GE2025: Jalan Besar PAP team greeted by smiles, waves and even tears, at Kampong Glam walkabout

Straits Times

30-04-2025

An emotional Madam Yip Lum Fong (right) rushed to hug incumbent MP Denise Phua during the latter's walkabout at North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre on April 30. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
GE2025: Jalan Besar PAP team greeted by smiles, waves and even tears, at Kampong Glam walkabout
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SINGAPORE - With just one full day remaining before election hustings come to an end, the PAP's Jalan Besar GRC team was out in full force at North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre on April 30.
They were greeted by smiles and waves from patrons and stallholders, many of whom were long time residents of Kampong Glam, a ward under incumbent Denise Phua.
One resident, Madam Yip Lum Fong, 83, rushed forward once she saw Ms Phua. With tears flowing, Madam Yip gave Ms Phua a tight hug and told her to take care of her own health.
Madam Yip, who has a grown son with Down syndrome, also expressed gratitude to Ms Phua, who had helped with financial and emotional assistance to the mother-son duo over the years.
Between sobs, Madam Yip, a housewife, told The Straits Times later that Ms Phua often took great care of the residents in her ward, sometimes to a fault, and had to be told to take care of her own health. 'Otherwise, she forgets,' Madam Yip said.
The PAP's four-member slate, helmed by Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, comprised Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah, Ms Phua and newcomer Shawn Loh, were all greeted with warmth and smiles at the market and food centre.
PAP candidates for Jalan Besar GRC (from left) Josephine Teo, Denise Phua, Wan Rizal and Shawn Loh meeting patrons and stallholders during a walkabout at North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre on April 30.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Madam Tan Ah Moey, 83, who used to work as a stall assistant at the market, said she showed up to give her support when she found out that the PAP team was visiting.
Madam Salbiyah Mohd Yusof, 50, a healthcare assistant, was overheard wishing Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo 'semoga bahagia', which means 'may you be happy' in Malay.
Despite being a new face to the area, political greenhorn Mr Loh was not lacking of admirers too, obliging for a wefie or two with those who asked.
Madam Liew Soo Ying, 87, said she was particularly taken by the 'his genuine smile and demeanour'.
Mr Loh, a former MOF director, is currently the deputy group managing director of Singapore-based investment company Commonwealth Capital Group. He was introduced on April 16 as a new candidate joining the incumbent PAP team to contest Jalan Besar GRC in the upcomin g election.
PAP candidate Shawn Loh meeting residents during a walkabout at North Bridge Road Market and Food Centre on April 30.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
He will take over the GRC's Whampoa ward from Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How, who stepped down from the team.
The PAP team will be going head-to-head with the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), an opposition coalition of three parties – PV, the Reform Party and the Democratic Progressive Party - in a battle for Jalan Besar GRC in the general election on May 3.
The PAR team contesting Jalan Besar comprises newcomers - freelance private tutor Chiu Shin Kong, nurse Sarina Abu Hassan, early childhood educator Vigneswari V. Ramachandran, and the party's treasurer Mohamad Hamim Aliyas.
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