‘We don’t take anything for granted’: Every vote in East Coast GRC vital to PAP, says Edwin Tong
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Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong (seated, centre) with (seated, from left) PAP new face Hazlina Abdul Halim, Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and National Development Tan Kiat How, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jessica Tan and PAP new face Goh Pei Ming after an event at Bedok Food Centre and Market on April 15.
ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
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SINGAPORE - Every vote will be vital to the PAP in East Coast GRC, and the ruling party’s team there will not take anything for granted, said Culture, Community and Youth Minister Edwin Tong.
During a media interview on April 15, Mr Tong was asked for his thoughts about a contest against the opposition WP and how confident he was, given the PAP’s narrow win in the constituency at the last election in 2020.
“We don’t take anything for granted,” said Mr Tong.
“Every vote will be vital and critical for us, and we will endeavour to persuade our voters, our residents of East Coast, that we merit and we deserve to win their vote of confidence and trust.”
The PAP garnered 53.39 per cent of the vote in East Coast GRC at the last election, with the WP capturing 46.61 per cent.
Mr Tong was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a briefing for the launch of the East Coast Plan website,
He added that while the most important aspect of an MP’s job is looking after residents, voters also need to consider Singapore’s broader interests.
“We respect our opponents, whoever they might be, but we do want to emphasise the work that has been done, and we will continue to endeavour to work hard to look after our residents,” he said.
“An election is not just about the local MP, but also the selection of the Government, and the ability of the Government to look after Singapore and Singaporeans’ longer-term interests.”
Mr Tong was also asked if he could confirm if he would be the anchor minister for East Coast GRC.
In response, Mr Tong said this will be confirmed only when the team has been cleared by the party’s secretary-general, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
“There is a regular cadence of teams being announced, starting a few days ago, and in due course, (the slate at) East Coast GRC will be announced,” he said.
“All I will say is that for myself, I have asked to be in East Coast,” said Mr Tong, who oversaw the Joo Chiat ward under Marine Parade GRC before Parliament was dissolved on April 15 ahead of the general election on May 3.
His ward was carved out of Marine Parade GRC
Mr Tong said: “I felt that my best value is really to continue to serve the residents in Joo Chiat. And, if that meant moving to East Coast GRC, I would like to do that, and I have made a request for that to happen.”
Also at the briefing on April 15 was former SAF chief of staff – joint staff Goh Pei Ming, who was last seen at a walkabout with the East Coast GRC team at Bedok 85 Market
Asked if his presence at the briefing was an indication he would be fielded in East Coast GRC, Mr Goh said he was still waiting for his deployment to be finalised.
“But in the meantime, I think I am making full use of every opportunity to better understand the ground,” he said, adding that he is familiar with Kampong Chai Chee and Bedok as he grew up there.
He said there are other parts of East Coast GRC that he is eagerly making his way around.
Mr Tong said Mr Goh brings value to the team and has been going around understanding East Coast and its residents.
Mr Tong added: “He knows the needs of our residents, and I think, in particular, he knows how to address their concerns.”
