PAP's Poh Li San on the looming showdown with Chee Soon Juan & his decision to contest Sembawang-West SMC

While walking the grounds of Sembawang GRC, People's Action Party (PAP) Member of Parliament (MP) Poh Li San was surprised to see a large group of Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) members.

However, Poh approached SDP's leader, Chee Soon Juan, and shook his hand.

It was a display of friendly competition, as Chee had just announced his intention to run in Sembawang West SMC.

In a conversation on Mothership's podcast, "The Mothership Podcast with XQ," Poh added that while she was surprised Chee left his commitment in Bukit Batok to run in Sembawang West SMC, she welcomed the chance to compete against the seasoned opposition politician.

"Just like in a sports competition, just do my best. And for me, typically, I do better and perform better under pressure."

"Stay where my residents are"

Though it is not confirmed where she will contest in the 2025 General Election, Poh said she would want to stay where her residents are and care for them, if given a choice.

She acknowledged that while she may run in an SMC, she has the entire Sembawang GRC "family" behind her.

"I think that's something very assuring for the residents, that our team will continue to work together to take care of them," she said.

Poh also noted that in 2020, she was voted into parliament based on residents' faith and confidence in the entire Sembawang GRC team.

However, in this election, the residents will be voting based on what she has done for the community and estate in the last five years.

"I think this time around, it will be a good opportunity for my residents to decide what works, who has put in the effort and what improvements have been made, and for those who had been assisted," she said.

Expected Chee to stay in Bukit Batok

On her potential opponent, Poh said she was surprised Chee shifted to contest in Sembawang West SMC after making commitments to residents in Bukit Batok.

Chee previously explained he felt a "void" after spending 10 years getting to know the residents of Bukit Batok and building up the community there, only to see Bukit Batok SMC absorbed into the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

He thanked the residents of Bukit Batok for allowing him into their community and vowed that he would not "leave them behind", as he intends to go into Parliament for them and with them.

Chee's move to the north is also part of SDP's "northern strategy," as the party intends to field a team in Sembawang GRC.

In response, Poh said they will do their best to have this "fair competition" and let the residents decide who they would like to be their MP for the next five years.

When asked if she could sympathise with Chee on the issue of Bukit Batok SMC's absorption, Poh pointed out the SDP chief still had agency over where to campaign in the upcoming elections.

"There is a choice to contest as an SMC or as a GRC. It's entirely up to him," she added.

She also shrugged off claims that it was harder for opposition parties to find enough suitable candidates to form the four or five-member teams required to contest a GRC, citing the size of the SDP and their intention to field teams in several GRCs.

Poh said that the strength of her candidacy rested on her track record.

"I always believe that action speaks louder than words. So you got to do the work, and the work will speak for itself.

So for me, I focus on taking good care of the ground, attending to the needs of my residents, looking out for areas where I can make improvements."

Watch the rest of Poh Li San's interview — where she also spoke on her time as a search and rescue pilot in the aftermath of the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami — on "The Mothership Podcast with XQ" here:

Top photo via Poh Li San/Facebook & Mothership