‘BUSINESS AS USUAL’
Speaking to the media, Ms Rahayu said she was “not surprised” to see Mr Philemon and his party, noting that they had also contested the constituency in the 2020 General Election.
Asked if she would run in the same constituency in the upcoming election, Ms Rahayu said: “I’m here now. For us honestly, it’s still business as usual so we’ll still carry on.
“Of course, I feel affection for my residents and the familiarity … but I do believe at the end of the day, it is a collective work.”
On whether contesting the election would be more challenging given that Bukit Batok SMC will merge with parts of Jurong GRC to form the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Ms Rahayu said: “We have had one town council … and we are actually very close as a Jurong family … so it’s not uncomfortable.
“It’s almost natural, and I can’t say it’s more challenging because we have always looked at things collectively.”
The 2025 General Election will be the first in more than two decades where Mr Tharman, previously anchor minister for Jurong GRC and MP for the Taman Jurong ward, is not contesting, after he was elected as Singapore’s head of state in 2023.
“Of course we miss him, and of course residents miss him very much,” Ms Rahayu said. “At the start, I’m sure there was a lot of anxiety.”
Still, she noted that Mr Tharman had built a “very good team” at his ward in Taman Jurong, and party members have continued to maintain those efforts.
While there has been speculation that Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu – currently MP for Yuhua SMC – could be positioned as the anchor minister for the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC, Ms Rahayu said: “We are very grateful for the guidance that she has provided. She’s also been there for a long time.
“For me, she’s always benefitted me with her insights and her support, and I’m very happy with whatever (support) she’s given so far.
“We take guidance for the future but like I said, it’s really something to be seen. As far as we are concerned, it’s BAU (business as usual).”
