As the political landscape shifts in Jurong, the newly carved Jurong Central Single Member Constituency (SMC) is poised to become a battleground in the upcoming General Election. Red Dot United (RDU) is gearing up to field its “best candidate,” with discussions already underway, reflecting the party’s commitment to engaging with residents.
Meet the Team Lead
During a recent walkabout on 23 March 2024, RDU Secretary-General Ravi Philemon introduced Emily Woo, a party councillor and former teacher, as the team lead for activities in the constituency. “We highlighted Emily to be the team lead for Jurong Central SMC,” Mr Philemon shared. Woo, 60, who has an extensive teaching background both locally and in France, expressed her active involvement in community outreach, stressing her plans to accelerate engagement with residents in the lead-up to the election.
Challenges of Constituency Changes
The formation of Jurong Central SMC has come after a significant electoral boundary revision, which saw the splitting of Jurong GRC. RDU’s Mr Philemon expressed disappointment about the change, highlighting the party’s established presence and efforts in the area over the past five years. Nevertheless, he sees the SMC as an opportunity: “We’ll send our best candidate to contest in this constituency.” The SMC includes approximately 29,620 voters from Jurong GRC and Yuhua SMC.
PAP’s Views on the Contest
On the other side of the political spectrum, Jurong GRC MP Xie Yao Quan voiced his hopes for a competitive race in Jurong Central SMC. He stated, “I hope someone will come and contest this SMC,” underlining the significance of democratic participation. Xie, who is keen to continue serving the residents, has been part of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) team in Jurong, which has consistently performed well in elections.
Continuity and Engagement
Mr Xie, whose candidacy will be contingent upon decisions from higher up in the PAP, has emphasized the importance of continuity in service delivery to the residents. He mentioned plans to form a town council in collaboration with the new neighbouring Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, ensuring ongoing support for the community. His ongoing discussions with fellow PAP member Grace Fu, the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, aim at seamless transitions for residents of the newly formed constituencies.
What’s Next?
- RDU’s Emily Woo to lead community engagement.
- PAP’s Xie Yao Quan expresses hope for an electoral contest.
- Jurong Central SMC to feature 29,620 voters.
- Plans for continuity in services amidst constituency changes.
As the countdown to the General Election continues, all eyes will be on Jurong Central. Both RDU and PAP are positioning themselves for what promises to be an intriguing contest that reflects larger trends in Singapore’s evolving political scenario.