PAP and WP teams spotted on the ground as they battle for votes in East Coast GRC (2025)

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SINGAPORE - One day after Nomination Day, both PAP and WP candidates in East Coast GRC were out in full force as they sought to win residents’ support over the nine days of campaigning.

Their efforts on April 24 took them to MRT stations, food centres, coffee shops and HDB blocks in various parts of the constituency, including Bedok, Siglap and Changi Simei.

PAP candidate Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50, who started his walkabout at The Marketplace @ 58 in New Upper Changi Road on April 24,said residents had been welcoming, though some raised concerns about rising costs and municipal issues.

“This is an area where there are many seniors, and I hope to do a lot more to support our seniors, especially those who may not be working or have limited sources of income.”

He added that government support measures are in place but that “this will be an ongoing conversation” if prices continue to rise.

Mr Dinesh will be taking over Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat’s Bedok division.

Other candidates at the walkabout were Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, 55; incumbents Tan Kiat How, 47, and Jessica Tan, 58; and new face Hazlina Abdul Halim, 40.

But some residents said they were still adjusting to the changes – among them Madam Tan Yap Ngin, 78, who said she missed DPM Heng.

Meanwhile, WP’s East Coast team, led by former Non-Constituency MP and fourth-time candidate Yee Jenn Jong, 60, started their campaign as early as 7am, catching commuters at Bedok MRT station.

The rest of the WP’s East Coast team are Mr Nathaniel Koh, 41, and three new faces – Ms Paris V. Parameswari, 51; Mr Sufyan Mikhail Putra, 33; and Mr Jasper Kuan, 46.

Mr Koh, a second-time candidate, is an information technology professional. Ms Paris is a former US Navy administrator and Mr Sufyan is a lawyer, while Mr Kuan is a payments expert.

Speaking to The Straits Times, Mr Yee let on that his team plans to start their activities at 7am and end at around 10pm throughout all seven remaining days of the hustings. Some nights will be spent on the ground and others making rally speeches.

On April 24, the team handed out fliers at Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre and Block 216 Bedok Hawker Centre, and made house visits in Bedok North.

At the Block 216 hawker centre, the team bumped into the area’s incumbent MP Tan Kiat How, who shook hands with Mr Yee and WP deputy organising secretary Ang Boon Yaw, previously thought to be a possible WP candidate for East Coast.

Mr Tan, who is Senior Minister of State for National Development and Digital Development and Information, was heard telling Mr Ang: “I thought you were running in this election.”

Mr Ang, who has been appointed election agent for the East Coast team, remarked, “No, no, I am here to support my brother”, as he patted Mr Yee’s back.

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