Indranee to helm PAP team in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC

Minister says team will look at how to plug infrastructural gaps at the local level

- Nadine Chua, Clement Yong and Zhaki Abdullah

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Leader of the House Indranee Rajah will anchor the PAP team for the newly created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, in a surprise move from her Tanjong Pagar GRC ward.

This fuels speculation that Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was expected to helm the team there, could be moved elsewhere, possibly to Punggol GRC.

Addressing the residents, he said: "As I step down as your MP in Pasir Ris, I do so with full confidence that we have a strong team to continue to serve you for many years, well into the future."

Ms Indranee, 62, who has been part of Tanjong Pagar GRC since her political debut in 2001, will lead a team comprising Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Desmond Tan, Mr Sharael Taha and party newcomer Valerie Lee Nai Yi in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.

While several opposition parties have staked their claims on the newly created GRC, the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has been the most active there. SDA chairman Desmond Lim has confirmed that his party will be in the fray, without revealing its candidates.

Ms Indranee, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development, said at the press conference that she was asked by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to move to Pasir Ris-Changi GRC "very close to this date". She had a choice, "because they do listen to what you say", but agreed.

"Today's introduction is both poignant and yet exciting at the same time. It is poignant because it means having to leave the residents of Tanjong Pagar GRC," said Ms Indranee, who has been in Tanjong Pagar GRC for 24 years.