Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has been seen on walkabouts daily since Nomination Day on June 30.

Only running candidate on walkabout

July 5, the fifth day of the campaign, was no different.

This time, however, he was walking the ground solo, without his fellow East Coast GRC candidates.

Heng arrived at 16 Bedok South Market bright and early at 9am.

He headed for the shops in the wet market, but he also stopped to talk to the hawker centre patrons on the way.

While a few people seemed annoyed at the media presence in the crowded market, there were many more members of the public who were excited to see Heng.

Some even asked for Heng's autograph on their campaign flyers.

Interacting with stall owners and customers

Heng and his volunteers combed through the market, asking customers and stall owners how they were doing, and also to vote for him.

Walking through the aisles was a tight squeeze, made even trickier with safe distancing measures in mind.

Some of the stall owners shared with Heng about the uncertainty of imports and suppliers, which affected their stock of goods.

Others took the opportunity to hitch on Heng's "star power" to promote their businesses.

At one point, one of the stalls that the finance minister visited had a Styrofoam box lid with the word "Heng" hanging right next to an image of the Chinese God of Wealth.

Attending to residents' requests

While Heng's interaction with most people was brief, he took the time to listen to some residents' grievances and explain government policy.

For more complex issues, a PAP volunteer wrote down the resident's issue, name, address, and contact, so that they could come back to them after the walkabout.

But not everyone with a grievance came up to him to tell him about it.

Some are shy while one could hear others complain about the PAP just slightly out of earshot.

Exchange of views

One conversation was particularly lengthy.

Lim Chee Wah, 49, who was helping his parents' sundry shop, supposedly raised the issue of increased competition from foreign PMETs in his industry.

"Why are all the foreign talents standing at the same level as me? When I've worked my way through up from young", said the project manager working in the construction industry, speaking to Mothership.

Lim said that Heng promised to look into it and find out more about his situation.

Lim also mentioned that he was satisfied with his incumbent MP, Cheryl Chan, and had been a supporter of the PAP for the past elections.

He hopes that Heng would make the East Coast culture more vibrant, if elected.

But Lim said he is also exploring the Workers' Party call for "having a voice in Parliament."

He added, "This election, I am very fickle-minded. I am looking in both directions."

Went around the food centre

Heng later continued with another walkabout at Block 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market at around 1pm.

Heng was accompanied by former East Coast GRC MP Lee Yi Shyan on his walkabout.

Much like on June 30, Lee worked to break the ice, introducing Heng to residents.

Lee followed Heng closely on certain occasions, before splitting up with volunteers to speak to members of the public.

Heng seemed relaxed and at ease, joking with younger members of the public and talking to them.

Upon seeing Heng, some enthusiastically expressed their support for him, openly sharing where they lived and warming up to him as if he were an old friend.

One lady in particular even exclaimed in delight after taking a photo with him.

A few were even telling him that there was no need to hand them flyers, for they were voting for his party anyway.

The topic of Heng leaving Tampines GRC is still fresh in the residents' mind, with Lee conveying to Heng that three Malay ladies had asked him why Heng had left Tampines.

He assured them that Tampines was well taken care of, showing them a picture of Masagos Zulkifli who will be contesting in Tampines GRC.

But others were less enthused by the entourage.

Some cleaners and patrons were miffed by the obstruction the media scrum caused.

Due to Heng's volunteers, security officers and the media following him around, it was hard for anyone not to recognise his presence.

Speaking briefly to the media, Heng said that he thinks this election is a "serious time", before he had to leave.

Top photo by Rexanne Yap.