'Newcomer to politics but not a newcomer to East Coast': Goh Pei Ming at PAP event in Fengshan

Goh Pei Ming, former SAF Chief of Staff, was spotted at a walkabout at Bedok 85 hawker centre in the Fengshan area on Apr. 12, 2025 with PAP MPs Heng Swee Keat, Edwin Tong, Tan Kiat How, Jessica Tan and Cheryl Chan.

Goh, 42, was one of two "new faces" at the East Coast GRC event, together with Hazlina Abdul Halim.

Speaking to the media, Goh shared his experience of grassroots volunteering and his personal connection to East Coast.

A newcomer to politics but not a newcomer to East Coast

Goh made the point that while he may be a newcomer to politics, he is no stranger to East Coast.

"I feel that East Coast is very close to my heart," he said.

Goh shared that he grew up in Bedok North and attended school "just a few hundred metres" away in Fengshan Primary School.

He added that he still lives in East Coast and his family and parents also live in the GRC.

Goh said that over the past 30, 40 years, he has seen a lot of improvements in East Coast, particularly Bedok Town Centre and how the interchange has become an integrated transport hub.

But the one thing that hasn't changed is the warmth and the "kampung spirit" of East Coast.

Longtime grassroots volunteer

Goh shared that he has been volunteering since 2007, ever since then-MP Lee Yi Shyan approached him and asked if he was keen on serving the community.

"I gave it a shot and I've not looked back since," he said. Over the past 17 years, Goh has enjoyed his time in the grassroots, and later became Vice Chairman of the Citizen's Consultative Committee in 2019, and Chairman of the community club management committee in 2021.

Goh said he was proud of the efforts of the grassroots team, during difficult times like the Covid-19 pandemic and more joyous occasions like organising Chinese New Year dinners.

He credited the support of his fellow grassroots volunteers for taking this step forward into politics.

Military and public service experience to the private sector

Responding to a question from Mothership, Goh said he could bring his own perspective to the private sector, even though his experience so far has mostly been in the military and the public sector.

The former SAF chief of staff also served as the SAF inspector-general and chief sustainability officer, and was previously deployed to Afghanistan.

Given his exposure to defence and security issues and geopolitics, Goh said he could bring that perspective to his grassroots work, especially for those concerned about the global trade war.

Goh shared that he has been in contact with the Hawker's Association, the Merchant's Association and small business owners to better understand their concerns.

He also said that he believes "no man is an island", and the collective experience and skills of a GRC team or Parliament can come together to serve the residents.

Having said that, he will also try his best to learn "as fast as possible" to understand the various concerns and issues.

Top image by Andrew Koay.