Post-Halimah Yacob transition to help Marsiling residents going smoothly: MP Alex Yam

The transition process to help residents of Marsiling is going smoothly, said Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC MP Alex Yam on Tuesday (8 August), a day after Halimah Yacob, the MP for the ward, resigned from her post to run for president.

Speaking to reporters during a Meet-The-People session (MPS), Yam gave the assurance that the needs of residents would be taken care of.

Halimah, who also stepped down as Speaker of Parliament and a member of the ruling People’s Action Party, was part of a four-MP team for the GRC alongside Yam, National Development Minister Lawrence Wong and Ong Teng Koon. She was seen saying farewell to her former residents at the MPS, which was held at Block 30, Marsiling Drive.

Yam said, “The transition has been smooth. We discussed about it over the weekend and our duty now is to reassure the residents.

“Minister Wong will be taking over the MPS for the next couple of weeks, with the rest of us taking turns to help out.”

As part of the move to help residents in Marsiling-Yew Tee, Zaqy Mohamad, MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC, has been appointed as adviser to the GRC’s Grassroots Organisation, the People’s Association said earlier Tuesday.

Paying tribute to Halimah, Ong said the MPs of the GRC and residents have benefitted from the passion and dedication shown by the 62-year-old former MP.

“Despite her age, she was still able to go about carrying out her duties (in the GRC) and has helped build a strong team here,” he added.

Yam was also asked about the impact on the MPs if there were no by-election in the GRC after Halimah’s departure. He reiterated that the MPs are focused on meeting the needs of residents.

“No one has said there won’t be a by-election. It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister (whether to hold a by-election). And until someone says so, we will continue to serve the residents,” he said.