During the announcement of the confirmed Sembawang GRC line up in the coming General Election, Sembawang GRC MP and Minister for National Development Khaw Boon Wan said that the GRC will be getting a new swimming complex and a first-of-its-kind healthcare facility called “polyclinic plus” by 2018. The two new public infrastructures will be located in Old Nelson Road next to Admiralty MRT station and will also feature a childcare centre and an eldercare centre. Woodlands interchange will also be upgraded and a new Woodlands General Hospital will also be built from 2022 onwards.
Minister Khaw Boon Wan however dismissed public speculations that this is an election carrot, saying that this news came about because the Sembawang population has just reached “critical mass”.
Announcement of infrastructural development by the ruling party PAP candidates, otherwise known as election carrot, is a common practice in Singapore. It has also proven very efficient in helping the ruling party win seats, with the last contentious former Opposition constituency Potong Pasir being narrowly won by the PAP.
The Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen has earlier this week called for Singaporeans to vote for “enlightened self-interest”, signalling Singaporeans to place national debates and policy changes behind constituency upgradings.
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