PAP introduces likely candidate during anniversary celebrations, as East Coast GRC gears up for tough fight

Melissa Tan, CEO of waste management firm Wah & Hua, appeared alongside East Coast GRC MP Cheryl Chan at Bedok 85 Market on 17 November 2024, during the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) 70th-anniversary celebrations.

This marked Ms Tan’s second major public engagement in East Coast GRC in a week, following her participation in the Healthy Women, Healthier Families 2024 event held at Heartbeat @ Bedok the previous weekend.

Ms Tan’s increasing visibility within the constituency strongly suggests her potential candidacy for the next general election, expected by November 2025.

As part of PAP’s outreach efforts, she joined volunteers to distribute 1,200 PAP teddy bears to residents at Bedok 85 Market, further cementing her presence among the local community.

A visible presence in East Coast GRC

Ms Tan’s involvement in the Healthy Women, Healthier Families 2024 event, a health and wellness initiative dedicated to empowering women, was her first notable public engagement in East Coast GRC. The event focused on promoting healthy living among women and their families, drawing a strong turnout of residents.

Her subsequent participation in the Bedok 85 Market celebration, alongside MP Cheryl Chan, highlights PAP’s strategy to introduce her to various segments of the community.

Speaking to The Straits Times at the market, Ms Tan said, “As I have been with the party for many years, I take the opportunity to visit other areas to see how they conduct activities.”

While she declined to comment on potential candidacy, her growing presence aligns with PAP’s practice of field-testing candidates and gauging public sentiment. MP Cheryl Chan remarked, “Sometimes, we’re just testing the vibes on the ground.”

East Coast GRC: A tough fight ahead

The next general election is expected to be a closely fought contest in East Coast GRC. In 2020, the Workers’ Party (WP) secured a significant 46.61% of the vote against PAP’s 53.39%, despite then Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat leading the PAP team and unveiling the much-publicised “East Coast Plan.”

Political observers believe the 2025 election will serve as a referendum on the progress of the East Coast Plan, which promised targeted economic and social initiatives for the constituency. With Mr Heng stepping aside from the Prime Minister succession plan in 2021, the election will also test his continued leadership in the GRC.

Fengshan’s symbolic importance

Ms Tan’s activities have focused on Fengshan, a key area within East Coast GRC. Historically, Fengshan has been a battleground, reflecting the constituency’s competitiveness. After being absorbed into Bedok GRC in 1991, Fengshan was re-established as a single-member constituency (SMC) in 2015, where PAP’s Cheryl Chan narrowly defeated WP’s Dennis Tan, who secured 42.50% of the vote.

In 2020, Fengshan was reintegrated into East Coast GRC, a move seen by some as part of PAP’s strategy to consolidate support in areas where opposition presence has grown.

A professional with sustainability credentials

Ms Tan’s professional background as CEO of Wah & Hua aligns with PAP’s emphasis on sustainability and innovation. Since taking over the business in 2000, she has transformed the company into a leader in waste management and recycling. In 2021, Wah & Hua was acquired by Blue Planet Environmental Solutions, further elevating Ms Tan’s profile in sustainability.

Additionally, she serves as chairwoman of the Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore, showcasing her expertise in environmental initiatives—a key policy area that could appeal to East Coast voters.

Community engagement and outreach

The Bedok 85 Market event saw a strong turnout, with 1,200 residents queuing for PAP teddy bears and beverages served in branded mugs. Ms Tan expressed gratitude for the residents’ warm response, saying, “It’s nice to see that the residents here are warm and friendly.”

An 81-year-old resident, Madam Phoon, described her enthusiasm for the event, saying, “I finished my marketing early just to join the queue.” MP Cheryl Chan noted the event’s success in engaging residents across different age groups, emphasising the importance of such outreach activities in fostering community ties.

Preparations amid election timing

While the next election is not expected before mid-2025 due to the pending convening of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee and the timing of the Budget debates in early 2025, PAP appears to be laying the groundwork.

By spotlighting Ms Tan at two significant events within a week, the party seems to be positioning her as a strong candidate for East Coast GRC.

With the constituency’s competitive history and the upcoming election likely to test the reception of the East Coast Plan, PAP’s early moves underscore the high stakes in this pivotal battleground.

The introduction of Melissa Tan in East Coast GRC has raised questions about which current MP she might replace if fielded in the next general election.

Heng Swee Keat, as anchor minister and architect of the “East Coast Plan,” is expected to stay, alongside Tan Kiat How, a Senior Minister of State, and Maliki Osman, who holds the minority seat.

This leaves Cheryl Chan and Jessica Tan as the most likely MPs to step aside.

Cheryl Chan, with a history in Fengshan, has faced close electoral battles, while Jessica Tan, serving since 2006, may step down to make way for new candidates as the PAP refreshes its lineup for a competitive election.