GE2025: Incumbent WP MPs in Sengkang pledge to push for educational reform, more childcare leave
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The WP's Sengkang GRC candidates (from left) He Ting Ru, Jamus Lim, Louis Chua and Abdul Muhaimin posing for photos with residents at Rivervale Plaza on April 27.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
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SINGAPORE - Educational reform remains one of the biggest priorities of the WP’s Sengkang team, which is working on behalf of a constituency largely made up of young families, said Associate Professor Jamus Lim.
These changes range from smaller class sizes – which the team has argued for in Parliament – to later school start times, because of the huge difference such policies can make to children’s learning, said Prof Lim.
He was speaking to The Straits Times together with teammates He Ting Ru, Louis Chua and Abdul Muhaimin after a busy morning walkabout at Rivervale Plaza where, at one point, a line of people formed to take photos with the WP candidates.
Prof Lim added: “We also recognise that young parents as caregivers really feel pressure as well, so one of the things that we are pushing for not just on behalf of Sengkang residents, but for all young parents here, is the idea to have childcare leave that is catered to every child that they have.
“And that in turn will help us with our goals as a nation in helping to boost fertility.”
Over the past four days, the team has been busy with house visits, market and coffee-shop walks, and attending WP rallies on two nights.
Reflecting on the campaign trail, political newbie Muhaimin, who described his first rally speech as “nerve-racking”, said: “So far, the response is great, so we hope this translates into votes.”
Also targeting the breakfast crowd on April 27 were WP candidates for Aljunied GRC Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, Gerald Giam and Kenneth Tiong, who were at 630 Bedok Reservoir Road Market and Food Centre. Mr Singh’s wife, Ms Loveleen Kaur Walia, was also at the walkabout.
They were met by a group of residents who had pooled together $800 to buy 200 brightly coloured plastic hammers for diners at the hawker centre.
One of the residents, who wanted to be known only as Madam Lee, 76, said she has been a WP supporter since she was 21. She had bought the hammers to “spread the WP spirit”.
At around noon, WP’s Punggol GRC candidates Harpreet Singh, Alia Mattar, Alexis Dang and Jackson Au were spotted handing out fliers outside Waterway Point shopping mall. Long queues formed as people wanted to take photos with the candidates.
WP candidate for Punggol GRC Alexis Dang (right) pose for a picture outside Punggol MRT station on April 27.
ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
A Punggol resident, who wanted to be known only as Hanisha, said she is excited that the opposition party is running in her constituency.
The 23-year-old first-time voter had queued up to take a photo with Mr Singh and Ms Alia.
“The candidates resonate with me,” she said.
Mr Singh told ST that Punggol residents recognise that the WP had put forward a “solid team” to contest the group representation constituency.
“They have been waiting for a group to come forward with credibility and speak up for them about the issues that matter, and that is why you are seeing queues forming,” he said.
Ms Alia said the residents seem to resonate with the policies that the WP is proposing, but added that it will be a tough fight.
Ms Dang added: “The response has been very positive, and we are very overwhelmed by the warmth of the people here.”
