The People’s Action Party (PAP) has been actively engaging residents in Sengkang GRC, with a new team of potential candidates working the ground since 2022. This comes as the party seeks to regain the constituency it lost in the 2020 General Election.
Former senior minister of state Lam Pin Min, who was part of the losing team in 2020, has continued to be active in Sengkang West. He is now joined by new PAP branch chairpersons—Theodora Lai, Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat, and Bernadette Giam.
During a walkabout on March 30, Dr Lam emphasized the team’s commitment to engaging residents. He noted that despite being a new team, they had been walking the ground consistently over the past few years. He acknowledged that reclaiming a constituency is always a challenge, but the team’s dedication speaks for itself.
Ms Lai, 39, is a principal at private equity firm Tembusu Partners, while Prof Elmie, 43, is a communications and new media academic. Mrs Giam, 38, is a director at local food and beverage enterprise Creative Eateries. Dr Lam, 55, highlighted that the team has a good gender mix, diverse strengths, and a shared passion for serving residents.
One of the factors believed to have contributed to the PAP’s loss in Sengkang in 2020 was its all-male candidate slate. In contrast, the Workers’ Party (WP) fielded a youthful team that resonated with Sengkang’s population, which consists of many young families.
Dr Lam and his team have received various feedback from residents, particularly on transportation issues. Concerns include the crowded Light Rail Transit (LRT) system and the need for better connectivity. These are issues they aim to address if elected.
On March 30, the PAP team visited Rivervale Shores, a Build-to-Order (BTO) project completed in 2023. They also made stops at Sengkang Grand Mall and Buangkok Hawker Centre, where they engaged with residents and distributed toy bears with “PAP Sengkang” printed on white shirts.
Ms Lai emphasized that such visits help the team connect with residents and provide them with a platform to raise concerns. Prof Elmie, whose research focuses on digital media effects, pointed out that digital safety and well-being—especially for children and seniors—is an area where more can be done.
Among those who received the toy bears was Jason Wong, 29, who moved to Sengkang from Hougang in 2023. Mr Wong, an operations specialist, will be voting in Sengkang for the first time in the upcoming election.
While he acknowledged the PAP’s efforts, he noted that a large-scale walkabout alone would not influence his vote. Instead, he values consistency and genuine engagement. He recalled how former PAP branch chairman Ling Weihong frequently visited his estate, addressing issues such as debris in stairways and carpark connectivity.
Mr Ling served as branch chairman of Sengkang East from March 2022 to November 2023 before being replaced by Marcus Loh, who stepped down in January 2025 due to family commitments. Mrs Giam has since taken over the role.
Mr Wong emphasized that he and his wife are looking for an MP who listens to residents’ concerns. As first-time voters in Sengkang, they will be paying attention to both local engagement and the parties’ national-level plans before making their decision.
With the next general election expected in 2025, the PAP’s efforts in Sengkang will be closely watched. Whether their renewed ground efforts will be enough to win back the constituency remains to be seen.
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