GE2020 constituency broadcasts: What Radin Mas SMC candidate has to say

SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate contesting Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC) outlined his plans for the ward in a constituency political broadcast on Tuesday (July 7) but his opponent, the Reform Party’s (RP) candidate Kumar Appavoo, did not turn up for the recording.

Defending the ward for PAP in the upcoming July 10 General Election (GE) is Mr Melvin Yong, 48, who is the assistant secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC).

Mr Yong was moved from the neighbouring Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency, where he was elected Member of Parliament (MP) in 2015. He takes over from Mr Sam Tan, 61, who was the Radin Mas MP for three terms.

In his three-minute speech, Mr Yong said that he will pool the support and resources of the labour movement to help place people in jobs.

“I know that I have big shoes to fill, taking over from Mr Sam Tan,” he said. “But I am not new to Radin Mas. As chairman of Tanjong Pagar Town Council, I have interacted and worked closely with many of you in Radin Mas over the past five years.”

Mr Yong’s opponent is RP’s candidate, Mr Appavoo, 51, a field oil and gas company director who contested for the same seat in GE2015.

In a press release on Tuesday, RP’s chairman Andy Zhu apologised for Mr Appavoo’s failure to attend the broadcast recording which, he said, was due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

“In return, Mr Appavoo will present his personal broadcast and upload it onto his media platforms,” Mr Zhu said.

Radin Mas SMC has more than 24,980 voters.

In these broadcasts, candidates in four- and five-member GRCs have 12 and 15 minutes of airtime respectively. Those vying for single-seat wards each have three minutes to speak.

The broadcasts are being aired on Channel 5, CNA938, cna.asia, 8world.com, CNA YouTube, CNA Facebook and TODAY at 7pm from July 3 to 8.

PAP’S PROPOSALS

• With NTUC’s support, career coaches and training programmes will be introduced at neighbourhood centres to help residents find jobs or take on new ones.

• “Your anxieties about the immediate future, your job security, and your worries about whether our children can secure good jobs when they graduate — I hear you. Your concerns are my concerns, too,” Mr Yong said.

• He noted that the town council has built outdoor lifts, barrier-free access and sheltered walkways. Homes have also been upgraded.

• He plans to create more green spaces and more amenities for the family, as well as install smart lighting and solar panels to cut energy usage.

Mr Yong said: “With your support, I will build on this strong foundation and continue to improve our estate. Together, let us make Radin Mas an even better home.”