GE2025: This election's not about ‘who speaks the loudest' but real progress, says PAP's Poh Li San
SINGAPORE –With Singapore facing economic uncertainty in a rapidly changing world, this is 'not the time for rhetoric or reinvention' but steady and trusted leadership, said Ms Poh Li San of the PAP.
She said: 'This election is not about who speaks the loudest. It is not about personalities. It is about people, it is about purpose, and it is about progress – real, visible, meaningful progress.'
Ms Poh, 49, who is facing off against Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan, 62, in Sembawang West SMC, was speaking at a rally at Evergreen Primary School on April 30.
A first-term MP for Sembawang West when it was previously under Sembawang GRC, Ms Poh said she had met and helped 10,000 residents, and held more than 500 community events and 140 active ageing gatherings over the last five years.
Ms Poh, a senior vice-president at Changi Airport Group, said she understood the pressures that residents face on bread-and-butter issues.
Asking for support from voters, she said she will continue to speak up in Parliament for residents, especially on securing jobs in a more challenging economic environment.
Ms Poh was joined on stage by her 'extended family' from Sembawang GRC, namely, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Mr Vikram Nair, who all spoke at the rally.
In his speech, Mr Nair, 46, took a shot at the SDP, which is also contesting Sembawang GRC.
Referring to the SDP's manifesto for the constituency, he said: 'What struck me was the complete absence of any plans for the Sembawang and Woodlands towns.'
He said that if a person plans to run as a candidate, running a town council should be a first priority and responsibility.
However, on April 27, Dr James Gomez, 60, who is leading the SDP team in Sembawang GRC, had told The Straits Times about a Sembawang town plan that proposed facilities such as a bicycle management storage system, air-conditioned co-working spaces, and lifts on all major overhead bridges.
At the rally at Evergreen Primary, Ms Mariam noted that some people like to criticise the role of MPs as 'glorified estate managers'.
'I think they completely missed the point,' said Ms Mariam, 48, a managing director and senior partner of the Boston Consulting Group.
'You see, every plan, every improvement we make is because you, our residents, voice the need through house visits, through MPS (Meet-the-People Sessions), e-mail, social media, and these frequent touch points keep us grounded and in touch with your experience and aspirations.'
She said: 'People used to call this place Ulu Sembawang. Soon, people will call it U-lala Sembawang!... I didn't make it up. It was a resident who commented on Mr Ong's manifesto video.'
In her Malay speech, Ms Mariam, affectionately known as Kakak MJ, said Malay-Muslim organisations such as Mendaki and Muis have come together to help families and youth in Sembawang GRC with their educational and religious needs.
She added that she had brought together other Muslim groups to raise about $300,000 for the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
Ms Poh, who had also spoken in Malay and Mandarin, said she had attended town hall meetings, void deck chats and youth engagement events.
She told the audience: 'I have celebrated your milestones and stood by you during challenging times. This is the essence of public service – not just showing up for a speech but standing by you every day after it.'
Zaihan Mohamed Yusof is senior crime correspondent at The Straits Times.
Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction
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