife and children had also asked if staying on as an MP was something he really wanted to do.
“I did think through that, but (my family) also understands my sense of mission,” he said.
“After all these check-ups and consultations with doctors, they felt I’m able to go on as per normal. Many cancer survivors also won’t stop what they do because of one incident,” he added, citing Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong as an example.
“I don’t see (cancer) as affecting me. My way of life changed, but my purpose in life itself, I don’t think that has changed.”
Mr Liang said that he takes one term at a time and does his best. When asked at the end of each term whether he could serve another, he would think about it.
“So similarly for this, after four terms, I felt that Bukit Panjang is so dear to me, if I can serve, I will go all out and try my best.”
Mr Liang, a managing director at DBS Bank, has been in politics since 2006. He represented the Zhenghua ward in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC for three terms, and was moved to Bukit Panjang SMC in 2020 following the retirement of Dr Teo Ho Pin.
In his 19 years in politics, Mr Liang has raised national issues such as improving Singapore’s economic resilience and developing home-bred industry champions. He currently chairs the government parliamentary committee for finance and trade and industry.
One of his topmost concerns now is how the tit-for-tat tariff war between the United States and China
Findings from the Joint Autonomous Universities Graduate Employment Survey 2024 showed that more fresh graduates were unemployed
Some young residents told him that it can take six months or more to get a job.
“So this is worrying,” Mr Liang said.
If re-elected, he hopes to suggest that the Government consider reviving the SGUnited Traineeship Programme, which was rolled out during the pandemic to support companies in giving opportunities to first-time job seekers.
Mr Liang also wants to address how Singapore can continue to attract investors, and leverage free trade agreements it has already signed.
“On the economic outlook, I feel that I can continue to push and make Singapore stronger,” he said, adding that strengthening Singapore on that front is his obsession.
On a local level, Mr Liang has worked to improve facilities for the ageing population in the 40-year-old estate.
About one in five residents in Bukit Panjang SMC is above the age of 60. Since he took over in 2020, three new active ageing centres and two new senior care centres
Mr Liang said he has also pushed for improvements to transport connectivity in Bukit Panjang town over the years.
When the Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced in 2020 that bus services 700 and 700A that linked the area to the city would cease operations due to falling ridership, Mr Liang worked with transport planners to find alternatives for residents.
Bus 972M was introduced to preserve the residents’ connectivity to the city,
On winning the hearts and minds of voters, Mr Liang said he feels an affinity with the residents as he grew up and lived in the area himself.
“Bukit Panjang SMC is not just a constituency I serve, it’s a home... I won’t get my block numbers wrong, I know where to go, and I will not confuse the (electoral) boundaries,” he said.
“I will serve it with all my heart.”
