In a surprising move, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat is leading the People's Action Party (PAP) team to East Coast GRC.

Heng Swee Keat later explained that his move from Tampines GRC to East Coast GRC was made after a discussion with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, saying that the PAP "cannot afford a gap in East Coast in these uncertain times".

"If I move, I can do my part in East Coast. We cannot afford a gap in East Coast in these uncertain times. We need a full team that can take care of the residents and position them to come out of this crisis stronger than before. I told PM, I will move to East Coast."

FIlling in the succession gap

Heng said that he had a discussion with PM Lee regarding the succession gap after East Coast's MPs Lim Swee Say and Lee Yi Shyan decided to step down.

"The question was: should I move to East Coast? I thought long and hard about it," wrote Heng, who is very attached to Tampines and its people after serving the constituency for almost a decade.

Leaving Tampines in good hands

But Heng said that Tampines has a very good team.

"The MPs have been working well together, and with the residents. If I move, Tampines residents will still be well taken care of. I have every confidence that Masagos Zulkifli and the rest of the team can lead Tampines to new heights," wrote Heng.

He also affirmed his "successor" - Koh Poh Koon - and was confident that the Tampines team will continue to have the full support of all the activists.

Discussions with the East Coast team

Heng said that about 18 months back, he had a long dinner with former manpower minister Lim Swee Say, where they had discussed Lim's hopes and concerns for the residents of East Coast.

He also had discussions with the current team — Maliki Osman, Jessica Tan Soon Neo and Cheryl Chan, with the later addition of Tan Kiat How.

Heng was also brought on a tour of East Coast by Osman and Lee, who pointed out special features of the area.

Heng looks forward to meeting the residents of East Coast, hoping to earn their confidence for the PAP's national plan to overcome the "profound uncertainty" of the Covid-19 crisis.

"Our team looks forward to working together with our residents, to get through this crisis safely, to continue to build the East Coast spirit of care and support for one another, and to emerge stronger. We will build on the good work by Swee Say, Yi Shyan, and the team. There is so much to learn, and I will work hard to learn it."

Here is his post in full:

Top Photo by Zheng Zhangxin