WP volunteer: Faisal Manap says he’s ready to leave ICU

SINGAPORE: Workers’ Party (WP) vice-chairman and Aljunied GRC MP Muhamad Faisal bin Abdul Manap has reportedly said he is ready to move from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a step-down ward after being hospitalised on Monday (24 July) due to a cardiac condition.

One of Mr Faisal’s volunteers who helps out at his meet-the-people sessions (MPS), 42-year-old Mr Hiskandar Zulkarnaen Hasshim, told the Straits Times that most of the volunteers visited the hospital on Tuesday (25 July) to see the MP and this was when Mr Faisal communicated that he is ready to leave the ICU.

Mr Hisander added that the volunteers were shocked by Mr Faisal’s sudden hospitalisation as Mr Faisal had been actively engaged in community activities over the weekend. He had visited a fish farm and nurseries and even distributed durian puffs to residents.

The volunteer said, “We’re still adjusting. The priority is always the residents and to make sure their needs are met. A lot of the residents who come to seek his help have a very strong personal connection to him.”

The WP said on Tuesday that Mr Faisal’s fellow Aljunied GRC MPs and other party members will cover his duties while he recovers.

Former Hougang SMC MP and senior WP member Png Eng Huat was seen filling in for Mr Faisal at his MPS on Wednesday (26 July). Revealing that he will take on Mr Faisal’s duties for the next two weeks, Mr Png told the national broadsheet: “We are a team, so I did not hesitate to help. It’s not an issue for me.”

Mr Png added that he is well-acquainted with Mr Faisal’s constituents, having previously served as the Aljunied GRC MP’s legislative assistant after the historic 2011 general election, where the WP became the first opposition party to win a GRC.

A year later, Mr Png contested and won the Hougang SMC by-election. He was re-elected in the 2015 general election but decided against contesting the 2020 election. The WP fielded Dennis Tan Lip Fong in its stronghold and held on to Hougang SMC.