On Tuesday (June 30), the GE2020 East Coast GRC line-up for both the People's Action Party (PAP) and the Workers' Party (WP) were revealed.

Heng Swee Keat will be the anchor minister for PAP's East Coast team, which also includes Maliki Osman, Cheryl Chan, Jessica Tan and Tan Kiat How.

WP's team consists of Nicole Seah, Terence Tan, Kenneth Foo Seck Guan, Dylan Ng, and Abdul Shariff.

At a doorstop at Block 58, WP chief Pritam Singh, along with Foo and Tan, took questions from the media.

Party candidates also went on a walkabout at Bedok 85 (Fengshan Market & Food Centre).

"Strategic surprise"

Responding to a question about the party's strategy now that Heng is leading PAP's East Coast team, Pritam said that "obviously there was an element of strategic surprise on the part of the PAP".

He said he understands Heng went to the nomination centre about 15 minutes before the nomination closed, and that this "says something about the PAP's assessment of the WP team in East Coast".

"I think they see the slate as a very strong one and they know they will have to fight hard for every vote," Pritam said. He also said that he thinks that his party has a "good slate" of candidates for East Coast.

Pritam was also asked about the "Nicole Seah star power", and whether it will "boost the vote".

He then highlighted Tan, Foo and Abdul Shariff, adding that the whole team comprises individuals who can bring something to Singaporeans in Parliament.

Foo added that star power is "short-lived", and what is important is that the team comes from diverse backgrounds and expertise, and can add value to the community.

PAP candidate Cheryl Chan also did a walkabout this morning (July 1) in the same area.

When asked how she feels about the challenge from WP, she told the media that East Coast has always been a hotly-contested constituency and "every fight is a tough fight".

Additional reporting by Syahindah Ishak and Rexanne Yap. Top photo by Syahindah Ishak.