GE2025: RDU's Emily Woo potential face-off with PAP's Xie Yao Quan in new Jurong Central SMC

SINGAPORE: Alternative party Red Dot United (RDU) conducted its maiden walkabout in the newly created Jurong Central Single Member Constituency (SMC) on Sunday (23 March), marking the beginning of its groundwork in the area ahead of the upcoming General Election (GE2025). The constituency, which has 29,620 voters, was carved out from Jurong Group Representation Constituency (GRC) following the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee’s (EBRC) announcement on 11 March. It comprises residents from Jurong GRC as well as some from Yuhua SMC. During the walkabout, RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon introduced Emily Woo as the party's team lead for Jurong Central SMC. Woo, a 59-year-old former school teacher, is a member of RDU’s central executive council and a long-time Jurong Central resident. She engaged with residents at Yuhua Market and Hawker Centre and visited nearby shops.

Woo's Familiarity with the Ground

While Woo did not confirm her candidacy, she emphasised her deep involvement in the community. She has been active in outreach efforts, working with organisations such as Loving Heart Multi-Service Centre and the Active Ageing Centre. "I interact very frequently with the residents here; it's not my first time," Woo said in a media interview. She added that RDU hopes to intensify its engagement and activities in the coming weeks. Among the key concerns raised by residents, Woo highlighted the cost of living and employment challenges, particularly for older Singaporeans. "As an older Singaporean myself, I understand firsthand how difficult it is to get jobs on a regular basis. Many from the Merdeka, Pioneer, and now the Majulah generation face challenges securing employment, even on a contract or ad-hoc basis," she said. Woo noted that age discrimination remains a significant issue, with older job seekers struggling to compete with younger candidates. She added that RDU aims to explore ways to help seniors secure better employment opportunities while also addressing the concerns of middle-aged and younger Singaporeans facing job insecurity.

Possible Contest Against PAP’s Xie Yao Quan

Should Woo be fielded as a candidate, she may face off against Xie Yao Quan, the incumbent Jurong GRC Member of Parliament (MP) from the People's Action Party (PAP). Xie, 40, currently oversees the Jurong Central division within Jurong GRC. He was elected in GE2020 and has since been actively engaging residents in the area. Speaking to the media on 23 March, Xie said he looks forward to contesting in Jurong Central SMC but noted that his candidacy is ultimately a decision for PAP’s leadership, including Prime Minister and PAP Secretary-General Lawrence Wong. "I don't know who will come and contest this SMC. I also don't think it is the most productive exercise for me to be thinking about who will come and contest," Xie said. "But I do hope that someone will come and contest this SMC. I think it is going to be good for residents to have a chance to exercise their democratic right and to make a choice that's in their best interest." Xie was first introduced as a PAP candidate in 2020 by then-Jurong GRC MP Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who is now Singapore’s President. When asked whether his approach to GE2025 would differ now that he could be contesting as an SMC candidate without Tharman’s presence, Xie said, "My mantra is, we take good care of residents. We let the rest take care of itself."

Philemon Expressed Disappointment Over Jurong GRC Electoral Change

While RDU has not confirmed Woo’s candidacy, Philemon acknowledged her leadership role in the constituency. “It’s too early to say. But I mean, it's plain for everyone to see that Emily is here. We have highlighted Emily to be the team lead for Jurong Central SMC," he told the media. Philemon also expressed disappointment over the redrawing of electoral boundaries, which resulted in the breakup of Jurong GRC. “We really wish we had Jurong GRC intact because, in the past five years, we have done extensive work in Jurong GRC … with teams putting boots on the ground every week,” he said. “But we take a little consolation in the fact that Jurong Central SMC is here, because this is a constituency that we have put a lot of work in as well. So, we'll send our best candidate to contest in this constituency.” According to RDU’s profile sheet, Woo holds a bachelor's degree in music from the Catholic Institute University in Paris. She has over 30 years of teaching experience in Singapore and France and has written two books on music composers. Woo joined RDU as a volunteer in 2020 and currently works as an independent piano teacher for both children and adults. Earlier, RDU also introduced Kala Manickam as its groundwork leader for Jalan Kayu SMC, further indicating the party's efforts to contest multiple constituencies in GE2025. In GE2020, Philemon led RDU in its contest against PAP in Jurong GRC. The PAP team, comprising Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Tan Wu Meng, Rahayu Mahzam, Shawn Huang, and Xie Yao Quan, secured 74.62% of the votes, with 91,692 votes going to PAP and 31,191 votes to RDU.