A weekend of enjoyment with constituents for WP MP Faisal before health scare

SINGAPORE — It was a memorable weekend for the Workers’ Party (WP) Aljunied GRC member of parliament Faisal Manap as he spent quality time with the residents from the Kaki Bukit division over the weekend. However on Monday (Jul 24) night, he experienced chest pain and he immediately sought medical attention and was promptly referred to the hospital where he was treated for a cardiac condition.

WP announced that MP Faisal was warded and his condition is stable. He is currently being monitored and cared for in the intensive care unit. Former Hougang MP Png Eng Huat filled in for Faisal’s meet-the-people session on Wednesday (Jul 26), and he will continue to do so for the next two weeks.

Png was Faisal’s legislative assistant after the 2011 General Election. He was subsequently fielded as a candidate in the Hougang SMC by-election in May 2012 following the resignation of former WP MP Yaw Shin Leong. Png, who is also a member of WP’s central executive member, remained as Hougang SMC MP until 2020.

On Saturday, MP Faisal led three busloads of residents to Sungei Tengah. They visited the potted plants’ nursery at World Farm and then proceeded to Kok Fah, a local family-owned business that has been growing green vegetables for the past four decades. The group also made a stop at Qian Hu Aquarium to enjoy a variety of tropical fishes on display.

The following day, the Aljunied GRC MP was out again at his constituency to distribute Durian Puffs at Block 513 Bedok North Avenue 2 on Sunday evening. MP Faisal’s wife Aidah was present to assist at the event as each household received two packs of three durian puffs which were specially ordered from a popular hotel pastries supplier. 

The next day, the Aljunied GRC MP was once again out and about with his constituents to distribute durian puffs at Block 513 Bedok North Avenue 2 on Sunday evening. MP Faisal’s wife Aidah was also there to assist at the event. Each household received two packs of three durian puffs each, which were specially ordered from a popular hotel pastries supplier.

In the WP’s posting on Facebook, MP Faisal received well-wishes from several of his parliamentary colleagues including Vikran Nair (Sembawang GRC), Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC), Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim (CCK GRC), and Seah Kian Peng (Marine Parade GRC).

Former Singapore Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam also expressed his well-wishes to MP Faisal, conveying his message on Facebook;  “Very sorry to learn that Faisal Manap is in ICU, but glad his condition is stable. Warmest wishes to Faisal and his family for a smooth recovery, and hope he can be back on the ground in Aljunied before too long.”

Faisal, a three-term MP, was first elected as a member of parliament during the 2011 Singapore general election. It marked a significant milestone as the WP became the first opposition party to secure a win in a Group Representation Constituency. Faisal was part of the winning team, which included then-party chief Low Thia Khiang, Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, and Chen Show Mao. The WP’s victory caused a major upset, as they garnered 54.72% of the votes, defeating the People’s Action Party team led by then-Foreign Minister George Goh, Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Ong Ye Kung, Cynthia Phua, and Lim Hwee Hua. /TISG