SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) team at East Coast GRC has been working the ground intensively to show residents that they care, said Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say today (Aug 27).

After the GRC ended up as the PAP’s worst performing GRC in the 2011 General Election, the team responded “constructively, not just with words but with action”, said Mr Lim at a press conference this morning where it was announced that the incumbent MPs would be defending the East Coast GRC in the coming elections.

Anchored by Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, the team will be rounded up by Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry and National Development) Lee Yi Shyan, Minister of State (Defence and National Development) Dr Maliki Osman and Ms Jessica Tan.

During GE 2011, PAP’s East Coast team garnered 54.8 per cent of the votes against the Workers’ Party. Asked how he thinks it would fare this time round, Mr Lim said he does not know. The GE 2011 results were “a clear enough signal” and they have taken the results seriously, he said.

He has five words to describe their philosophy: “No change but big change” — no change in the composition of their team but big changes in the way they serve residents. They have decided on going with “deep engagement and mass personalisation”, said Mr Lim.

Adding that he hopes this has been the correct response, Mr Lim said he hopes residents will give them clear feedback on whether they like the changes through their votes.

Mr Lim also said the team has always been resident-centric, and is not here to outdo the Opposition or out debate them.

What matters is having a good relationship with residents and to serve them well, he noted. He urged voters to bear in mind that Singapore needs to have good politics to have good policies to succeed in future.

[View the story "PAP unveils slate for East Coast GRC, Fengshan SMC" on Storify]