SINGAPORE — Candidates from the People’s Action Party (PAP) and Workers’ Party contesting the newly created Punggol West Single Member Constituency (SMC) outlined their plans for the ward in a constituency political broadcast on Tuesday (July 7), ahead of the July 10 polls.

The constituency — which was carved out from the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency (GRC) after the electoral boundaries were redrawn in March this year — will be defended by Ms Sun Xueling, the incumbent Member of Parliament (MP) for Punggol West.

Ms Sun, who turns 41 on Polling Day, was first part of the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC team after she made her political debut at the 2015 General Election (GE).

“I hope to continue to serve you, provide assistance, and to work with you for our children's future,” she said in her speech, which was also delivered in Malay and Mandarin.

She added that she had addressed the concerns of young families by pushing for more affordable milk powder options in 2017, and fought for more childcare subsidies and government-supported childcare options in 2019.

WP’s Ms Tan Chen Chen, who is contesting her first GE, is Ms Sun’s opponent.

The 38-year-old has been volunteering with the party since 2015 by assisting outgoing MP Low Thia Khang at meet-the-people sessions, as well as being active in grassroots work at Aljunied GRC.

Delivering her broadcast in Mandarin and English, Ms Tan said that she is taking part in the elections because she wants to see Singapore become a fair, just and transparent country.

“I understand this goal will not be easy to achieve because it requires a strong opposition party to check and balance the Government,” she said.

In these constituency political broadcasts, candidates vying for single-seat wards have three minutes each to speak. Those contesting in four- and five-member GRCs have 12 and 15 minutes respectively in total.

The broadcasts are being aired on Channel 5, CNA938, cna.asia, 8world.com, CNA YouTube, CNA Facebook and TODAY at 7pm from July 3 to 8.

PAP’S PROPOSALS

• Addressing Covid-19’s impact on jobs, Ms Sun said that she has set up an online jobs and legal clinic to help residents with their queries, as well as a job placement service to help residents searching for jobs.

• She has also set up a S$200,000 Punggol West fund, targeted at supporting families “who have fallen between the cracks”.

• Ms Sun stated that she would work together closely with the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC team to develop Punggol into a valued home, should PAP candidates in both wards be elected. She said the team had introduced new preschool facilities, new primary schools and a new secondary school, among other developments.

• She added that the Punggol Digital District will also house “our newest university”, the Singapore Institute of Technology.

“I know that the external environment is very stormy, and you may feel depressed, your confidence dented. I assure you that I will work closely with the Government to identify opportunities for you,” Ms Sun said.

WP’S PROPOSALS

• Rather than opposing for the sake of opposition, Ms Tan said that the lives of Singaporeans can change only if there is “substantive action”.

• If elected, Ms Tan said that she would like to resolve basic municipal issues for the residents of Punggol West, including parking lot charges, road safety around Punggol West and vacancies for primary school students.

• She added that she will do her best to fight for the welfare of voters and to be their voice in Parliament.

• Ms Tan also hopes that more young Singaporeans can develop an interest in politics because it will help turn their ideas and hopes into reality. “The future belongs to them. They need to carve out a better road for themselves.”

“I joined the Workers’ Party as a candidate to contest in Punggol West SMC. I hope to bring the residents’ concerns to the Parliament,” Ms Tan said.