SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) today (Aug 12) kicked off the introduction of its slate of candidates for the coming General Election, with PAP organising secretary Ng Eng Hen — who unveiled his team for Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency — declaring that the mood on the ground is “good” for the ruling party.

Citing a range of initiatives such as the Pioneer Generation Package, MediShield Life, the Bus Service Enhancement Programme. and improvements to housing which the Government has introduced in the last four years, Dr Ng nevertheless said: “But I tell all our MPs…never take it for granted, continue to be sincere and work hard, treat your residents like your relatives.”

Dr Ng, who is also the Defence Minister, had announced said that the PAP would depart from past practice and reveal its line-up of candidates across the 29 Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs) and Single Member Constituencies (SMCs), barring last-minute changes.

… Associate Professor Alan Chong of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said it showed that the PAP is learning from previous elections where there were perceptions that its candidates were “too aloof”.