Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng Swee Keat has surprised many Singaporeans with his move to helm People's Action Party (PAP)'s East Coast GRC team on Nomination Day (Jun 30).
While the attention now falls on his plans for the East Coast GRC, Heng also showed the Tampines residents that they are close to his heart, having spent a decade in Tampines as their anchor minister.
One of the first few things that Heng did after Nomination Day was to visit Tampines to show appreciation to the residents and to ensure a proper handover to Senior Minister of Trade and Industry Koh Poh Koon.
Koh was a former Member of Parliament in Ang Mo Kio GRC, and moved to Tampines GRC to replace Heng on Nomination Day.
This series of photos captures the significant moments of Heng's first visit to Tampines
Heng arrives with the new Tampines GRC PAP team on July 1 at around 6:15pm.
Tampines will always be a special place for Heng. Heng said in a Facebook post about his "Tampines roots" on June 30:
"I am proud of so many things in Tampines — most of all, the people. This is not just the place where I started my political career. My time here has shaped many of my political views and beliefs. My belief in listening to the people and acting on the genuine feedback you raise, my conviction that we are strongest as a people when we are united, my faith that Singaporeans have the strength to overcome and the kindness to help one another. I have sought, together with you, to shape Tampines into a truly special town. In many ways, you have also shaped me."
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
The new Tampines GRC PAP team now consists of Koh and Minister of Environment and Water Resources, Masagos Zulkifli, as well as Baey Yam Keng, Desmond Choo and Cheng Li Hui.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Heng took a photo with his "successor", Koh, at the iconic watermelon playground at Tampines Central Park.
This is one of the two watermelon playgrounds in Singapore and one of the few playgrounds of distinct local design. As such, this playground is part of the Tampines heritage trail.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Well, you might be wondering why Koh took the spot that Heng has vacated in the Tampines GRC PAP team.
Here's what Heng has to say about his successor:
"When I knew I was leaving Tampines, Poh Koon’s name came to mind as a possible successor. I have gotten to know Poh Koon well in the last few years. We meet weekly at Cabinet, and Poh Koon drives two of the industry clusters under the Future Economy Council. We were on several overseas trips together. He is a capable, driven and dedicated leader. Through his work at NTUC Singapore, I also know his heart is in the right place — for our workers, and for all Singaporeans."
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
In Heng's Facebook post, he also added that this trip also reminded him of how Sin Boon Ann introduced him to the residents nine years ago, when he passed Tampines Central’s baton to me after GE2011.
Sin was a MP in Tampines GRC from 1997 to 2011 before handing it over to Heng.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Heng feeling "same warmth" from Tampines residents during his visit.
While Tampines has transformed pretty much since Heng took over, Heng said that the warmth and kindness of residents here have remained unchanged.
Even after the announcement of him leaving the constituency, Heng still received warm welcome from the residents. He said:
"Today, I once again experienced this same warmth of our Tampines residents as I showed Poh Koon around."
Heng also assured people that he believes Tampines is in good hands.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Heng was also heartened to see Koh forming a "natural bond with residents" very quickly.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Heng and Koh also spotted a rainbow that afternoon.
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Like many former residents of Tampines he's met, Heng said that he is proud to say he's from Tampines even though he has moved out of this "first home".
This unspoken bond will help him to connect with others as he gets to know more people in East Coast GRC which is just "next door" to Tampines GRC.
"I had many similar encounters since I became an MP in Tampines GRC. From Tuas to Tanjong Pagar to Toa Payoh, I meet people who greet me warmly with the words “I am from Tampines!”. Work or family or other life events may have brought them elsewhere, but their hearts are still with their first home.
When we know we share Tampines in common, there is an unspoken bond. They are happy where they’ve moved to, but they also say there will never be another place in their hearts like Tampines."
Photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.
Top photo © Lim Wei Xiang for Mothership.