Wrong if opposition treats Tanjong Pagar as 'trophy GRC': Chan Chun Sing

SINGAPORE - It would be an "injustice" to Tanjong Pagar GRC residents if opposition parties contest the constituency just because "they want to put up a fight", Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing, one of its MPs, reported The Straits Times on Sunday.

Mr Chan was on a walkabout at Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre earlier today with the constituency's other MPs, Dr Chia Shi-Lu, Ms Indranee Rajah and Dr Lily Neo to officially introduce potential colleague Joan Pereira, 47, to residents.

Joanne Pereira is a former public servant.

Ms Pereira, 47, is now assistant general manager at Temasek Cares, the charity arm of Temasek Holdings. She was, until April, the director of Family Life and Active Ageing at the People's Association.

Her husband is 51 years old and works in the shipping line. They have two teenage daughters, a 20-year-old who is a polytechnic student and a 17-year-old who studies at a junior college.

The Minister told the media: "The focus is to do my work consistently, and take care of residents.

"It's the wrong starting point to say that I want to come to Tanjong Pager because I want to see a fight. That is injustice to residents."

Your hearts must be pure. You must be here because you want to take care of residents and improve their lives," he said.

On opposition parties that are aiming to contest in the Tanjong Pagar GRC, he told the media: "If you're here for the election, that's quite sad. And I think the residents will be able to tell."

Instead, Mr Chan said that the MPs' concern is to focus on their work.

The GRC has never been contested since it was formed in 1991, with the People Action's Party (PAP) enjoying walkovers at every General Election.

It was last contested as a single-seat ward in 1988.