New PAP faces in Aljunied GRC

Two new faces have surfaced at grassroots branches in Aljunied GRC, in yet another sign of the preparations that the People's Action Party (PAP) is making for the next general election.

Lianhe Zaobao and Lianhe Wanbao yesterday reported that they are Ms Chan Hui Yuh, 37, and Mr Kahar Hassan, 45.

Ms Chan confirmed she will be assuming the deputy chairmanship of the Serangoon citizens' consultative committee (CCC) next week.

In addition, sources told the papers that she is likely to replace Serangoon's PAP branch chairman, 60-year-old Poon Mun Wai.

In PAP wards, the election candidate tends to be the party's branch chairman.

Ms Chan is currently the chairman of East Coast GRC's Siglap CCC. She will concurrently hold both positions until next year before fully committing to Serangoon.

Asked why she is making the move, she cited the fact that she lives near Serangoon.

"I can cut down my travel time, and thus have more time to spend with my two young children," said Ms Chan, who has 12 years of grassroots experience and is a director in a construction firm.

But her move could also have something to do with the fact that the current MP for the Serangoon division is a woman - Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim.

Asked if she would stand for election, she said: "I believe in the party's values, and there are many ways to serve. If (party leaders) decide to put me in that position, I would definitely do my best."

The other new face, Mr Kahar, works at SMRT. He is the company's deputy director of infrastructure.

Mr Kahar is understood to be a member of the Kaki Bukit CCC. The division is currently under Aljunied GRC MP Muhamad Faisal of the Workers' Party.

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