Ong Ye Kung on 3-corner fight in Sembawang GRC: Let voters choose in 'contest of good ideas'

At the Canberra Day event, Minister of Health and Member of Parliament (MP) for Sembawang GRC Ong Ye Kung paid tribute to his colleague, Lim Wee Kiak.

Lim served as the MP representing the Canberra division of Sembawang GRC from 2006 to 2011 and then from 2015 onwards.

Alongside Ong and Lim, two new faces were introduced as the Second Advisers under the Canberra division, Gabriel Lam and Ng Shi Xuan.

Lam is the chief operating officer of the moving company Shalom International Movers.

Ng is the director of Powermark Battery and Hardware.

Ong shared that both Lam and Ng will be under Lim in the Canberra division as it is the next area that will expand rapidly,

He pointed out that the north of Canberra will see more Build-to-Order flats and more amenities coming up in that area.

In addition, Ong paid a heartfelt tribute to Lim, describing him as the "local boy" who grew up in Sembawang and eventually became an MP and adviser to the area.

Ong expressed his gratitude to Lim for staying on despite wanting to retire in 2020.

Lim stayed on at Ong's request because Ong was a new anchor minister and needed help.

"Lim has been a very special advisor to Sembawang GRC and a friend."

When asked by the media if the tribute could signal Lim's resignation, Ong said that he gave the speech as Lim was a good friend.

"I felt that it is time to give him a tribute, to really recognise all that he has done for [Sembawang] GRC, for this division and also for me."

Contest of good ideas

When asked to comment on the potential three-cornered fight with the National Solidarity Party (NSP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), he said he was not surprised by the prospect.

"I guess for residents here, they will get to exercise their democratic choices, and each party should put forward their own idea. Make this a contest of good ideas, and let voters make their choice."

Ong added that his team has worked very hard over the past five years at Sembawang GRC, and the people can see the changes.

"So I think residents are fair-minded. Who has been doing all the work? They know. Who turns up during election, they also know."

Top photos via Hannah Martens/Mothership