PAP new face omitted from Sengkang Team at Buangkok CC opening

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong addressed more than 2,000 residents yesterday at the official opening of the Buangkok Community Club (CC), marking a significant development in the area.

The Buangkok CC, an integrated project located next to Buangkok MRT station, was initially part of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC under the People’s Action Party (PAP).

However, the ward became part of the newly created Sengkang GRC during the 2020 General Election, which the Workers’ Party won with 52.13 per cent of the vote against the PAP’s 47.87 per cent, wiping out three appointment holders, including former Minister Ng Chee Meng.

The CC, built on a 3.7ha site, was delayed from its original 2022 completion date due to the impact of Covid-19 on the construction industry.

Now, the 5,000 sq m facility, co-located with Sengkang Grand Mall, boasts retail, food and beverage outlets, and the Buangkok Hawker Centre.

During his speech, SM Lee emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the lives of all Singaporeans, regardless of the political affiliation of their wards.

“At the end of the day, the objective is to make sure that the people of Singapore are well served, and that residents in every ward feel a sense of belonging and kinship to the wider community around them,” he said.

“I have every confidence that your Grassroots Advisers in Sengkang GRC – Elmie, Pin Min, and Theodora – will continue to do their best to carry out their duties, just as Thiam Poh, Teo Ser Luck, and Koh Juay Meng did before them. They will have the Government’s full backing.”

Interestingly, Marcus Loh, introduced last year as the new branch chair for the PAP in Sengkang GRC, was present at the event but was not mentioned in SM Lee’s speech.

On 26 October 2023, Mr Loh was unveiled as taking over the Sengkang East division from Mr Ling Weihong, who was introduced in March 2022 along with two other fresh faces in the PAP’s new-look slate.

Mr Loh, 40, serves as director and head of strategic communication, public affairs, and corporate marketing at Temus, a digital transformation services firm majority-owned by state investor Temasek.

Despite his significant role in the Sengkang Branch, Mr Loh did not wear party colours during the Buangkok CC event, and SM Lee did not mention him in his speech, leading to speculation about his future role within the PAP.

With the PAP’s history of strategic candidate deployment, it remains to be seen whether Mr Loh will represent the party in the next election or if another candidate will be fielded—particularly against WP in what can be said to be a suicide squad.

As the political landscape in Sengkang GRC continues to evolve, the PAP’s decisions and candidate selections will undoubtedly be watched closely ahead of the upcoming General Election, which must be held before November 2025.