SINGAPORE: Former Sembawang GRC MP Poh Li San will stand in Sembawang West SMC for the upcoming General Election.
Ms Poh, 50, a former Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)helicopter pilot, joined politics in 2020 as part of the Sembawang GRC team.
She represented the Sembawang West division, which was carved out as a Single Member Constituency following a review of the electoral boundaries earlier this year.
“This contest will likely be a tough one-on-one fight against the leader of the SDP (Singapore Democratic Party), Dr Chee Soon Juan," said Ms Poh.
"The contest ahead may look daunting, but I'm not one to shy away from difficult challenges, because I'm committed to stay where my residents are and will continue to work hard for them."
In the 2020 General Election, she was part of the PAP team that ran against the National Solidarity Party (NSP), winning with a vote share of 67.29 per cent.
Ms Poh, who introduced herself in Malay, Mandarin and English at the candidate press conference held at Beaulieu House in Sembawang Park, said that while she is standing in an SMC, she has her Sembawang GRC team behind her.
"I still have my family, my Sembawang GRC team strongly supporting me and we will be working closely together, especially in the Sembawang Town Council," she said.
Ms Poh emphasised the work that she has done in the Sembawang West ward in the past five years, listing achievements such as public health programmes for seniors and green initiatives such as tree planting and recycling drives.
She also listed her plans moving forward, from renewing and upgrading 30-year-old homes and common spaces, to enhancing support for seniors and expanding outdoor programmes to engage young people.
"We will continue to make Sembawang West a caring and healthy community, and a green and safe neighborhood for everyone," Ms Poh said.
"NOW IS THE TIME FOR TAKING RISKS"
Ms Poh also said that the coming election is taking place at a "very critical moment" when the world is changing, with "serious challenges" such as global uncertainty and even a possible recession.
"Some may say, 'Now is not the time for taking risks.' Some may say, 'Now is not the time for experiments. Now is the time to play safe,'" she said.
"But I say, 'Now is the time to be bold ... now is the time for taking risks because as a small country, this is the only way to survive this looming crisis.
"This must be done by a team that has done it before, and interest of Singaporeans at heart, not by reckless populists."
When asked about how she views the likely contest with Dr Chee,Ms Poh said she was surprised that the veteran politician was leaving Bukit Batok SMC, where he contested in the last election, to stand in Sembawang West.
She said that while many Singaporeans may know Dr Chee, she has built up strong rapport with the residents in Sembawang West and she has put a lot of emphasis on taking care of the town.
Ms Poh said she has also been voicing the concerns of her residents in parliament.
When asked directly how she viewed her chances against Dr Chee, Ms Poh said: "This will be decided on the third of May. I will do my best, I will give a good fight and also let ... the actions speak for themselves and let our voters make their own decision."
Singapore goes to the polls on May 3.
The NSP has said it will step aside and not contest Sembawang West SMC.
Sembawang West SMC has 24,153 voters, according to the latest Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report.
