On Nomination Day (June 30), the People's Action Party (PAP) revealed that its first Assistant Secretary-General Heng Swee Keat will be running in East Coast GRC.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance replaces former Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say as the anchor minister in the constituency to contest against the Workers' Party (WP). WP has contested in the East Coast GRC for the third straight GE.

Heng 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."

In his thank you speech at St Anthony's Canossian Primary School, Heng assured East Coast residents that the team has a plan for them, an "East Coast" plan.

The real East Coast plan

Many residents, even those outside of East Coast, have been intrigued by the East Coast Plan.

One day later on July 1, the team has unveiled the PAP Manifesto for East Coast, "Together, We Care @ East Coast".

Besides Heng, other PAP candidates fielded to the GRC are Senior Minister of State Maliki Osman, Jessica Tan, Cheryl Chan, and Tan Kiat How.

They will be facing Nicole Seah, Terence Tan, Foo Seck Guan, Dylan Ng, and Abdul Shariff.

In the manifesto's introduction, the PAP listed the core tenets of the East Coast plan.

Here is a quick summary:

• To protect jobs, create new opportunities in the midst of adversity, and support residents to seize those opportunities.
• To take care of the needs of the seniors, and pay attention to residents who are feeling pressures over your jobs and family responsibilities.
• To work hard on longer-term projects to improve the beauty, connectivity, sustainability, and special character of East Coast.
• To understand residents' needs, and improve the physical environment, as well as develop social programmes that respond to these needs.

These caring objectives will be enacted under nine areas: family, neighbours, health, racial harmony, inclusive community, safe and secure community, environment, infrastructure, and the future.

In Heng's message to the residents, he said,

"We will carry on with our good plans for East Coast – to build a beautiful and sustainable home for you, and a caring and inclusive community where everyone has a sense of belonging and a role to play. We will take vigorous action to put your safety and well-being above all else."

Chan's message carried a similar sentiment:

"Covid-19 brought about challenges and opportunities. Many residents have stepped forward in wanting to help and give back to others. I look forward to work hand in hand with you and strengthen the social programmes under Fengshan WeCare.

This is the same spirit of care and building our future together in East Coast. We leave no one behind as everyone matters. Let’s walk this journey together, provide fair opportunities for all and help those in need."

You can read the entire plan here.

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Top image via East Coast GRC's Facebook page