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GE: Are younger candidates ready?

 People's Action Party's (PAP) Chairman Lim Boon Heng said the party is close to deciding whether the younger candidates it has been testing out will fit the bill in all the Group Representation Constituencies (GRC) and in particular, Jurong GRC which he currently helms.

Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the 25th anniversary celebrations of the PAP Community Foundation in Jurong GRC, Mr Lim said he does not rule out surprises on Nomination Day, if necessary.

However, he said PAP is confident with the teams it is putting in place in the GRCs and the Single-Member Constituencies (SMCs).

For the coming general election, there will be 12 SMCs and 15 GRCs.

Mr Lim, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, remained tight-lipped when asked
if he would be moved to another GRC instead of contesting in Jurong GRC, or if he would be the trump card for the PAP if opposition MP Low Thia Khiang decides to contest a GRC.

He said: "If Mr Low Thia Khiang stands again in Hougang SMC, we have a candidate who will give him a good fight, Mr Desmond Choo. Although he has been there for a short period of time, he has gained some traction. People are saying, here is one person who can make a difference. Whether Mr Desmond Choo is able to win the seat, that one remains to be seen.

"There are also stories that Mr Low {Thia Kiang} may go to a GRC. Which GRC will he go? If he goes to Aljunied GRC, I am confident that Mr George Yeo, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua and his fellow colleagues and the candidates we are putting there will be able to hold their own."

Also present at the event on Saturday were two new candidates whom the PAP has already introduced - Mr Desmond Lee and Mr David Ong -- as well as a potential candidate who has been understudying in Jurong GRC, Mr Ang Wei Neng.

Mr Lim said: "I am happy with the people who have come to understudy. We have actually an excess of people doing understudy over the last couple of years in Jurong GRC. That is a good way of assessing the potential of people who may be fielded as candidates.

"Some of them, they have already been on the ground for some time. We believe in exposing them as much as possible to get to know the ground, to get to know what people feel and their concerns and worries are, and then for people to assess whether they are the right kind of MP they want to see in Parliament."

Meanwhile, the National Solidarity Party (NSP) has indicated its interest to contest in Jurong GRC and has announced its slate of candidates.

10:30 | Labels: , |

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