More can be done to improve our estate: Radin Mas residents
Residents in Radin Mas are looking forward to voting for the first time in 27 years in the upcoming General Election (GE).
Formerly part of Tanjong Pagar GRC, Radin Mas was recently carved out as one of 12 Single Member Constituencies (SMC) as part of the electoral boundary changes recommended by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee.
Radin Mas residents last voted in 1984 as part of an SMC. During that election, a People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Chng Hee Kok narrowly beat Wong Hong Toy of the Workers' Party (WP).
The ward's current MP is Sam Tan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Trade and Industry and Information, Communications and the Arts, who has served residents in the area for the past five years.
Residents told Yahoo! Singapore that it was convenient to live there, citing amenities within walking distance such as markets and coffee shops.
However, some felt that more could be done, especially in terms of upgrading the estates' facilities.
For example, resident Jasmine Wong, 38, felt that there should more play areas for children because there is only one basketball court near her block.
On the other hand, 60-year-old Iqbal Ibrahim said that he would like to see more exercise areas for the elderly so that they can maintain a healthy lifestyle. A third of the 31,000 residents in the area are above the age of 55.
Reform Party's potential Radin Mas candidate Alec Tok said that he would like to bring more youthful energy to the estate in Telok Belangah.
With residents in the SMC facing the prospect of choosing among four political parties in the next GE, resident Leong Kai Hong, 67, said that he will carefully consider the options before going to the polls.
"So far the PAP has taken good care of residents here, but I will also see what the rest have to offer as well."
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