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Moulmein-Kallang MP Edwin Tong could contest in Marine Parade

SINGAPORE — Moulmein-Kallang GRC Member of Parliament (MP) Edwin Tong was spotted at a Marine Parade community event today — a sign that he may be a possible election candidate there.

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SINGAPORE — Mr Edwin Tong, Member of Parliament (MP) for Moulmein-Kallang GRC, could move to contest in Marine Parade GRC after he was introduced at a community event there tonight (Aug 2) as a possible People’s Action Party (PAP) man for Joo Chiat constituency.

Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, who is the anchor minister for Marine Parade GRC, told reporters that although Mr Tong had started work on the ground in Joo Chiat only recently, he would be doing so “in earnest”.

“He’ll be learning about the area itself, getting to know the residents and seeing how best to serve them,” said Mr Tan, who stopped short of confirming that Mr Tong, who is also a lawyer, will be taking over the ward currently helmed by Mr Charles Chong.

The former single seat of Joo Chiat was redrawn into part of Marine Parade GRC in the recent Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report. Mr Chong is expected to move to contest in the Punggol East ward, which is currently held by The Workers’ Party (WP).

When asked about what he feels he could bring to Marine Parade, Mr Tong said: “I’ve had one term of experience and, in that time, I’ve learnt to interact with my residents and understand the difficulties. I think that wherever the party decides that I may be fielded, I will bring that expertise and experience to bear.”

He added: “It will not be easy to step in, but I will do what I can ... I am confident that if I am selected to stand (here), we will be able to deliver to residents.”

As for his current Jalan Besar ward, Mr Tong said it is in good hands with the team who will take over the newly created Jalan Besar GRC.

“We have worked hard for the past five years, and I’m confident that there’s a great degree of bonding (with residents).”

Mr Tan added that the strategy of the GRC has always been the same: To stay focused on the people and the issues with which they are concerned, as well as how best they can look after the people and the environment. And the work will not change, with or without the General Election (GE), he said.

He was speaking on the sidelines of the Marine Parade SG50 Celebratory Parade, which was also attended by Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong and fellow MPs Seah Kian Peng and Fatimah Lateef.

At a separate community event at Braddell Heights this morning, Mr Tan hinted that major changes to the PAP’s line-up in Marine Parade would be unlikely. “Both Kian Peng and myself are happy to remain. ESM Goh Chok Tong is still very healthy; we hope he can also continue to serve his residents here,” he said.

Noting that the five-member GRC could face a three-corner fight, as the WP and the National Solidarity Party have expressed interest in contesting in the GRC, Mr Tan said: “Marine Parade seems to be getting a lot of attention. Whoever the opponent is, the fundamentals don’t change.

“If you are focused on residents and their well being, you are focused on the community and what you are doing for it, you are focusing on how we deal with the immediate issues and, more importantly, how we deal with the long sustainability issues,” he added. ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY LEE YEN NEE

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