PM Wong shouts out David Neo, Dinesh Vasu Dash at PAP rally as new faces with potential to be 'more than backbenchers'

People's Action Party (PAP) new faces David Neo and Dinesh Vasu Dash are among those with the potential to be "more than backbenchers", who may hold political office in government, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

David Neo and Dinesh Vasu Dash

He worked with both of them during the Covid-19 pandemic — Neo as the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) commander tasked with overseeing Covid operations, and Dinesh as the man behind Singapore's vaccination operations.

Neo directed the operations when Covid flared up in the migrant worker dormitories, ensuring close coordination between the SAF and government agencies.

"I know he's someone who will serve with courage and honour," PM Wong said.

Meanwhile, Dinesh was in charge of the vaccination roll-out, ensuring the vulnerable and the elderly got immunised in time.

PM Wong made the point that while some other countries had access to the vaccine, the process of getting their populations immunised wasn't fast enough.

However, Singapore got it done in time thanks to Dinesh's work and leadership, he said.

Hopes Singaporeans will support them

Calling them "very good men", PM Wong said that both will face fierce contests in Tampines and East Coast, but he hopes Singaporeans will support them.

"Because they will help strengthen the PAP team significantly. And Singaporeans will end up with a stronger team to serve you, a stronger team that will take Singapore forward not just for the next five years, but for the next 10, 15, 20 years," he said.

Previously at the PAP's press conference on Nomination Day, PM Wong hinted that some of the party's new faces may have the potential for political office.

He added that he would elaborate on who these individuals might be later in the campaign.

New blood

PM Wong was speaking on Apr. 24, at the party's first rally of the season at Woodlands Stadium.

He paid tribute to the members of Cabinet who recently announced their retirement, Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, and Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

PM Wong said that he would have wanted them to stay on, "if [he] were to take a very narrow perspective".

"But I cannot just focus on my needs today," he said.

That entails bringing in new blood to renew the party.

In searching for new blood, PM Wong "didn't just talent scout from people [he] worked with", he said.

He highlighted F&B director Bernadette Giam and psychiatrist and former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Syed Harun as recruits from different professional sectors.

"This year, we have 32 new faces in the PAP. It's the most we've had in recent General Elections," PM Wong said.

"I am proud of all our new candidates. Because they are capable individuals, but most of all, they are people with integrity and the heart to serve all of you."

4G team

He also endorsed the members of his 4G team.

He called Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong "experienced and steady", who he depended on while they co-led the Covid-19 Taskforce, and who is now his "right-hand man".

Gan is facing a new challenge in Punggol GRC, having been moved there out of Chua Chu Kang GRC. Punggol is also contested by the Workers' Party.

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing he described as "reliable and gets things done", and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung is his "good friend and former colleague in the civil service" with experience in three different ministries.

Meanwhile, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng has a "can-do spirit" who brought his private sector expertise to Singapore's fight against Covid.

"We talk about teamwork, but really, without individuals like them, my team would not be what it is today," PM Wong said.

Top image by Mothership, from David Neo/Instagram and Dinesh Vasu Dash/LinkedIn