Lui Tuck Yew expresses ‘disappointment’ at Moulmein-Kallang GRC’s dissolution

SINGAPORE — Moulmein-Kallang GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Lui Tuck Yew today (July 24) expressed disappointment that his constituency would be dissolved, following the release of the electoral boundaries report this afternoon.

“I know that for the grassroots leaders, the volunteers, even the branch activists, this will come as a surprise and will also be a huge disappointment to them, but we have to understand why this is happening,” he added, referring to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s guidelines for smaller GRCs.

“I know Prime Minister has given the guidelines to the boundaries committee to have smaller GRCs, and... to create more GRCs, smaller GRCs, then naturally the boundaries will have to shift, and I think in this case, Moulmein is one of the more affected constituencies.”

Among the recommendations made by the committee, which have been accepted by the Government, Moulmein-Kallang GRC will be absorbed into four constituencies: Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, Tanjong Pagar GRC and the newly-created Jalan Besar GRC.

Mr Lui told reporters he would miss his residents “dearly” after being with them for the last nine years. “For me of course there is a sense of disappointment because I have been with the residents for so many years already and I’ve really come to become very fond of them and I will miss them dearly.

Most importantly, he said, “must be that we continue to serve those whom we have been serving all these years, and do our best for them, reach out to them as much as ever before, and when they join the new advisers in the different constituencies in time to come, then bond with the new team.”

The Transport Minister was originally elected to Parliament in 2006 as part of Tanjong Pagar GRC. During the 2011 General Election, his ward was split off from Tanjong Pagar GRC to become part of Moulmein-Kallang GRC.

“I’ve been really privileged to serve with a very dedicated team, really blessed, and I’ve benefited very much from their counsel, their hardwork, but most of all from their friendship,” said Mr Lui. “So I leave with a sense of sadness.”

Mr Lui said he had some ideas on the possible plans for him in the future, but now isn’t “the right time” for him to talk about it.

Separately, Fellow Moulmein-Kallang GRC MP Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, said he welcomed the return of Jalan Besar GRC.

"Many would notice that the neighbourhoods of the new Jalan Besar GRC are actually the same make-up of the old Jalan Besar GRC, which existed before the Moulmein-Kallang GRC was formed in 2011. I welcome back the Jalan Besar name, and I believe many residents will too. The name 'Jalan Besar' has been around for over 50 years, and many residents can identify the place with the name," he wrote on Facebook. 

"As demographics and neighbourhoods change, boundaries will be redrawn. Wherever I am called, I will continue to do my best to serve my residents in the area."

Meanwhile, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat also gave his views on the new boundaries marked by the electoral boundaries report.

Mr Heng noted that there have been no changes to the boundaries of opposition-held Aljunied, Hougang and Punggol East, reported Channel NewsAsia.

“My PAP team has been working hard, walking the ground, serving residents over the years so boundary changes or not, we will continue to serve our residents and provide the best policies for Singapore,” said Mr Heng.

“This election is going to see strong contest. We are ready, we are prepared, and we hope that fellow Singaporeans will give us their strong support, give us a strong mandate so that we can take Singapore forward. There’s much for us to do in the coming years.”

Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Chan Chun Sing also gave his thoughts on the electoral boundaries report. "While boundaries may change, our duty to care for Singaporeans and Singapore will not change," he wrote on Facebook. "Our bonds with the residents of Kreta-Ayer-Kim-Seng will always remain. Our ties with residents of Moulmein will be renewed. Looking forward to working ever closer with Singaporeans for a better home, a better Singapore."

Non-constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong told 938LIVE he was "highly disappointed" that Joo Chiat SMC, which he contested in 2011, would be scrapped. "I believe that Joo Chiat SMC has been an SMC for a long time, from 1959 to 1988, and then from 2001 until now. I would have hoped that Joo Chiat, because of its special characteristics, could have remained as an SMC," he said.

At 6.48pm today, Mr Yee also took to Facebook to express the reasons behind his disappointment.

Singapore People's Party member Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, however, said she was "happy" that Mountbatten SMC, which she contested in 2011, retained the same perimeters, and pledged to "be back at the polls" in the next General Election.

"I've been walking every corner of the constituency regularly, and met many of you who have become my dear friends over the years. I grew up in the area, so some of you know me from my youth," she wrote on Facebook. "I promise to work even harder to win the hearts and minds of Mountbatten."

In a statement to the media, Democratic Progressive Party Secretary-General Benjamin Pwee said his party was "surprised by the conservatism of the electoral boundaries report".

"The proposed changes are not as dramatic and extensive as we had expected," Mr Pwee said.

"We applaud the smaller 4-man GRCs, as it hopefully means a higher MP-to-voter ratio," he added. However, Mr Pwee said that the party was "sad to see the large 6-man GRCs remain untouched".

"In this regard, we are disappointed that the changes are not as drastic as they could be. We continue to call for more SMCs, even fewer GRCs, and a drop to 3-to-4-man GRCs."

Mr Pwee said that the DPP remained committed to standing at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

"The inclusion of parts of Moulmein-Kallang to Bishan Toa Payoh GRC will expand an already-large GRC. Given how close the margin was at Bishan Toa Payoh GRC in 2011, it is anyone's guess if the voters from Moulmein-Kallang transfered over to Bishan Toa Payoh are PAP supporters or not, and whether this will tilt the margin-of-votes for the coming GE. But we will work hard to get to know them and win their votes."

Mr Pwee called on all opposition parties "to pull together, field good-quality candidates, fight on national issues, and set aside stone-throwing and finger-pointing".

"Let's together give the PAP a good clean fight," he said.

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