PAP candidates in opposition wards have 'most challenging tasks': PM Wong

In any election, the PAP candidates with the most challenging tasks are those standing in opposition wards, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the launch of the People's Action Party (PAP) manifesto on Apr. 17.

Hougang SMC, Aljunied GRC, and Sengkang GRC are currently held by the opposition Workers’ Party.

PM Wong said the PAP teams have been working hard and are in "good spirits" and "ready to fight".

He introduced eight new candidates who will be fielded in opposition-held wards.

Adrian Ang

PM Wong first introduced Adrian Ang, who has served as Toa Payoh Thomson Branch Secretary for more than 10 years.

Calling him a "good steady person with ground experience", he recounted how Ang agreed "without hesitation" when asked if he was prepared to go to Aljunied.

Elmie Nekmat

Elmie Nekmat, Branch Chair at Sengkang Central for the past four years, is also a professor of communications and new media at the National University of Singapore (NUS).

PM Wong said he puts what he teaches to "good use on his social media platforms" and has forged strong bonds with residents.

Faisal Abdul Aziz

Faisal, a dental surgeon, has been a community volunteer since his school days.

He also served in Kaki Bukit for 10 years, and many volunteers and residents know him well, PM Wong said.

Bernadette Giam

Giam has been "speaking up" for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and on women's issues.

PM Wong added that she will be an "equally strong advocate" for working parents and youths in Sengkang.

Theodora Lai

Lai built a network to "connect and empower fellow young female leaders", PM Wong said.

She has been actively walking the ground in Sengkang, even during the arrival of her second child, he shared.

Marshall Lim

Lim, a criminal lawyer, has "a heart for the underdog", PM Wong said.

He has done pro bono legal work and served in the newly set up Public Defenders Office.

PM Wong said he hopes the people of Hougang will give him a chance to represent them.

Daniel Liu

Liu has made an impact since his introduction with his "witty remarks " and "comparisons with Ed Sheeran", PM Wong said.

He wants to create opportunities for residents to create their own version of success, he added.

Jagathishwaran Rajo

PM Wong said Jaga is a dedicated party activist, having served in Holland-Bukit Timah and later in Aljunied.

He is a "long-time trade unionist" in NTUC, currently advocating for freelancers and self-employed persons, he added.

These eight new candidates will be led by two veterans: Lam Pin Min in Sengkang GRC and Chan Hui Yuh in Aljunied GRC, PM Wong said.

Here to serve

PM Wong said the new candidates represent a "wide range of life experiences and backgrounds".

"They are here to serve, and to find good solutions for their residents and for Singapore," he said.

"To all our PAP candidates, all of you, all of us, are warriors, and wherever we stand, let's be very clear, this will be a tough election."

PM Wong emphasised that they must never assume the "PAP will automatically win the election" just because they have been "in power all this while".

Stressing that they cannot take any vote for granted, he urged candidates to "fight hard for every single vote, in every single constituency".

Top photos by Fasiha Nazren/Mothership and PAP's website