"Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong has voiced his desire to stand in East Coast GRC during the upcoming general election, stating h
“Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong has voiced his desire to stand in East Coast GRC during the upcoming general election, stating his motivation lies in “unfinished projects” that he is keen to see through.
At 55, the long-serving Joo Chiat MP was speaking at the launch of the East Coast Plan website on Tuesday (15 April), held at Block 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market. The new portal — named East Side, Best Side — provides residents with updates on initiatives rolled out across East Coast GRC since the last general election, while also laying out proposed developments for the next five years.
The website features interactive tools and information on completed works and future upgrades in areas such as Bedok, Siglap, Changi Simei, Fengshan, Kampong Chai Chee, and Joo Chiat, all of which are part of East Coast GRC following recent electoral boundary changes.
Having represented Joo Chiat for a decade, Mr Tong stressed his commitment to ongoing projects. Among them is the significant renewal of the Siglap and Frankel estates, a plan he described as “very extensive” and due to begin later this year.
The March 11 report from the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) officially placed Joo Chiat within East Coast GRC, paving the way for Mr Tong to seek continuity in his constituency work under the new structure.
“If that means serving under East Coast GRC, I’m fully on board — I’ve already submitted a request to do so,” he told reporters. However, he clarified that any formal role, including the possibility of being appointed anchor minister, would be subject to confirmation by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the People’s Action Party’s secretary-general.
Also in attendance at the event were Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How and Deputy Speaker Jessica Tan, both current MPs for East Coast GRC. They were joined by PAP’s prospective candidates Hazlina Abdul Halim, the former CEO of Make-A-Wish Singapore, and Goh Pei Ming, previously Chief of Staff in the Singapore Armed Forces.
It has already been announced that Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mohamad Maliki Osman, will step down from contesting East Coast GRC, with Hazlina confirmed to take his place. DPM Heng Swee Keat, who led the East Coast team during GE2020, was not present at the launch but remains active in the constituency as grassroots advisor.
While the full PAP team for East Coast GRC is yet to be revealed, Hazlina is the only confirmed candidate for the election on 3 May. Mr Tong stated that the full slate will be announced “”shortly””.
Reflecting on the competitiveness of the constituency, Mr Tong acknowledged the narrow margin of victory in 2020, when the PAP secured 53.39% of the vote against the Workers’ Party’s 46.61%.
“We never take the support of residents for granted. Every vote counts. We recognise our opponents and respect the competition, but we’re focused on delivering for our residents and building on what we’ve achieved,” he added.”
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