When the Sengkang Parade Went Wrong
Mid‑Campaign Chaos
Picture this: two bright‑white robed posters, Ng Chee Meng and Amrin Amin, strolling through Sengkang Central, waving at every tiled corner. Most locals flashed polite smiles—or at least a nod. A handful, however, gave them the cold shoulder, leaving the PAP duo flustered and a bit hostile.
A party volunteer watched the rudeness from a sniff‑at‑my‑air perspective and said, “They seemed a touch annoyed. You could feel it.”
Revving Up the PAP Rally
By this point, the PAP, backed by Lam Pin Min (50), Raymond Lye (54), and the veteran former defence chief Ng Chee Meng (51), was scrambling. On social media, photos appeared of Ng sprinting up and down the corridors of a Housing Board block, half‑cheering, half‑cracking a joke, trying to reel in as many voters as possible before the deadline.
Polling Day Shockwave
- Workers’ Party (WP) – 52.13% of the vote
- PAP – 47.87%
It was a stunning upset: all three PAP incumbents—including Ng as labor chief—were knocked out. A volunteer expressed the collective disbelief: “Everybody was surprised, shocked.”
WP’s Calm After the Storm
Early that Sunday morning, the WP reigned in a nearly still band at its HQ, led by He Ting Ru, a 37‑year‑old lawyer, and his gang: Jamus Lim (44, economics associate professor), Raeesah Khan (26, social‑enterprise founder), and Louis Chua (33, equity research analyst). While the win dropped like a pebble, He thanked the voters with a sincere promise: “We will work hard, so that this trust isn’t misplaced.”
A Blue Surge in the Northeast
The WP’s unexpected victory has painted a fresh blue in Singapore’s north‑east—beyond its traditional stomping grounds of Hougang SMC and Aljunied GRC. Residents are buzzing, and the political landscape might just shift a bit faster than the next election will.
A miscalculation
Singapore’s Sengkang Fiasco: When a GRC Turns Into a Reality Show
Picture this: just before the general election, a brand‑new Group Representation Constituency (GRC) pops up on the map. Everyone expects the ruling party’s folks in white suits to march in with a swagger, but reality hits the wind‑shield and only one of the trio stays on the political stage.
Meet the Players
- Dr. Lam – the veteran of Sengkang West since 2006, still holding the fort.
- Mr. Chong – the charismatic landlord of Sengkang Central, now out.
- Mr. Teo – the former captain of Pasir Ris‑Punggol GRC, calling it quits.
The Vote‑Jungle
It’s a tight race, folks, with 120,100 voters—mostly young couples building their first HDB homes. Traditionally they’re the “no‑rocks‑the‑boat” crowd, but the heat was on this election.
Past Wins Worth Remembering
- Sengkang Central: Teo Ser Luck led the 2015 charge, bagging a solid 65%+ (worth a salute!)
- Sengkang West: Dr. Lam dominated with 62.13%.
- Punggol East: Chong snatched 51.77% from the opposition’s Lee Li Lian.
New Reboot – Partitions & New Anchors
The GRC has reorganized its own “play‑off map.” It splits Sengkang Central into two parts:
- Mr. Ng from Pasir Ris‑Punggol GRC takes the first half.
- Mr. Amrin from Sembawang GRC chips in for the second.
Punggol East? It gets Mr. Lye, a long‑time grassroots champ who knows the squeaky‑wheel of local politics.
What It Means for House‑Hunters
Essentially, the ruling party’s white‑tie crew got a full “fresh‑blood” makeover: only Dr. Lam remains to keep the house in order. The other two—Chong and Teo—have stepped back, leaving the rest of the GRC to group‑think and fresh faces.
And that’s the scoop: a cambium of leadership, a whiff of competition, and a bunch of 120k voters ready to decide who gets to paint the new GRC’s curtains. Let’s see who takes the helm next!
RECIPE FOR SUCCESS? 
The Jamus Effect
Just a day after the formal Nominations Day, the campus‑turned‑political stage sprinted with a new superstar: Associate Professor Jamus Lim. He leapt onto the televised debate and—without missing a beat—outshone veteran PAP debater‑minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
Why the buzz?
- Jamus turned a routine policy discussion into a masterclass of wit.
- He held his ground with razor‑sharp arguments that left even the seasoned political wiring buzzing.
- Voters across Singapore were enthralled, and the comment stream flooded with glowing praise.
A PAP glimpse
One of the party’s own observers, who prefers to stay pseudonymous, summed it up in the most dramatic way: “There was the Jamus Lim effect— and we had nothing to neutralise that.”
In a nutshell: the debate turned the old guard moment into a fresh moment of excitement.
The Raeesah Factor
During the weekend before the election, police filed a complaint against Ms. Raeesah Khan after a string of Facebook posts allegedly stoked racial or religious friction. She didn’t just tweet once—she stepped into a hot‑pot of social media drama that turned the spotlight on her.
Academic Insight: What the Researchers are Saying
- Assistant Professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah from Nanyang Technological University warned that younger voters and minority groups felt outraged by how Ms. Khan was treated.
- Several experts note that the controversy might have turned the electorate’s mood in the wrong direction.
Election Results Don’t Shine
Sengkang Central and Punggol East saw disappointing tallies. Sengkang West did better—though “better” is a relative term in a sleepy electorate. Party insiders admit the outcome was less than a walk in the park.
PAP’s Post‑Mortem: A Sober Morning
In early daylight, the PAP team paced patiently. Mr. Ng, when queried by The Sunday Times, said he’d “take time to regroup and evaluate the different factors.” Later, he posted on Facebook, pledging that the coming days will be spent mapping out a new roadmap.
Strategic Missteps or Real Reality?
- One hint: some insiders say launching into the race with unfamiliar faces might have backfired.
- Mr. Amrin, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Home Affairs and Health, apparently “started walking the ground” only in the last six months.
- Mr. Ng joined the race toward the end of last year—late moves are risky in tight circles.
What Residents Are Saying
Several locals chose WP not because the section had “flashed all flashing lights,” but because the party’s platform resonated with them and they felt no strong bond with the former elected representatives.
- Ms. Tan Siew Eng, 50, who lives in Sengkang for over 20 years, illustrated the point: “I hardly see them in my neighbourhood. I don’t really care whether they’re there or not.”
- She works for a non‑profit organization and believes that the presence of elected officials is a secondary matter.
In short, while the Raeesah dilemma stirred a pot of public reactiveness, the refusals and realignment in Sengkang’s electorate highlighted a cautionary lesson: electoral strategies must be fired up with care.
Young parents, young stars
The Sengkang Showdown: How the WP Took the Spotlight
When the debate rolled out the day after Nomination Day, the WP’s Prof. Lim stepped into the limelight like a late‑night talk‑show superstar. He breezed past the seasoned PAP veteran Vivian Balakrishnan, leaving the crowd in awe.
The Jamus Lim Effect
A quick spin on the name “Jamus” became the buzzword across Singapore, with one PAP observer quipping, “We had nothing to match that spark.” It was the kind of momentum a grassroots campaign usually only dreams of.
Meet the Young Guns
- Ms. Raeesah – At just 26, she was the WP’s torchbearer for youth. A social activist behind the Reyna Movement, she’s all about empowering women.
- Ms. He – A Cambridge grad turned London law student, she quickly rose to fame as the “Nicole Seah” of the WP.
- Ms. Seah – Before the WP, she was a star in the National Solidarity Party in 2011, then joined the WP in 2014.
- Mr. Chua – The team’s quieter voice, fiercely advocating for a resilient parliament that reflects everyone.
Young Parents, Old‑School Rhetoric
The WP’s four‑person slate didn’t just play the numbers game; they were all parents with kids under four. That twist is the secret sauce that made them feel “in the same boat” with the residents.
Ms. He explained, “There’s a whole community of young families here, all juggling the same worries and joys. That’s why we’re a natural fit.”
Contrast With the PAP
The PAP’s all‑male, older squad came across as a bit detached for the Sengkang crowd. Dr. Kevin Tan warned about the younger, better‑educated electorate being savvy about the real differences between national and local policies.
He added, “People aren’t just chasing amenities; they want context. The WP answered that “and then?” question.”
Real‑World Issues, Real‑Impact
From acknowledging unpaid housework to tackling climate change, the WP’s e‑rallies hit the nail on the head. Faith Lim, a 32‑year‑old communications professional, said the candidates “listened more and cared more.” She revealed that she voted not for upgrades or flashy promises, but for representation.
Why Youth Matters
Oral research shows younger voters seek post‑materialist values: a more open democracy, less hierarchy, and stronger accountability. According to NUS sociologist Tan Ern Ser, these voters are drawn to bold ideas and fresh perspectives.
He summed it up: “They see the WP candidates as knowledgeable, capable, and fresh – a winning combo.”
Takeaway
In the end, it wasn’t just about politics; it was about people, personalities, and the power of a campaign that truly listened. Thanks, WP, for putting the “human” back in politics.
No dirty politics
When a Tweet Turns into a Police Report: The Hot Debate Around Ms. Raeesah
Who’s Who in the Chaos?
At the heart of the storm is Ms. Raeesah, the outspoken figure whose social‑media rant sparked a full‑blown incident just days before the next election.
The Sparks That Lit the Fire
- During two separate Facebook posts—one back in February 2018 and another in May of this year—Ms. Raeesah accused police of singling out “rich Chinese” and “white folks” for special treatment.
- She also suggested that police actions bred a wedge between minority groups and mosque leaders versus their Christian counterparts.
- These “inflammatory” comments were deemed, by the authorities, to encourage racial or religious animosity.
The Officer’s Response
Police lodged formal reports against her over the weekend leading up to polling day, a move that drew a lot of criticism.
Why the Political Stance Matters
According to Assistant Professor Walid Jumblatt Abdullah from NTU’s School of Social Sciences:
“The younger voters and minority communities feel disrespected by how Ms. Raeesah was treated. This event signals that the newer generations might need a fresh political strategy.”
Public Reaction—And a Dash of Humor
- Many Sengkang residents shrugged off the comments and rallied behind her by posting #IStandWithRaeesah on social media.
- Mr. S.O. Wu, a freelance photographer, questioned why reports were filed for a post that went live two years ago—“Why wait for a season’s finale?” he quipped.
- Barkhad Ali Sakor, a customer‑service officer, felt that the way Ms. Raeesah handled the backlash, coupled with her party’s unwavering defense, gave her the “extra edge.”
What Does This Mean for the Next Generation of Politics?
With youthful voters keen on authenticity and non‑bleeding political campaigns, events like these serve as cautionary tales for modern politicians. A balance between outspoken advocacy and respectful communication might be the new ticket to success.
National swing
Singapore’s Sengkang Saga: A Vote for Variety
In the buzzing precincts of Sengkang, it’s clear that the people are signalling a loud, clapping response to the national call for a more balanced Parliament. The People’s Action Party (PAP) still snagged the majority, obtaining 61.2% of the popular vote—a dip from the 69.9% haul in 2015.
Workers’ Party: A Bite of the Pie
Meanwhile, the Workers’ Party (WP) pulled in a strong 50.49% in the areas it fought—meaning more voters tipped the scales against a “blank cheque” for the PAP.
Prof. Tan from the National University of Singapore summed it up: “There’s a clear shift across the board. People are saying, ‘You’re not getting a supermajority in Parliament!’”
Voices from Sengkang
From Ms. Tan to Mr. V. T. Nathan, a seasoned sales manager now retired, residents echo a common theme: a Parliament teeming with diverse opinions is essential.
- Ms. Tan: “Every issue needs a rainbow of perspectives.”
- Mr. Nathan: “If we have a chorus of viewpoints, you’re sure the debate will be lively before passing a law.”
These sentiments resonate with the overarching theme—no single voice should dominate. The call for checks and balances now echoes louder than ever.
Note: This piece is adapted from The Straits Times. Reproduction requires permission.
Key Takeaway
Singapore’s Sengkang election highlights a growing desire for a tightrope walk between tradition and fresh voices—ensuring Parliament stays vibrant, robust, and ready for the next chapter.
