Some upheaval has unexpectedly taken place in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

For some years, it has been a somewhat predictable constituency, as far as elections go.

PAP vs SDA

2015 saw a People's Action Party (PAP) team led by Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean defeat a Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) team with about 73 per cent of the vote.

2011 also saw Teo Chee Hean's PAP team beat an SDA team.

2006 also saw the same thing.

But 2020 will be slightly different.

For the first time since it was formed as Pasir Ris-Punggol in 2001, voters will see a three-cornered fight between the PAP, the SDA, and a new team from the People's Voice.

[CONFIRMED] Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC:

PAP - Teo Chee Hean, Desmond Tan, Yang Wanling, Janil Puthucheary, Mohamed Sharael

SDA - Desmond Lim, Abu Mohamed, Harminder Pal Singh, Kuswadi Atwani, Kelvin Ong

PV - Lim Kay Cheow Jireh, Prabu Ramachandran Mohamed Nassir, Goh Keow Wah

— Mothership (@MothershipSG) June 30, 2020

Four MPs have left

GE2020 also marks the departure of Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Ng Chee Meng, who has left to contest Sengkang GRC, and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Sun Xueling, who has left to contest Punggol West SMC.

Zainal Sapari and Teo Ser Luck will also not be in the team.

This means that only Teo and Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information Janil Puthucheary remain of the old team.

Newcomers Mohamed Sharael Taha, Yeo Wan Ling, and Desmond Tan Kok Ming will join them.

With such changes, and having three new potential Members of Parliament to mentor, does Teo feel he needs more time to guide them?

"Feel honoured" to guide MPs - Teo Chee Hean

In a press conference on June 30, Nomination Day, Teo said in response to a question from Mothership:

"I feel honoured to be able to bring up MPs, and to allow them to be able to grow, and also to bring their experience to other constituencies and to look after the residents there."

Teo said that Ng and Sun had gone to stand in other constituencies, but he feels excited about his new team.

"I've got very, very good people who've come in, three of them. And they come from diverse backgrounds. Yeo Wan Ling, social enterprise background. Mr Sharael Taha, he's a senior managing engineer in the aerospace industry. And I've got Desmond Tan, who's got a long solid record of public service, both in the SAF and PA."

Teo said he's worked with them, they were "good, solid people", and he was confident that together with Janil, they could look after the residents of Pasir Ris-Punggol.

He added that he was happy to be able to contribute new MPs to other constituencies, and he was grateful for those who have served with him for many years.

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Top image from Teo Chee Hean FB page and CNA video.