Manpower Minister Josephine Teo will be contesting in Jalan Besar GRC with her team: Heng Chee How, Denise Phua, and newcomer Wan Rizal.

Both Heng and Phua are currently Members of Parliament representing Jalan Besar GRC. Teo is being moved over from the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, while Wan Rizal is a first-time candidate.

Current MPs of Jalan Besar GRC Yaacob Ibrahim and Lily Neo will be stepping down.

Speaking to the media this morning (June 29) at Beo Crescent Market, Teo said that she experienced the warmth that Jalan Besar constituency residents have for Yaacob and Neo when she walked around the area:

"They are very well-loved and I think they will be missed very much by all our residents. They have also left us very big shoes and so the next team knows that this is a very high level of commitment that we must also continue to demonstrate."

Teo also highlighted the veteran MPs in her team — Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng and Mayor of Central District Phua who have more than three decades of service between them:

"Chee How has been serving in Whampoa since 2001 — so 19 years. Denise has been serving in Kampong Glam since 2006 — 14 plus years....much of the transformation that you see around Jalan Besar — they had a hand in it."

Despite all of the change that Heng and Phua had effected in their constituency, both told Teo that they value, above all, the relationship and bond with residents that were cultivated over the years.

"So if you ask me, I think for the Jalan Besar team that the PAP is fielding this election, the most important asset is the relationship and the bonding that we have with the residents," said Teo.

"So Rizal and I have the honour and privilege to serve alongside Chee How and Denise if the residents give us the opportunity."

Teo added that she is aware that it takes years of interacting with residents and nurturing relationships but the one thing that she wants to focus on right now is getting to know the residents in the Jalan Besar constituency.

Top image by Joshua Lee.