01-05-2025
GE2025: ‘Our commitment continues,' says Desmond Lee on PAP's plans for West Coast-Jurong West GRC
National Development Minister Desmond Lee taking a selfie with supporters after the party's rally at Jurong West Stadium on April 27. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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SINGAPORE – Initiatives to help residents cope with various concerns, including jobs and the cost of living, have been rolled out by the PAP team in West Coast-Jurong West GRC over the last five years, and the team intends to continue with this work if elected, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee on May 1.
On the last day of hustings, Mr Lee, who leads the PAP team contesting the group representative constituency, pledged his team's commitment to continue serving residents in the area.
In a two-minute video posted on his social media platforms, Mr Lee said: 'Over the past five years, we've walked the ground. We've heard your concerns. We've taken action, and we have concrete plans for the future.'
'Our campaign, our work over the past five years, and our plans for the future have always been about you, your voice, your aspirations, and the Singapore you deserve,' he added. 'The campaign may be ending, but our commitment continues.'
Singapore goes to the polls on May 3. May 2 is Cooling Off Day, when campaigning is not allowed.
Noting that the cost of living is an issue that weighs heavily on residents' minds, Mr Lee said the PAP has rolled out initiatives to help with groceries and daily essentials, supported seniors and low-income households and expanded programmes such as ComLink+, a government scheme that provides financial assistance.
These initiatives were made possible by the PAP team, who drew on a network of community partners, said Mr Lee, who is also the Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration.
To tackle residents' concerns about job uncertainty, job fairs were brought to the heartland through the Jobs @ West Coast programme, Mr Lee said.
Upskilling and career support programmes were also rolled out to help those who are unemployed find jobs.
On the housing front, he said the Government is committed to keeping housing affordable and accessible for Singaporeans. The Housing Board has ramped up the supply of new flats and will launch more than 130,000 units from 2021 to 2027.
The Prime, Plus and Standard flat classification, which kicked into effect in October 2024, keeps flats in choice locations within reach of more Singaporeans, he said.
'We're exploring more public housing options for singles and higher-income couples,' said Mr Lee.
'We will plan for the rejuvenation of HDB towns, including through Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme – or Vers – and other schemes.'
Details of Vers, which was first mooted by then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2018 National Day Rally, have not yet been announced.
Mr Desmond Lee said: 'The work does not stop here. And we are ready to do more.'
His remarks wrap up the PAP's campaign in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, where candidates had, over the past nine days, highlighted their plans for the area.
During the nine-day campaign, the PAP laid out plans for the GRC, which include refreshing ageing infrastructure, bridging generational gaps and helping families cope with the rising cost of living.
Besides Mr Lee, the PAP slate includes Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Finance and Education Shawn Huang, three-term MP Ang Wei Neng, orthopaedic surgeon Hamid Razak and lawyer Cassandra Lee.
They will be facing off against a PSP team that includes the party's top three leaders – chairman Tan Cheng Bock, secretary-general Leong Mun Wai and first vice-chairperson Hazel Poa. The other two candidates are Mr Sumarleki Amjah, head of packaged food and business development at a food and beverage (F&B) firm, and in-house legal counsel Sani Ismail.
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