Jurong GRC to be split into four constituencies, including new GRCs and SMC

SINGAPORE – Jurong GRC, which has been the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) best-performing area in the past two general elections (GEs), will be split into four constituencies for the upcoming polls.

The 132,272 voters currently in Jurong GRC will be redistributed into the newly created five-member Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, the new five-member West Coast-Jurong West GRC, the new Jurong Central SMC, and the existing Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

The new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC will have 142,510 voters, incorporating 62,424 from the current Jurong GRC, according to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report released on March 11.

In addition to absorbing parts of the existing Jurong GRC, it will take in adjacent polling districts – Bukit Batok SMC, Yuhua SMC and Hong Kah North SMC.

Meanwhile, 41,404 voters from Jurong GRC will be placed under the newly created five-member West Coast-Jurong West GRC, which will take in some estates in Jurong West and Taman Jurong. This new GRC will have 158,581 voters.

The new Jurong Central SMC will also be carved out from Jurong GRC, encompassing 29,620 voters, with 25,668 from the group representation constituency and the rest from Yuhua SMC.

The remaining 2,776 voters from Jurong GRC will be absorbed into the four-man Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, which will have 122,891 voters.

Jurong GRC has long been one of the PAP’s strongest-performing constituencies, securing 79.29 per cent of the vote in GE2015 and

74.61 per cent in GE2020,

reinforcing its status as a party stronghold.

A key figure behind Jurong GRC’s strong performance was President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who represented the area for over two decades while he was an MP.

Mr Tharman began his political career in 2001 as MP for Taman Jurong, and remained a key representative of the area until he stepped down in 2023 to

contest the presidential election.

During GE2020, he led the PAP team that included Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam, who oversees the Bukit Batok East ward, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and Education Shawn Huang, responsible for Jurong Spring.

The team also has backbenchers – Dr Tan Wu Meng, who looks after Clementi, and Mr Xie Yao Quan, in charge of Jurong Central.

Mr Huang, a first-term MP, told The Straits Times that his Jurong GRC team remains dedicated to constituents.

“Regardless of the changes in boundaries in Jurong, we are committed to serve all residents with full heart and full effort,” he said. 

Since Mr Tharman’s departure, Mr Huang has helmed Meet-the-People sessions in his Jurong Spring ward, as well as Mr Tharman’s former Taman Jurong ward. He had been a grassroots volunteer in Taman Jurong for 15 years before joining politics in 2020.

Jurong resident Benedict Lester, 35, has lived in Jurong GRC all his life. His home in the Bukit Batok East ward will be part of the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. The communications professional told ST he is curious about the slate and who the anchor minister will be.

“Losing Mr Tharman was significant – he was a major draw for the GRC. I am keen to see if there will be any big shake-ups, like whether a minister from another GRC will take the lead or if one of the current MPs will step up,” he said.

Parts of the neighbouring Yuhua SMC, helmed by Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, have been absorbed into Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC. The remainder will become part of the new Jurong Central SMC. 

“I look forward to what the future holds, and will continue to work alongside my Jurong colleagues for the betterment of our community,” Ms Fu said in a Facebook post.

She added that she will continue engagement with Yuhua residents, giving her assurance that she will watch over their interests until GE2025 is over.

In another Facebook post on March 11, Mr Xie addressed residents of Jurong Central and acknowledged that it will be turned into a single-member constituency.

“To all residents, I assure you that my work to serve and represent you continues unchanged. My team and I will also press ahead with the many plans we have to enhance all residents’ welfare,” he said.

Mr Lam Jing An, a 40-year-old finance professional who lives in Jurong East Street 32 – an area currently part of Jurong GRC that will be carved out as Jurong Central SMC – told ST that he has noticed Mr Xie’s active involvement in grassroots activities. 

He cited a recent porridge distribution event held amid the ongoing Ramadan fasting month as an example.

While he said he will miss being part of a GRC, he is keen to observe the election proceedings and how candidates will make their case to voters.

“I will miss seeing the big billboards of the Jurong GRC team, but I am looking forward to seeing how the contest will play out,” he said.