'I feel I can contribute here, I know this place very well': WP stalwart Yee Jenn Jong on returning & contesting East Coast

After his last election in 2020, Workers' Party veteran Yee Jenn Jong announced that he would retire from politics.

He wrote two books — one about his 15 years with the WP, another on the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) scheme — and a few children's comic books too.

But in a surprise turn of events, Yee, who turned 60 last month, appeared in a WP video featuring its slate of candidates for GE2025.

"I'm stepping up. Again," he said.

Help where I can: Yee

Speaking at an Apr. 25 doorstop at Bedok 85 Fengshan Food Centre, the grandfather of three said that he had indeed planned to retire from active politics.

"If I [may] borrow the words that I quoted in my book...'old soldiers don't die, they just fade away'," he said.

"So that was my intention. To be there to help where I can."

The phrase was uttered by Douglas MacArthur, an American general who retired after years of service — but was later recalled to active duty to fight in World War 2.

Like MacArthur, who was recalled due to his familiarity with the area under attack — Southeast Asia and the Philippines, in the general's case — Yee felt he could contribute in GE2025 "because [he] knows this place very well", he said.

Former Marine Parade areas now in East Coast

Yee explained that over a quarter of East Coast residents were from the Marine Parade area, due to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's redrawing of the boundaries.

Marine Parade was where Yee contested during the last two elections.

About 40,000 residents from Chai Chee and Joo Chiat — which in 2011 was an SMC, and where Yee narrowly lost against the People's Action Party's Charles Chong with 48.99 per cent of the vote — have also been subsumed into East Coast.

"So I will contribute whatever I can to the team," he added, "because I feel that we are a very good team that deserves a chance."

Why not Marine Parade?

On the topic of Marine Parade, Yee acknowledged that the party's volunteers have "invested a lot of time" in working the ground there.

When he first stood in Marine Parade in 2015, the team lost with 35.93 per cent of the votes.

The team's performance improved significantly in 2020, winning 42.26 per cent of the vote against the incumbent PAP.

This led to wide speculation that WP would contest in the constituency a third time — speculation which ultimately proved false.

"I guess we are price-takers," Yee said, echoing what WP secretary-general Pritam Singh said in a press conference ahead of Nomination Day.

He gave the example of how he competed in Joo Chiat SMC, but it was later merged into Marine Parade GRC.

"So yes, I contested Marine Parade. I'm very happy with the teams that have been there since...I think we just build on whatever is there. Whatever is given to us, we make the best of the situation," he said, also pointing out that 2015 candidate for Marine Parade, He Ting Ru, became an MP for Sengkang in 2020.

"So we decided to come to East Coast, and we will be very focused on East Coast." At the same time, the party will "leave it to the residents" to decide, Yee said.

Give this team a chance: Yee

Referencing his three past losses, he admitted that "it's always very difficult" going against the PAP.

"Whether you feel confident or not, in the end, it's the voters who decide, and we'll respect their choice, whatever their choice is," he said.

"But we really want to appeal to residents — please do give this team a chance.

Listen to them, listen to their stories, listen to how they have overcome many things to be here today. Even having to quit their jobs that they have worked so hard for, just to be your voice in parliament; to be your representative for this estate.

So please do give them a chance."

Top image by Saraniyah/Mothership