Tan See Leng introduces potential PAP candidate Diana Pang during Marine Parade walkabout

A new face joined a People’s Action Party (PAP) walkabout on 30 March at Eunos Crescent Market and Food Centre, drawing attention amid preparations for the upcoming general election.

Minister for Manpower and MP for Marine Parade Tan See Leng introduced business development director Diana Pang, who is a long-time volunteer from neighbouring East Coast GRC.

Tan told The Straits Times (ST) that Pang has been actively engaged in grassroots activities, and her presence could signal an early preview of PAP’s slate for the new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

Pang, 51, brings over 19 years of experience in audit, tax, and business advisory.

She currently serves as chairperson of the Fengshan Women’s Executive Committee and the People’s Association Women’s Integration Network (WIN) Council, which she has been part of since 2014.

Pang has spearheaded initiatives like the WIN Caregivers Network, which offers support to caregivers, and last year organised a Financial Planning for Women event for residents.

She also sits on the board of the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations (SCWO), contributing governance and legal expertise.

When asked by ST why she was entering politics, Pang said she aspired to help build “a place where family thrives, and we can build trust and resolve with our heart and passion”.

She added, “If given the opportunity, I’m here to serve the country anywhere and everywhere.”

Also present at the walkabout were Mayor of South East District and Geylang Serai MP Fahmi Aliman, and Minister of State for Home Affairs and for National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim.

Together, the four party members greeted hawkers and residents at the market. ST described the event as “an early introduction” of PAP’s potential team for the constituency.

Faishal, 57, remarked that returning to the east felt like a homecoming, having first entered politics in Marine Parade GRC in 2006 before moving to Nee Soon GRC in 2011.

“It feels like the good memories are coming back, and I’m happy to see some of the residents who have recognised me since 2006,” he said.

Tan also noted that Faishal had been instrumental in helping both him and Fahmi get up to speed in Marine Parade after the 2020 General Election.

The walkabout came shortly after the latest electoral boundary changes, which reconfigure the political map ahead of GE2025.

The new Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC will absorb MacPherson SMC and parts of Potong Pasir and Mountbatten SMCs.

In contrast, the current Joo Chiat ward and Chai Chee Housing Board estates will shift to East Coast GRC.

Currently, Marine Parade GRC comprises Marine Parade, Joo Chiat, Geylang Serai, Braddell Heights, and Kembangan-Chai Chee.

In 2020, PAP won the constituency with 57.74 per cent of the vote against the Workers’ Party (WP).

The existing Marine Parade team includes Tan, Fahmi, Minister Edwin Tong (Joo Chiat), and Speaker of Parliament Seah Kian Peng (Braddell Heights).

The fifth seat was vacated by former Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, who resigned in 2023.

With Joo Chiat moving out, Tong is expected to shift constituencies, positioning Tan as the likely leader of the PAP team in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights.

Although PAP has not officially announced its candidates, the presence of new faces like Pang and recent appearances by others suggest preparations are underway.

On 22 March, Hazlina Abdul Halim, former CEO of Make-A-Wish Singapore, was seen at Marine Terrace Market, raising speculation that she could be fielded in the GRC.

Another potential candidate is Dr Choo Pei Ling, 38, an assistant professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology and second adviser to grassroots organisations in Kembangan-Chai Chee.

The GRC is expected to see a multi-cornered fight. Both the WP and the National Solidarity Party have declared their intention to contest the seat, which now has 131,493 voters.

The WP has remained active in the area. Former candidates Nathaniel Koh and Fadli Fawzi have been seen engaging residents.

Newer faces like senior counsel Harpreet Singh Nehal have also been spotted, adding to speculation about the party’s line-up.

The next general election is expected to be held by early May, though the date has yet to be officially announced.