30-04-2025
GE2025: Faisal Manap says WP is 'humbled' by presence of PM Wong and SM Lee in Tampines GRC
SINGAPORE: Workers' Party (WP) candidate Faisal Manap has described the presence of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Tampines GRC as a sign that the WP's efforts in the area are bringing about 'some form of competition'.
Speaking at a doorstop with the WP Tampines GRC team on 30 April 2025, Faisal, a former Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC, said he was 'humbled' by the attention from the ruling party's top leadership.
He added, 'It shows that WP's presence does bring some form of competition, and that's what the WP team wants.'
The remark came in response to a reporter's question about how the WP felt about going up against a People's Action Party (PAP) team that was receiving strong support from senior leaders.
Faisal said that the team welcomed the high-profile engagement, and that it reinforced WP's purpose in offering voters a credible alternative.
He reaffirmed that the WP team was in Tampines to play the role of a constructive opposition, consistent with the party's long-standing philosophy.
During his remarks, Faisal invoked a familiar analogy made by former WP leader Low Thia Khiang during the 2011 General Election.
'We are supposed to be the co-driver, right? And there's a driver here, so if the driver doesn't drive the car well… we need to, I think the word used was 'slap', 'slap' the driver,' he said, referencing Low's now-famous comparison between the WP and a vigilant co-driver.
Faisal said this reflected the Tampines team's approach — to spur performance through healthy competition and oversight.
WP Tampines team stresses readiness and track record
Faisal was joined by fellow WP Tampines GRC candidates Eileen Chong, Jimmy Tan, Michael Thng and Ong Lue Ping, along with Kenneth Foo, who is contesting the single-seat Tampines Changkat SMC.
Together, the candidates highlighted their collective experience and WP's record in managing town councils, seeking to allay any concerns from residents about service continuity.
Ong Lue Ping said, 'We want to assure all the residents that if we do have the honour to take over as the MP of this great Tampines estate, we will continue with all the plans that have been proposed.'
He added that WP was committed to ensuring that town council affairs would be handled efficiently and responsibly, saying, 'We'll make sure that all the town council matters are well taken care of. So, don't have to worry about that.'
The media also asked about Senior Minister Lee's remarks a day earlier, on 29 April, in which he addressed concerns about social media posts urging voters to vote along religious lines.
According to a report by CNA, Lee described the conversations as 'very vicious' and said the sentiments stirred by foreign posts 'has not disappeared away'.
PAP candidate Masagos Zulkifli also said during the same walkabout that he had met residents who were emotionally distressed, some of whom 'actually cried and said they couldn't sleep' due to the divisive content online.
Faisal reaffirms commitment to multiracialism
In response, Faisal referred to a WP statement issued on 26 April 2025 on the issue of foreign interference and reiterated his pledge to serve all Singaporeans equally.
'I already made a promise… to the presence of thousands of spectators during the rally, to the Tampines GRC residents, that I will treat everyone, I will serve everyone fairly and equally regardless of race, language and religion,' he said.
He added that this has been his approach in his previous role as an MP in Kaki Bukit.
He invited the media to speak to Kaki Bukit residents to assess for themselves the WP's commitment to building a multi-racial and inclusive community.
Four-way contest in Tampines GRC
Tampines GRC is shaping up to be a hotly contested constituency, with candidates from four parties — the WP, PAP, People's Power Party (PPP), and National Solidarity Party (NSP) — all expected to run.
WP's candidates struck a united tone, emphasising teamwork, accountability and service to all.
Eileen Chong, speaking in Mandarin, urged voters to evaluate all parties' contributions and 'make a wise and informed choice on 3 May.'
The WP candidates expressed confidence in their preparation and experience, pledging to maintain close communication with residents if elected.
Jimmy Tan summarised the WP's approach, stating, 'We're really going to be the people's MPs.'
