Joo Chiat joins East Coast GRC for seamless integration

Singapore's Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Edwin Tong, is focusing on integrating the Joo Chiat ward into the East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC). This change follows the redrawing of electoral boundaries. Tong emphasized the need to minimize disruption for residents during the transition. During a community walkabout with Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, Tong expressed his hope to serve Joo Chiat residents under the East Coast GRC banner. He mentioned his efforts to meet volunteers from other parts of East Coast, like Siglap and Chai Chee. Heng noted that both East Coast GRC and Joo Chiat share common elements, such as community events. He highlighted that the integration could be smooth because the areas already collaborate on activities like beach cleanups. In the last election, East Coast GRC was hotly contested. The People's Action Party (PAP), led by Heng, received 53.41 percent of the vote, a decline from 2015. The Workers' Party also gained ground, achieving its best result in the constituency since 2006. Tong also addressed a viral video from a recent walkabout in Marine Parade. The clip showed an elderly man seemingly making a rude gesture while Tong interacted with other residents. Tong's team claimed the video was taken out of context and emphasized that the overall reception was positive.