New MP works ground almost like he's campaigning
By Huang Lijie
Dr Chia Shi-Lu greeting a stallholder at a market in his ward in Jalan Bukit Merah. Dr Chia was a last-minute replacement in the Tanjong Pagar GRC team which was unopposed on Nomination Day. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
ORTHOPAEDIC surgeon Chia Shi-Lu hit the ground running yesterday after his Tanjong Pagar GRC saw a walkover on Wednesday.
The People's Action Party candidate, who was told only on Tuesday that he was contesting, was walking around Tanglin Halt in the morning to plan for a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) event, and wasted no time in introducing himself to residents whom he passed.
He looked to be working the ground with the fervour of a candidate facing a contest.
He told The Straits Times that while this is a period for his fellow MPs in the GRC to thank residents for their support, for him, it is a 'more pressing' time.
He said: 'It's almost like we're campaigning.'
At stake: winning the trust and confidence of the residents.
In fact, he began his informal walkabouts on Wednesday, just hours after the GRC saw a walkover, as he familiarised himself with its facilities.
'I can do my work only with the residents behind me. And to have the residents behind you, you just can't say 'Look, I'm MP and you must support me.' The only way you can do that is by walking the ground and talking the talk.'
Dr Chia, 39, the elder of two sons of a retired bank executive and housewife, also acknowledged that his predecessor, Mr Baey Yam Keng, had left big shoes for him to fill.
During Dr Chia's first official walkabout and house visit last evening near the ABC Brickworks market and food centre in Jalan Bukit Merah, some residents, after being introduced to their new MP, praised Mr Baey for having done a good job there.
Mr Baey, who had served in Queenstown for the past five years, was switched at the last minute to replace Mr Steve Tan, who had dropped out of Tampines GRC for personal reasons.
But residents warmed to Dr Chia's smiling, friendly ways.
The President's Scholar, who studied medicine at the National University of Singapore, switched with ease between English, Mandarin, Hokkien and Cantonese when conversing with residents.
His constant refrain was: 'Look for me any time if you have any problem and please let me know if you have any suggestions on improvements.'
He also took the chance to invite residents to his first Meet-the-People Session today.
Mr Sunny Ee, 64, a part-time store assistant and Queenstown resident who met Dr Chia during the evening walkabout, said: 'He is very approachable and I am keen to meet him during the Meet-the-People Session.'
Mrs Gopal Vivakaambal, 64, a grassroots activist who was also on the walkabout, said: 'Dr Chia is young, energetic and very friendly.'
Unlike a real campaign where candidates try to meet as many residents as possible, however, Dr Chia slowed down his pace and listened when residents raised suggestions for improving the estate.
His interaction with the residents showed his experience gained shadowing PAP candidate Yeo Guat Kwang previously in Aljunied GRC.
He said it was 'difficult' for him to leave his old grassroots community as he misses them.
'But it is all for the residents.'
By Huang Lijie
Dr Chia Shi-Lu greeting a stallholder at a market in his ward in Jalan Bukit Merah. Dr Chia was a last-minute replacement in the Tanjong Pagar GRC team which was unopposed on Nomination Day. -- ST PHOTO: LIM SIN THAI
ORTHOPAEDIC surgeon Chia Shi-Lu hit the ground running yesterday after his Tanjong Pagar GRC saw a walkover on Wednesday.
The People's Action Party candidate, who was told only on Tuesday that he was contesting, was walking around Tanglin Halt in the morning to plan for a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) event, and wasted no time in introducing himself to residents whom he passed.
He looked to be working the ground with the fervour of a candidate facing a contest.
He told The Straits Times that while this is a period for his fellow MPs in the GRC to thank residents for their support, for him, it is a 'more pressing' time.
He said: 'It's almost like we're campaigning.'
At stake: winning the trust and confidence of the residents.
In fact, he began his informal walkabouts on Wednesday, just hours after the GRC saw a walkover, as he familiarised himself with its facilities.
'I can do my work only with the residents behind me. And to have the residents behind you, you just can't say 'Look, I'm MP and you must support me.' The only way you can do that is by walking the ground and talking the talk.'
Dr Chia, 39, the elder of two sons of a retired bank executive and housewife, also acknowledged that his predecessor, Mr Baey Yam Keng, had left big shoes for him to fill.
During Dr Chia's first official walkabout and house visit last evening near the ABC Brickworks market and food centre in Jalan Bukit Merah, some residents, after being introduced to their new MP, praised Mr Baey for having done a good job there.
Mr Baey, who had served in Queenstown for the past five years, was switched at the last minute to replace Mr Steve Tan, who had dropped out of Tampines GRC for personal reasons.
But residents warmed to Dr Chia's smiling, friendly ways.
The President's Scholar, who studied medicine at the National University of Singapore, switched with ease between English, Mandarin, Hokkien and Cantonese when conversing with residents.
His constant refrain was: 'Look for me any time if you have any problem and please let me know if you have any suggestions on improvements.'
He also took the chance to invite residents to his first Meet-the-People Session today.
Mr Sunny Ee, 64, a part-time store assistant and Queenstown resident who met Dr Chia during the evening walkabout, said: 'He is very approachable and I am keen to meet him during the Meet-the-People Session.'
Mrs Gopal Vivakaambal, 64, a grassroots activist who was also on the walkabout, said: 'Dr Chia is young, energetic and very friendly.'
Unlike a real campaign where candidates try to meet as many residents as possible, however, Dr Chia slowed down his pace and listened when residents raised suggestions for improving the estate.
His interaction with the residents showed his experience gained shadowing PAP candidate Yeo Guat Kwang previously in Aljunied GRC.
He said it was 'difficult' for him to leave his old grassroots community as he misses them.
'But it is all for the residents.'
