SINGAPORE — The People's Action Party (PAP) confirmed that Mr Edwin Tong will be fielded in Joo Chiat as part of the Marine Parade GRC team.

Anchored by Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin, the rest of the team will include incumbents Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, Associate Professor Fatimah Lateef and Mr Seah Kian Peng.

Joo Chiat was a single-seat constituency helmed by Mr Charles Chong, until it was absorbed into Marine Parade GRC under the revised electoral boundaries. Mr Chong is widely expected to be contesting in Punggol East Single Member Constituency (SMC).

Speaking a press conference this morning held at the PAP Kembangan-Chai Chee branch, Mr Tan emphasised that this election is about choosing Members of Parliament and leaders in government as the country embarks on the next phase of its journey.

"Do we need a government that is honest, ... accountable, and (does) right by our people? Do we need a government that is reliable, can translate ideas into realities ... and make difficult decisions when it's needed? In many ways, that's who we are as a Government," said Mr Tan.

Earlier this month, Mr Goh announced at Marine Parade's annual National Day dinner that he would be contesting in the constituency for the 10th time.

After initially contemplating retirement after 40 years in politics, Mr Goh said he decided to stay after a "long chat" with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to help in the leadership transition to the fourth-generation team.

Mr Goh today added that his appointment of Mr Tan as anchor minister in the Marine Parade team is "national leadership in action".

"If you have a good government, don't ever cause disruption to what we've been trying to do, which is national leadership transition and good governance," said Mr Goh.