Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat will lead the People’s Action Party team contesting Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the next general election. He is joined by two new candidates- social entrepreneur Cai Yinzhou, 35, and Elysa Chen, 41, executive director of Campus Impact, a charity helping less-privileged students.
The team will also include Mr Saktiandi Supaat. Both Mr Chee and Mr Saktiandi contested the constituency in the last two elections.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, 66, announced that he will retire from politics after a parliamentary career of nearly 24 years. Mr Chong Kee Hiong, who was fielded in the 2015 and 2020 General Elections, will also not be standing in the upcoming polls.
In neighbouring Marymount SMC, Minister of State for Education and Manpower Gan Siow Huang, 50, will defend the single seat constituency.
Chee Hong Tat: A key priority is to provide a safe and accessible environment for seniors
Mr Chee, who is the new anchor minister for the GRC, said that there will be no changes to the GRC’s internal boundaries.
If elected, Mr Saktiandi will continue to look after Toa Payoh East, and Mr Chee Toa Payoh West-Thomson. Ms Chen will take over Bishan East-Sin Ming from Mr Chong, while Mr Cai will be at Toa Payoh Central, formerly Dr Ng’s ward.
“As a team, we will continue to rejuvenate our town and improve the infrastructure and living environment for our residents so that this can be a good home for all our residents of all ages.”
As Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC has a higher proportion of seniors than the national average, he noted, a key priority is to provide a safe and accessible environment for them and explore ways to better engage them. Additionally, they will focus on addressing the needs of young families, he added.
He also promised to continue listening closely to residents’ feedback and suggestions, and to work with partners to implement these ideas and achieve positive outcomes for the community.
“In this turbulent and uncertain global environment, you can count on the PAP team to deliver for you…”
Earlier, he thanked both Dr Ng and Mr Chong for their service. He said he has learnt much from Dr Ng and is grateful for Dr Ng’s guidance and mentorship.
“I’m very honoured to be given this opportunity to take over Dr Ng as the anchor … It is a very big pair of shoes to fill, but I will do my best.”
Helping the vulnerable communities is close to Mr Cai’s heart
At the briefing, Mr Chee introduced Mr Cai and Ms Chen as “individuals with their hearts in the right place, and the conviction to serve”.
Since 1994, Mr Cai, a party activist, has led efforts supporting underprivileged communities and seniors. He initiated backalleybarbers, a volunteer programme the same year to provide free haircuts to low-income communities like elderly residents of rental flats and migrant workers on a weekly basis.
It started with him learning to cut hair on YouTube so as to help a worker-turned-friend get a haircut. His friend had not cut his hair for 4 months because his dad had fallen ill and racked up medical bills.
Mr Cai is also the director of Citizen Adventures and executive director of the Chinatown Heritage Centre.
Mr Cai said: “Growing up in Geylang has allowed me to meet and befriend vulnerable segments in society.”
A father of two young children, Mr Cai said that caregiving is an issue close to his heart.
“As we prepare for the effects of an ageing population, I will speak up for the support of caregivers, not just seniors, but also adults and children with disabilities or special needs.”
Elysa Chen is passionate about uplifting children and young people
Elysa Chen is the executive director of CampusImpact (CI), a social service looking after less-privileged students. CI operates after-school programmes, looking after children who needed adult supervision.
At CI, students are able to do their homework, study, and play, in a safe environment away from negative influences. Ms Chen started volunteering at the agency and later became its executive director in 2018.
A mother with a 2-year-old son, she previously worked as a junior college teacher and a journalist on the crime beat. She also served as a PAP volunteer in Punggol and a district councillor with Northwest CDC for the past five years
“I’ve had the opportunity to see how policies and ideas can be implemented on a wider scale,” she said.
She intends to be an advocate for young people and families, and said she would strive to
“take care, strengthen, and inspire our people”.
“The rising cost of living has affected every single one of us. I will ensure that our residents are aware of and can access government and community resources.”
Gan Siow Huang: The journey as an MP has been deeply meaningful
Ms Gan said she has done her best for the past five years. Her team has introduced new community programmes, and upgraded common infrastructure to make Marymount more inclusive and accessible.
“I’ve walked the ground, getting to know residents, helping the vulnerable residents, building the team, and also in creating a new Marymount identity.”
During a house visit, an elderly resident, speaking in Mandarin, touched her by reminding that an MP’s duty is to care for Singaporeans, regardless of the challenge’s daunting nature.
Ms Gan added that the journey has been deeply meaningful for her and that she hopes to have the opportunity to continue to work alongside Marymount residents and fellow Singaporeans.
“I hope that together, we can make every day a good day in Marymount and create a bright future for Singaporeans.”
A Salute to Mr Ng Eng Hen’s service
Speaking to reporters on Apr 18, Mr Ng said it has been an honour and privilege to serve his residents and Singaporeans at large for five terms.
“Leadership succession is a cardinal strength and virtue for the PAP. In 2001, incumbent MPs and ministers who could have continued for more years stepped down to make way for new candidates like myself. It is time for me to do the same.”
He added that he had informed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong some months back that it was time for him to step down to “continue that virtuous tradition, to make room for renewal and regeneration”.
He pointed out that Mr Chee, the new anchor for the GRC, is “more than capable, well-established” and has “proven himself over the last 10 years to have improved the lives of residents”.
Dr Ng, a former oncologist, entered politics in 2001 and has served in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC since then. He has been the Minister for Defence since 2011. Prior to this role, he served as Minister for Education, and Manpower. He was also Leader of the House between 2011 and 2015.
