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Support teams that best represent voters’ interest: PM Lee

SINGAPORE — As Singaporeans mulled over the changes to the electoral boundaries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (July 24) called on voters to “support the candidates or teams who will best represent their interests, both in the constituency and as the Government of Singapore”.

Voters casting their votes. TODAY file photo

Voters casting their votes. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — As Singaporeans mulled over the changes to the electoral boundaries, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong today (July 24) called on voters to “support the candidates or teams who will best represent their interests, both in the constituency and as the Government of Singapore”.

In a post on his Facebook, Mr Lee said: “Wherever the boundaries may be drawn, MPs (Members of Parliament) should serve the residents they represent to the best of their ability.”

Mr Lee noted that the electoral boundaries review committee - which he had appointed two months ago - had fulfilled his directions, including having smaller Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and at least 12 Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), as well as taking into account population shifts and the establishment of new towns. He noted that there are now six four-member GRCs, compared to two previously, and eight five-member GRCs which is three fewer than before. “To make smaller GRCs and more SMCs, some boundaries have had to be changed,” Mr Lee said.

Apart from Mr Lee, several ministers also shared their thoughts on the report released by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) today.

Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew expressed disappointment over the dissolution of his Moulmein-Kallang Group Representation Constituency (GRC). The area — which is currently represented by Mr Lui, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, Ms Denise Phua and Mr Edwin Tong — will be absorbed into four constituencies: Holland-Bukit Timah, Bishan-Toa Payoh, Tanjong Pagar and Jalan Besar GRCs.

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

He added: “I know that for the grassroot leaders, the volunteers, even the branch activists, this will come as a surprise and will also be a huge disappointment to them.”

However, Mr Lui noted that the changes to the electoral boundaries were in line with the guidelines given by the Prime Minister to the EBRC to have smaller GRCs.

Separately, his fellow Moulmein-Kallang GRC MP, Dr Yaacob, 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,” he wrote on Facebook.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said the People’s Action Party is prepared for the upcoming elections.

“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,” he told the media on the sidelines of a rehearsal for the Youth Celebrate event.

Mr Heng, whose Tampines GRC remains unchanged, added: “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.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC, said in a Facebook post: “While boundaries may change, our duty to care for Singaporeans and Singapore will not change ... Looking forward to working ever closer with Singaporeans for a better home, a better Singapore.”

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