Singapore — After working the ground for the past 16 months, Mr Kahar Hassan, previously flagged as a potential People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate for Aljunied GRC, is stepping down as chairman of the PAP’s Kaki Bukit Branch, fuelling speculation he could be redeployed.

Announcing his departure today (July 31) on Facebook, Mr Kahar, 46, said party leaders made the decision last Saturday for him to move out of Kaki Bukit, which is located in the Workers’ Party-held Aljunied GRC. Speaking to TODAY, he said: “It is a party decision but my thoughts goes out to the residents.”

Mr Kahar was tight-lipped about his future plans, stressing that he is leaving up to the Prime Minister to decide. The business development director of an engineering company said that before he was helping out in Kaki Bukit, he had 18 years of grassroots experience in Tampines under former National Development Mah Bow Tan — who is tipped to be retiring in the coming General Election (GE).

Last Sunday, anchor minister for Tampines GRC Heng Swee Keat named two possible candidates for his constituency: Mr Desmond Choo, who previously contested twice under the PAP flag in Hougang, and Ms Cheng Li Hui, who is vice-chairman of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee in Tampines East.

Tampines GRC currently has two Cabinet ministers — Mr Heng, who is Education Minister, and Mr Masagos Zulkilfi. Mr Masagos, who was the minority candidate for the GRC in the 2011 GE, was promoted in April to Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office. Observers had noted it is unlikely for two Cabinet ministers to remain in the same constituency.

When asked about his replacement, Mr Kahar declined comment. TODAY understands that Mr Kahar’s replacement could be introduced to party activists over the weekend.

Since he was posted to Kaki Bukit last March, Mr Kahar has been building relationships with the residents. For instance, he is currently on his third round of home visits and has stepped up his evening sessions for residents to seek help, from holding them monthly to holding them weekly since May last year.

“Because this is an opposition ward, you can’t really parachute someone in, you really need to build relationships … you need to demonstrate u can do better,” said Mr Kahar, adding that he had built a bond with the residents.

Nevertheless, he said: “We are all party members, we must be a team player, we go to where the party needs.”

On Wednesday, Mr Kahar and the other potential PAP candidates for Aljunied GRC attended a Hari Raya dinner in the constituency. On why he did not announce his departure then, Mr Kahar said the event was “a joyous moment”.

Fellow Aljunied GRC grassroots leader Chua Eng Leong, who has also been tipped to stand in the constituency, said he was caught unaware by Mr Kahar’s exit. “I am surprised … I read it on Facebook,” he said. “(Mr Kahar) is warm, intelligent and you can count on him.”