The People's Action Party (PAP) has announced its candidates contesting in the highly-anticipated Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC in the upcoming General Election.

At a press conference held at the constituency's Limbang branch on Saturday (April 12), incumbent MPs — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Senior Minister of State (SMS) for Manpower Zaqy Mohammad,  Mayor of North West District Alex Yam and Hany Soh — stated that they will continue to represent PAP in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

This is the first of the PAP’s official full slate introductions ahead of the General Election.

PM Wong said the PAP has finalised its slate of candidates for the upcoming general election, saying that it will field more than 30 new candidates - the largest in recent history - in its 2025 slate.

Thanking the constituency's residents for their support, PM Wong said: "All these years, we've formed close ties and strong bonds with all of you. We've watched your children and even your grandchildren grow up and walked with you through (your) life's milestones."

"We've worked hard to improve your lives and your living environment, from neighbourhood upgrades to support schemes and community initiatives. We've listened to you, and we've incorporated your feedback and ideas into our town plans for the next five years."

"So we ask for your support to continue in the next term. We pledge to serve you, support you and stand with you, and make Marsiling-Yew Tee a better home for all."

On whether he has any targets for himself or the party for the upcoming election, PM Wong said he has no vote share in mind.

He added that he will do his best and expects the same of the rest of the team and in the end, they will respect the decision of Singaporeans.

"Whoever is going to be here - the SDP has said they will contest - and whichever team they send, I assume it's going to be a fierce contest. I don't take the view that just because I'm here as Prime Minister, it's a sure win, or we will surely get above average," he said.

"This applies to other constituencies as well...There are no longer any safe seats. Every seat can be a hotly contested seat, and it's no one can tell beforehand which one will be the most hotly contested, frankly, because anything can happen in a campaign."

When asked about criticism claiming that the ruling party was "instilling fear" in voters with its stance on tariffs, PM Wong said he and his team will always focus on doing the right thing for Singapore and Singaporeans.

The Government will make rigorous, objective assessment of the threats and challenges that Singapore faces, and be upfront and transparent with Singaporeans, he added.

Also during the press conference, SMS Zaqy spoke about the incumbent team's existing and future rejuvenation plans for public facilities such as shelters, walkways, playgrounds and fitness centres as well as major projects like the refurbishment of Woodlands Checkpoint.

"I'm glad that many of the residents I've met on the ground in the past month [and] years, have also noticed the rejuvenation...that's been going on in Marsiling," he added.

Mayor Alex Yam addressed residents as well, saying: "I believe in working with all of you, listening to the voices of our residents and building a home where the resident can thrive.

"Therefore I ask for the (residents') continued support for our team to keep serving, to keep building and to keep moving forward together."

MP Hany Soh then expressed her wishes to advocate for matters "very close to (her) heart".

"I'm very committed to (speaking) up for them and (working) with them for all of these policies and initiatives to come into fruition," said Soh, who is a lawyer by profession and has raised various issues in Parliament regarding parental leave and support for caregivers

Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC is currently anchored by PM Wong, whose team garnered 63.18 per cent of votes in the 2020 General Election against the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP).

SDP also previously lost to PAP in 2015, winning 31.27 per cent of the votes.

On March 30, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan confirmed that the party once again intends to contest in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.

The constituency will have 119,352 voters in the upcoming election.

bhavya.rawat@asiaone.com

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