SINGAPORE — After more than two decades’ work on the ground in Ang Mo Kio, including almost 19 years as an MP in the same GRC, Mr Inderjit Singh said he is “very satisfied” with what he has accomplished.

Speaking after the press conference where the People’s Action Party announced its slate of candidates for the upcoming General Election, Mr Singh – who called time on his political career via a Facebook post – said he would assist Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the election campaign in Ang Mo Kio.

But Mr Singh – known as a straight-talking politician – said that while he may no longer hold the title of MP once Parliament is dissolved, he will remain a visible presence to the public. “I’ve been around for 31 years - I think you will continue to hear from me in other capacities,” he told the press.

ON HIS TIME IN ANG MO KIO

Mr Singh, in his own words: “In Ang Mo Kio GRC I spent 21 years. I came in 1994, as a second advisor to Kebun Bahru, then I got elected in December 1996 (following a walkover in the lead-up to the 1997 General Election). So that’s 21 years. I’ve built a lot of relationship with my residents and my grassroot leaders. And I’ve enjoyed serving them.

“I’m happy to say that I’ve accomplished almost everything I wanted to do in Kebun Baru.

“I’m very satisfied with what I’ve done, whether it’s for my constituents, because I did almost all the things I targeted. In fact I refreshed the whole estate, and so now we should be focusing on building community bonding in that area; physical improvement I’ve done almost everything I wanted to do.

“But at the same time it’s very intense, because if you want to do a good job you have to spend a lot of time, and that took me away from my family and from my job. So I hope to rebalance a bit right now, but I’ll continue to do my part for Singapore.”

ON THE NEW ANG MO KIO GRC TEAM

“What’s important is that we have people with the heart to serve. Darryl David in fact had spent time with me before he went to Ang Mo Kio-Hougang, so I know he’s very committed to the ground. PM Lee has got a good mix of new and old candidates, and I think we have done our part for our residents, and I’m quite sure we will get support from Singaporeans and our residents in Ang Mo Kio.”

ON SPEAKING UP IN PARLIAMENT

“In Parliament I spoke on issues that I felt passionate about; I did not hold back on whatever I spoke, because I felt I represented the ground quite accurately, and I’m quite happy with the work that I’ve done.

“I think first of all I spoke up for the underdog, the man on the street, but I did a lot to help small and medium enterprises and the promotion of entrepreneurship in Singapore. At the national level I drove for policies like that. But I think more importantly I spoke up on issues openly, so the party leaders, the government hears about what issues Singaporeans felt. So I was willing to speak my mind, from the heart, and I think it resonated with many Singaporeans. And I’m glad that I did.

“At the national level I spoke up; I wish I could have been a lot more influential in some changes in policy, but I’m sure changes will come as we continue to address the issues.”

ON HIS FUTURE PLANS

“For now my immediate focus is to help to fight the elections on two fronts - one in Ang Mo Kio with the Prime Minister - I’m helping him organise his campaign here. At the same time I have to go and help my activists in Kebun Baru. They have a tough battle with the Worker’s Party in Nee Soon. So I’m going to spend a lot of time doing this.

“Then I hope, after the elections are over, to refocus my time, to spend more time on my work and on my family. To be frank, I spend very little time on my family and work, more time on my constituents and my parliamentary work. I have to rebalance my life at this stage - I’m 55 now. But then I’m quite sure Singaporeans will hear from me, to speak up and for them and for issues I feel passionate about.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA