In a significant move ahead of the upcoming 2025 General Election, members of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) made a notable appearance in Keat Hong on March 30, 2024. Led by businessman Phang Yew Huat, 65, alongside stockbroker and Society of Remisiers president Mr. S. Nallakaruppan, 60, and intellectual property attorney Wendy Low, 48, the team engaged with residents in a door-to-door campaign aimed at solidifying their bid to contest Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

The trio was supported by approximately 20 fellow party members as they distributed informative fliers outlining their policy positions. Mr. Nallakaruppan later shared on social media that their efforts covered over 20 blocks, showcasing their dedication to connecting with the Keat Hong community.

Speaking to The Straits Times, Mr. Phang expressed his commitment to the constituency: “My principal role here in Chua Chu Kang is to engage the residents consistently over the last five years. I have a deep connection to this area since 2020, and I eagerly anticipate the chance to engage further.” He emphasized, however, that final candidate selections lay with party leadership.

In the previous 2020 General Election, Mr. Phang served as the principal election agent for former PSP chief Francis Yuen, who contested in Chua Chu Kang GRC, while Ms. Low was part of a different PSP team contesting Tanjong Pagar GRC. This new strategy showcases PSP's adaptability as they identify and groom fresh faces, such as Mr. Lawrence Pek, formerly of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, and journalists like Stella Stan Lee.

Wendy Low shared her focus during visits, specifically targeting families residing in four- and five-room flats. A significant concern raised by residents was the increasing cost of living—a pressing issue impacting many Singaporeans today.

Additionally, Mr. Pek has been actively engaging residents in the newly developed Tengah neighborhood, recently included in the Chua Chu Kang GRC boundary changes. He noted that his team has been making regular visits, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by these new residents, including insufficient public transport and difficulties with the town's centralized cooling system.

As of late November 2024, nearly 8,000 households in Tengah had received their keys, according to the Housing Board, welcoming a surge of young families. Mr. Pek underlined his commitment to addressing the residents' needs and facilitating communication between them and the government.

Historical context plays a crucial role in this campaign—during the 2020 elections, the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), led by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, secured Chua Chu Kang GRC with 58.64% of the vote, a notable decline from prior elections, suggesting shifting sentiments among voters.

With the stakes high and the political landscape evolving, the PSP's initiatives in Keat Hong signal a determined push to engage deeply with the electorate, aiming to carve out a greater presence in Singapore's competitive political arena as we edge closer to the elections. Will they manage to sway voter opinion and make a significant impact come polling day? Stay tuned!