'As a PAP MP, I welcome competition': Ng Ling Ling ready to take on opposition in new Jalan Kayu SMC

Although three opposition parties have already expressed interest in the newly-carved out Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC), MP Ng Ling Ling remains undeterred.

Speaking to reporters at the opening of Tzu Chi Renal Dialysis Centre on Mar. 13, Ng said that she "welcomes competition" as an MP from the People's Action Party (PAP).

"It is part of democracy. Whether it is one-on-one, a three-cornered battle, or even a four-cornered battle, we are ready," she said, according to Shin Min Daily News.

She had said in an earlier Facebook post on Mar. 11 that she hopes to continue caring for current residents, while also getting to know new residents who have been absorbed into the new SMC in advance of the 2025 General Election.

A positive change

Ng, 53, was elected as an MP in 2020 and has served in the Jalan Kayu division of Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) ever since.

In its Mar. 11 report, the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) recommended reducing the size of Ang Mo Kio GRC — the most-populated of any electoral division, with 190,800 electors — and carving out a new Jalan Kayu SMC.

It will include private estates along Jalan Kayu Road, the Seletar Aerospace park, and some public homes in Fernvale.

On whether she would contest in Jalan Kayu during GE2025, Ng said: "It doesn't matter where I serve, as long as I do my best. Wherever I am, I will do my best to serve the people."

She added that given the size of Jalan Kayu, the changes "seem to be a positive one to enable good MP-resident ratio so more attention can be given to residents".

Ng explained that the current Jalan Kayu division comprises around 47,000 electors, which is higher than the national average of 28,500 people per MP.

Once it is carved into an SMC, the number of electors will be reduced to 29,565 — a better MP-to-resident ratio, she said.

Top image from Shin Min Daily News