SINGAPORE — The fact that he will be leading a team with no experience in fending off opposition competition in elections — himself included — in the coming polls is not something that fazes Mr Chan Chun Sing, the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) anchor minister in Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

“Our belief is very simple: If we do our job conscientiously, if we discharge our duties responsibly, our residents will take care of the results for us,” said the labour chief yesterday, as he introduced two political newbies joining his five-man team, at a coffee shop near Tanjong Pagar Plaza.

Former senior police officer Melvin Yong and former public servant Joan Pereira will join incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) Ms Indranee Rajah, Dr Chia Shi-Lu and Mr Chan in defending the constituency of Singapore’s founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died in March, in the upcoming General Election (GE).

Since Tanjong Pagar GRC was formed in 1991, the PAP has in successive elections won the constituency in a series of walkovers.

The GRC was also the only constituency that was uncontested in the 2011 election.

However, Singaporeans First has declared its intention to buck that trend in the coming GE.

Two-term MP Sam Tan yesterday also announced that he would be defending his Radin Mas single seat, which the Reform Party is also eyeing.

On the ruling party’s focus on leadership renewal in the coming election, Mr Chan, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, said potential leaders should be competent individuals who care deeply for the welfare of Singaporeans and are committed to serving the nation.

A good leader, he added, must also understand the various perspectives held by different people in society, and be able to bring them together for a common goal.

“This (was) the same for the 1960s generation, and this is the same for our generation. It will not be right ... for us to assume that we have arrived, and to be complacent (and believe) that there are no fault lines in our society,” said Mr Chan.

To that end, Mr Chan gave his stamp of approval to the newcomers on his team. On Mr Yong and Ms Pereira, he said that in their own capacities, they had “made sure that every strata of society was well taken care of”.

At the weekend, outgoing Transport Minister Lui Tuck Yew was seen introducing Mr Yong to residents in his Moulmein ward, a large part of which will be absorbed by Tanjong Pagar GRC, under the redrawn electoral boundaries.

Yesterday, Mr Chan also reiterated that Tanjong Pagar is a “special constituency” that embodies the Singaporean spirit, as its transformation from a tough environment in the past mirrors how Singapore has evolved from a Third to a First World country.

He also recalled Mr Lee’s reminder to never rest on one’s laurels.

Mr Chan said: “We must, as Mr Lee once constantly reminded us, make sure that in each and every living moment of our lives, we’ll continue to strive for better living conditions for our residents.”

FACT FILE:  Melvin Yong, 43, Former Assistant Commissioner of Police

• Married with two children
• Left the Singapore Police Force on Monday, after two decades of service
• Initiated youth and community engagement programmes during his stint as Commander of Clementi Division from 2010 to last year
• Served on the National Crime Prevention Council and National Police Cadet Corps Council
• Has been involved in Punggol North grassroots organisations since 2002, and was previously vice-chairman and chairman of the Punggol Cove Residents’ Committee.

HE SAID:  “Stepping into politics allows me to have a different platform — a bigger platform — to be able to do more. If I can contribute, I think I should. I’ve really been a beneficiary of all the policies and systems that the PAP has put in place in the past 50 years.”

Ward: Tanjong Pagar GRC

FACT FILE: Joan Cheng Sim Pereira, 48, Assistant general manager of Temasek Cares

•  Helped implement the People’s Association’s Wellness Programme in all 87 constituencies from 2007 to this year
•  Married with two children, aged 17 and 20
•  Has been involved in grassroots activities for 25 years

SHE SAID: “Having served people all my working life, I believe in the benefits of strong bonds. When deep bonds are formed among families and neighbours, they look out for one another. They share one another’s joys and challenges, resulting in strong families, strong communities and a strong Singapore.

Ward: Tanjong Pagar GRC