Singapore — Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) is back to doing in-person meetings with the residents of Anchorvale, the ward he represents.
Assoc Prof Lim just recently returned to physically seeing residents again, after having been gone for a while. Along with his wife and daughter, the Sengkang MP was in the United States last month “for family reasons.”
Upon his return, like other travellers, he served a Stay-Home-Notice for 14 days.
On Friday morning (Sept 24) in a Facebook post, Assoc Prof Lim expressed gladness at seeing people in his ward again, calling it “invigorating.”
“After a month physically away, it was nice to return to house visits, estate walks, and meet-the-people sessions at #Anchorvale.
As usual, it has been invigorating to connect with residents, although there is much feedback to work on and things to improve.”
He went on to say that WP MPs, volunteers and other members, have continued with “serving our residents on the ground,” although they go in very small teams and while implementing safe distancing measures.
“Personally, it has also meant that I’ve been able to get a keener sense of emerging conditions, and to better address them,” he added.
Assoc Prof Lim called resuming his activities on-ground “a rapid return to a busy schedule.”
He added that residents are sometimes surprised to see the WP team, and even thank them for visiting them and listening to them.
“But I don’t see it that way at all. We signed up to serve the people, and so that’s just what we’re supposed to do,” wrote Assoc Prof Lim.
The Sengkang MP has kept a close eye on Anchorvale and depended on other WP members for help in this as well.
As Assoc Prof Lim was still away when Covid restrictions were relaxed and MPs were allowed to resume face-to-face meetings with residents toward the end of last month, fellow Sengkang MP Raeesah Khan, who represents the residents of Compassvale, stepped in for his Meet-the-People sessions.
More recently, however, it was Mr Png Eng Huat who stepped up for Assoc Prof Lim, who posted a photo of Mr Png on his Facebook page on Sept 7.
Indeed, WP leaders have stood in for one another in meeting residents when necessary. This happened late last year when both Ms Khan and fellow Sengkang MP Ms He Ting Ru (Buangkok) were both on maternity leave.
Party head Pritam Singh announced on Dec 24, 2020, that several WP members would “on a rotational basis and for as long as required, support Ru and Raeesah’s work in Sengkang GRC by standing in for their weekly Meet-the-People Sessions, House visits and Estate Walks.”
/TISG
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