Residents at centre of everything we do: PAP’s Cheryl Chan
Ms Cheryl Chan was supported by Mr Raymond Lim (left) and Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say (right) at her maiden rally. Photo: Raj Nadarajan
SINGAPORE — Drawing on her decade-long experience as a grassroots volunteer, the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) candidate for Fengshan Single Member Constituency, Cheryl Chan, yesterday reminded residents of the upgrades the area has seen over the years and pledged to continue improving the maturing estate.
“(So) what does the PAP team stands for? The PAP team has been here and we’ve been serving the Fengshan residents for many years. For the past few years, we have always put residents’ welfare first. Residents are at the centre of everything that we do and will continue to be so,” said Ms Chan.
In her maiden election rally speech delivered in Bedok North, the 38-year-old, who has lived in Fengshan for many years, said she has seen how the PAP helped upgrade lifts and homes, build sheltered walkways, playgrounds, and revamped fitness corners, among other things.
While much has been done to create a vibrant estate, she said that more can be done. For instance, all eligible blocks have been selected for the Home Improvement Programme.
“Of course, everything comes back to food. We have (also) upgraded our favourite Block 85 market,” she added, alluding to buzz generated by opposition Workers’ Party’s (WP) chairman Sylvia Lim after she posted an Instagram photo of herself having oyster omelette at a Fengshan hawker centre.
Fengshan SMC has been freshly carved out of East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the polls. Both the ruling party and the WP will be fielding first-time candidates, with latter fielding shipping lawyer Dennis Tan, 45. This is also the first time the PAP is fielding a female electoral debutant in an SMC since 1988.
Ms Chan, who is the head of secondary industries at The Linde Group (Gas & Engineering), started volunteering in 2005 in grassroots organisations at Fengshan. She pledged to help the elderly and underprivileged children going forward.
Ms Chan was supported during her rally by the PAP team contesting in the East Coast GRC, including Manpower Minister Lim Swee Say, Senior Minister of State (Trade and Industry & National Development) Lee Yi Shyan and Minister of State (Defence and National Development) Maliki Osman, who attested to her character and capabilities.
Former Cabinet minister Raymond Lim — whom Ms Chan is replacing — for instance, said he has never known her to panic in pressurising situations and she reacts calmly to all problems.
Yesterday, Ms Chan also likened nation-building to running a marathon, noting that the PAP is committed to running the race with Singaporeans. “In this General Election, I urge all of you, residents, friends and supporters, to consider what is important for this nation to move forward together and what type of ... candidates do you want to put in Parliament.”
