Two new PAP faces at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

SINGAPORE — At least two new faces were spotted at the opening of the upgraded Residents’ Committee Centre at Toa Payoh East Zone 2 yesterday, a month after Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) potential candidates for the next General Election were already active on the ground.

They were Mr Chong Kee Hiong, 48, chief executive of OUE Hospitality REIT Management, and Mr Saktiandi Supaat, 40, head of foreign exchange research at Maybank. They are members of the Bishan East Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) and Toa Payoh East CCC respectively.

Dr Ng, who is the PAP’s organising secretary, yesterday told the media the party started looking for potential candidates who “have a record for service” soon after the last General Election in 2011 and have put them on the ground early. “You recognise that it is not always possible, but that is our preferred type of person that we want to put up as candidates,” he said.

Mr Chong has been serving as a committee member of Bishan East CCC for more than six months. He is now overseeing the organising of financial seminars for residents. He told TODAY that volunteering was a natural extension of what he has been trying to do, as he had been involved with the labour movement under Orchid Country Club while he was its treasurer and, recently, its president. The father of four hoped to give back to society, such as by helping residents understand the help that is available to them.

Mr Saktiandi has been volunteering since 2004. The father of three was involved with the Association of Muslim Professionals and began volunteering with the Kolam Ayer CCC in 2008 at Meet-the-People Sessions. Last year, he moved to Bishan and participated in meetings at Toa Payoh East CCC.

Asked whether they would stand for election as PAP candidates, both said they would be honoured by the opportunity. “If the party wants me to serve, I’d be willing to consider, as long as the residents find that my contributions are useful,” said Mr Saktiandi.

On whether they felt they were coming under the spotlight too soon, Mr Saktiandi said it was uncomfortable and that he was only a volunteer.

Mr Chong concurred. “I try not to take it as pressure in one way or the other. I came on board basically to try and help people in whatever way I can.”