SINGAPORE, Aug 13 — The People’s Action Party (PAP) yesterday kicked off the introduction of its slate of candidates for the coming General Election, with PAP organising secretary Ng Eng Hen — who unveiled his team for Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency — declaring that the mood on the ground is “good” for the ruling party. 

Citing a range of initiatives such as the Pioneer Generation Package, MediShield Life, the Bus Service Enhancement Programme. and improvements to housing which the Government has introduced in the last four years, Dr Ng nevertheless said: “But I tell all our MPs...never take it for granted, continue to be sincere and work hard, treat your residents like your relatives.” 

Dr Ng, who is also the Defence Minister, had announced said that the PAP would depart from past practice and reveal its line-up of candidates across the 29 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), barring last-minute changes.

The introduction of PAP’s candidates will take place over the next fortnight, leading up to the National Day Rally on Aug 23. 

Today, at a press conference of several firsts - among other things, it was the first time PAP formally introduced candidates at a coffee shop - Dr Ng said the choice of venue “reflects our message that this is what elections are about”. “We wanted to do it in the heartlands to put across the message that elections are about electing MPs who can take care of you and your town,” he said, as curious onlookers gathered at the coffeeshop at Block 178 Toa Payoh Central and whipped out their smart phones to take pictures and videos. 

Previously, the introductions would be done at the PAP headquarters at New Upper Changi Road.

Political analysts felt it was a “shrewd” move by the PAP to introduce candidates at a heartlands setting.  

Associate Professor Alan Chong of the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies said it showed that the PAP is learning from previous elections where there were perceptions that its candidates were “too aloof”. 

Adding that “being seen as out of touch can easily sink a campaign” in the coming GE, National University of Singapore sociologist Tan Ern Ser said: “MPs are elected to represent and serve the constituents. It therefore makes sense for potential MPs to be among their potential constituents, symbolically represented by a coffee-shop, where people gather to eat, talk, and bond.” 

Today was also the first time the PAP introduced its new faces as part of their GRC teams.

For Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, more than half the five-member team will be made up of new candidates.

They are Chee Hong Tat, 41, former second permanent secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry for the Thomson-Toa Payoh division; Saktiandi Supaat, 41, head of foreign exchange research in Maybank for the Toa Payoh East division; and Chong Kee Hiong, 49, chief executive officer of OUE Hospitality REIT Management for the Bishan-East division. — TODAY