The People’s Action Party has launched a new vision for East Coast GRC ahead of GE2025, centred on improving residents’ lived experiences. Titled “East Side Best Side,” the plan was unveiled through a new website, oureastcoast.sg, on April 15.
The roadmap is structured around eight pillars: A Place To Learn, Care, Eat, Pray, Conserve, Play, Shape The Future, and A Place For All. It highlights accomplishments from the past five years and sets goals through 2030.
Speaking at a media briefing, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong said the GRC is moving beyond building basic infrastructure to tailoring initiatives around how residents live, work and play. “We thought to create a plan not centred on hardware, but on how these facilities improve lives,” he explained.
The East Coast Plan was first introduced in 2020 by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, the constituency’s anchor minister. He did not attend the latest briefing.
The team providing the update includes Mr Tong, Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, Deputy Speaker Jessica Tan, and two new faces: Hazlina Abdul Halim and Goh Pei Ming.
Hazlina, a former media professional and ex-CEO of Make-A-Wish Singapore, was named as the successor to Minister Maliki Osman, who announced on April 12 that he would not recontest in East Coast GRC. Mr Goh, meanwhile, previously served as chief of staff (joint staff) in the Singapore Armed Forces.
Key goals for the next five years include improving digital inclusion for seniors, youth development, mental wellness, and support for caregivers. The plan also covers sustainability efforts like more green spaces, EV charging stations, and community-led conservation.
Other infrastructure highlights include upgrading Tanah Merah MRT station, building new BTO flats in Simei, revamping Kampong Chai Chee Community Club, and developing Safra Bayshore.
The East Coast team’s focus is now on how policy and physical improvements can translate into better everyday life for residents.
