Khaw Boon Wan Hands Over PAP Flag To GRC Successor Ong Ye Kung
Unlike previous years, Mr Khaw Boon Wan will not be running for the upcoming election, as he retires after a 19-year political career.
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Taking over him to lead the People’s Action Party’s (PAP’s) team in Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) is incumbent Education Minister Ong Ye Kung.
On Tuesday, Mr Ong and the new PAP Sembawang team took part in a “handing-over ceremony” that saw Mr Khaw passing the “torch” – or in this case the party flag – to the next generation of representatives.
Khaw recalls how he took over
Mr Khaw took to Facebook soon after to share the momentous occasion:
In his post, Mr Khaw harked back to 14 years ago, when then retiring Sembawang MP Tony Tan sent him and the rest of his PAP team off to the nomination centre.
He wrote that the move then was a “gamble” as Mr Khaw was new to the area.
On Nomination Day, it was Mr Khaw’s turn to do the same, before the new Sembawang team headed to one of the nomination centres to register as candidates.
Khaw compares occasion to his daughters’ marriage
Speaking to reporters, Mr Khaw said he had mixed emotions about the occasion and compared it to when his daughters got married and moved out.
Prior to the send-off, Mr Khaw handed over the PAP party flag to Mr Ong.
Unlike the “risky” handover years ago, the transition this time round was “planned”.
Hence, Mr Khaw has faith that the new team will do him and his predecessor proud.
He left the new team with a few takeaways:
- Work hard for constituents and realise their dreams
- Look out for and help the vulnerable
- Help the less-fortunate children and give them a strong start in life
- Recruit the right people
- Plan for succession
Waving goodbye
As the new team got on the bus to head to the nomination centre, Mr Khaw stood at the bus stop and waved them goodbye — exactly like how your parents may have sent you off for school when you were a kid.
Who’s cutting onions?
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The PAP team contesting Sembawang GRC are:
- Mr Ong Ye Kung
- Mr Vikram Nair
- Mr Lim Wee Kiak
- Ms Poh Li San
- Ms Mariam Jaafar
They will go head-to-head against the National Solidarity Party’s (NSP’s) team comprising:
- Mr Spencer Ng
- Mr Ivan Yeo Tiong Boon
- Mr Sebastian Teo
- Mr Yadzeth Hairis
- Mr Sathin Ravindran
Mr Ng and Mr Yadzeth also contested in Sembawang GRC under the NSP in GE2015.
Others also stepping down in GE2020
Mr Khaw isn’t the only notable politician to have handled over the baton to the next generation of leaders.
Mr Goh Chok Tong and Mr Low Thia Khiang, who were once fierce rivals in Parliament, both stepped down leading up to GE2020, allowing the younger ones to take charge.
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GE2020 marks the start of a new era
GE2020 is an important election not only due to the uncertain times ahead, but also because it marks the end of an era, with some pretty notable politicians stepping down.
We wish Mr Khaw and the other political leaders stepping down a happy retirement, and may they enjoy the golden years they have ahead of them.
Featured image adapted from Facebook.Â
