5 reasons why the PAP East Coast touched our hearts on this hazy night

Sharmaine Chan| Sarah Tan| Eisabess Chee| September 09, 11:57 PM

Tonight’s PAP rally for the East Coast GRC saw more than a thousand people making their way from work towards the field at  Block 155 Simei Street, curious as to what the candidates had to offer at the eleventh hour.

The crowds came sweeping in by the hundreds, supporters holding their LED signs with pride. It seemed like any other rally, but as the night progressed the atmosphere turned almost pensive. There were no throwing shade (*cough* Holland-Bukit Timah *cough*) at the Opposition, no scare-mongering. Instead, the entire team took more grounded approach, choosing instead to share with the crowd what they have done and what they will promise to do — almost like a plea.

Here are 5 moments during the 3 hour rally that we couldn’t help but go ‘aww’ in response to:

 

1. He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother

Photo by Kelly Wong Photo by Kelly Wong

PAP East Coast candidate Lee Yi Shyan hopped aboard the bandwagon of ship metaphors. He repeated a Chinese proverb “同舟共济” (crossing a river in the same boat), which meant staying together on the same boat.

He also commented: “Hard work is not sufficient. We need to navigate to know the dangers ahead” and stressed that “we need an experienced captain and a competent crew.” This is a testament to his having been on the ground and knowing where the problems lie, for “working on local issues has always been my priority”.

2. For real, they’re listening to you

Photo by Pandora Wong Photo by Pandora Wong

Two-term backbencher Jessica Tan endeavoured to ensure residents that the fears of Singaporeans left behind would never materialise.

The PAP East Coast GRC candidate envisions an even more inclusive Singapore, and pledged to continue refining means testing to ensure that no one falls through the cracks. All throughout, her tone was mellow but not without conviction. “The team has heard you,” she said. “Your voices matter.”

In the last moments of her rally speech: “To make Singapore a safety net for all, we need a collective mindset shift,” she urged. “Do it together with the PAP,” she urged.

 

3. Ohana means family. And family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.

Photo by Bernice Wong Photo by Bernice Wong

With his petite frame, it seemed like Dr Osman Maliki was about to break into tears as he spoke.

He kept emphasising the “trust and relationship” between the people and him, urging that “as PAP candidates, they listened with their hearts”. Even in his husky voice, Maliki told voters that PAP would go on “walking the ground, talking to (you on) the ground”.

He promised that every resident would feel “important, understood and appreciated” because in the end, he and his team was there only to “build a Singapore of the future” with the people. And this Singapore is all about ohana. He exhorted, “For every divorced family, is a family to be saved.” Nobody gets left behind, indeed.

4. Lim Swee Say(s he has a heart)

Photo by Bernice Wong Photo by Bernice Wong

A number of us can see our grandfather in Swee Say. It’s true: he’s a little long-winded, but he always has your interest at heart. The Manpower Minister apologised in Mandarin for his slip ups in the past (heng ah), but continued by saying he “has neither a PHD nor Oxford brain, but has a Singapore heart”. (Cue the awwwws.)

With each policy he introduced, he would pause and seek the approval of the supports, after which he would continue on.

He has a heart, guys. He cares.

5. Trust in Tharman

GE2015 SINGAPORE Photo by Pandora Wong

Tharman, oh Tharman. Our Deputy Prime Minister tried his utmost best to show the East Coast residents how tirelessly Swee Say has worked better their lives and build trust with his residents, so things would never be the same without him.

Time and again, he drew the crowd in by emphasising that “[the government has] a lot more to do” but promised to keep striving for the better.

To him, strong leadership means “listening, actively engaging, continually adapting” to situations for people’s welfare and he vowed that PAP is about “moving with people and moving people with [them]”.

In the end, DPM was all about building up that bond between the people and the team again, moving further away from the top-down model of government in the past. “You know what I mean,” he smiles wryly. “Yah!” Someone in the audience yells back.

 

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