SINGAPORE- Former Member of Parliament Sin Boon Ann has been roped in to cover for Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat's absence and help look after Mr Heng's ward in the Tampines Group Representation Constituency.

Mr Sin, 58, will be appointed as Second Adviser to the GROs (grassroots organisations)  in the Tampines Central division for an indefinite period until Mr Heng recovers.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday (May 14) on the sidelines of a learning fair in Tampines, Environment and Water Resources Minister Masagos Zulkifli, who is also an MP for Tampines GRC, said the other four Tampines GRC MPs had began discussing the issue since news broke of Minister Heng's collapse due to a stroke on Thursday evening. "Our Tampines colleagues and friends had expressed wishes to support us, so I gave (Mr Sin) a call and he said he would help out as much as he can," said Mr Masagos. Mr Sin's appointment will be formally made on Monday and a notice will also be distributed to households in Tampines Central households.

Mr Masagos noted that many divisions in other constituencies have Second Advisers to GRO. "But we have never done this and maybe we should continue doing this for ourselves so (this) shouldn't be something we have to do when something happens," he said. He added that he would be taking over some of Mr Heng's duties as anchor minister of the GRC.  "Minister Heng has always been busy as Minister of Finance... we've also been filling in for him, and he does (likewise) when necessary. This teamwork in Tampines is being put to the test, and I'm very confident we will succeed," Mr Masagos added.

From Monday, Mr Sin will help to oversee the running of Mr Heng's Meet-The-People (MPS) session, alongside one of the four Tampines GRC MPs - Mr Masagos, Mr Baey Yam Keng, Ms Cheng Li Hui and Mr Desmond Choo - who will take turns to attend to residents at the Tampines Central MPS.  Mr Masagos said: "All Tampines residents can approach any of us as well... We will continue to provide the support, together with Mr Sin on board."

Mr Sin was an MP from 1997 to 2011, serving in Tampines Central throughout his time in politics. He will be helping with municipal issues as well as grassroots functions and activities, such as those involving the Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) and Residents' Committee. Mr Sin, who is the deputy managing director (corporate & finance/capital markets) at law firm Drew & Napier, reiterated that he would not be replacing Mr Heng. Instead, his role is to support Mr Heng - who is recovering in the intensive care unit at Tan Tock Seng Hospital - and continue his work in the ward.  "I do this without hesitation and it's something I'm happy to do to put Minister Heng at ease," he said.

He added: "While we are very saddened by the news of his stroke, the first priority is the needs of the residents."

Mr Jimmy Ho, 58, the Tampines Central CCC assistant secretary, noted that Mr Sin is a familiar face. "Residents know him... So It's like he's coming home," he said. "He's not here to change things, but to carry on with whatever Mr Heng (embarked) on."  He added that many grassroots leaders know Mr Sin. "In fact once in while, we still meet up with Mr Sin... we still keep in touch," he said.

Tampines Central resident Chiew Aik Leong, 52, recalled seeing Mr Sin for help when he was an MP. He had sought Mr Sin's assistance on matters related to his son's national service.  Said the admin assistant in Mandarin: "He's quite a friendly and helpful person... We welcome him back."

Some residents whom TODAY spoke said to they were not that familiar with Mr Sin. Nonetheless, they were glad that there was someone who is helping to cover Minister Heng's duties.

One of them, a 35-year-old teacher who only gave her name as Mrs Chong, said: "We trust that we are in good hands... This is a very well-run town."

On Mr Heng, who was Minister for Education before taking on the finance portfolio last October, Mrs Chong said: "We were all sad to hear the news as we like him very much... Personally, as a teacher, I feel that Mr Heng was one of the really good Education Ministers... We follow the policies he's introduced and the things that he said... We feel that he really has a heart (for the people)."

Mr Ho also spoke about Mr Heng's dedication to his work. Noting how the Finance Minister would diligently take notes while doing block visits and during his MPS, Mr Ho said: "In that way, he made sure nothing is missed out... He's someone who really listens and pays attention to all the little details." During the hustings of last September's General Election, Mr Heng would sleep over at the People's Action Party's branch office, Mr Ho recalled.

"The last time I spoke to him was last Monday, it was almost midnight.  He was asking me about (what had been going on at the MPS) as he had been traveling... As he was worried that I could not cope," Mr Ho said.