Sembawang West SMC Chee Soon Juan says Bukit Batok residents remain in his heart

The team from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) presented their plans to rejuvenate Sembawang GRC at a rally on April 26, describing them as putting the "heart" in heartland.

- Tay Hong Yi

Accusing the PAP of repackaging existing national development plans as constituency-specific promises and accomplishments, the SDP said its plans are human-centric.

They include building community storage facilities and lifts for overhead bridges, and providing microchip services for cats, so owners can be reunited with their lost pets.

In his speech at Evergreen Primary School, which lies within Sembawang West SMC, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan said future plans for Sembawang GRC will be drawn up with residents' input as well.

Defending his move from the single-seat Bukit Batok constituency to contest Sembawang West SMC, Dr Chee accused the PAP of launching personal attacks against him.

He was responding to Health Minister Ong Ye Kung, who anchors the PAP team contesting Sembawang GRC.

Mr Ong suggested in a rally speech on April 24 that Dr Chee's motivations in moving from Bukit Batok SMC were a political strategy, saying the SDP chief had "abandoned Bukit Batok to come to Sembawang West".

The comments were echoed by Ms Poh Li San, the PAP candidate for Sembawang West, and PAP Marsiling-Yew Tee candidate Alex Yam, who said Dr Chee broke a pledge to remain in Bukit Batok.

Dr Chee, in his rally speech, which was delivered in Mandarin, Hokkien and English, accused the PAP of taking cheap shots at him.