Constituencies in Northern Singapore

IF I were the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee

As I mentioned previously, I found it really strange that the previous EBRC had chose to split up Sembawang and give it to the other two GRCs surrounding it. Furthermore, this divide is not some simple "the left part goes one way, and the right portion the other", but (IMO) a really disruptive one with the middle of Sembawang (new town) going to Nee Soon GRC, and the areas on both sides going to Sembawang GRC. (Equally ironic is that Sembawang MRT is not part of Sembawang GRC.)

Also mentioned previously, when we look at many of the Single-Member Constituencies in the 2011 Election, you can see that they are awkwardly carved out of another GRC. When the EBRC seeks to create a SMC, I feel that they should choose areas that have clear boundaries, and is self-containing with a transportation hub (In the form of a MRT station and a bus interchange), a commercial centre (like shopping centre), areas of recreation and parkland, as well as other amenities like a library, a polyclinic or a hospital and religious places of worship like mosques, temples and churches. 

Sembawang SMC

Single Member Constituency (SMC)

I find it really curious that since 1984, Sembawang was never made into an SMC. When I look at the map of Singapore, only 3 areas stand out to me as textbook SMC quality, and Sembawang is one of them.

The Sembawang SMC I am proposing has very clear boundaries; Sungei Sembawang to the west, Gambas Ave to the south-west, and the man-made canal to the east. It has a transportation hub in the form of Sembawang MRT, and the adjacent Sembawang Bus Interchange. Sembawang has a small commercial in Sun Plaza, which contains a public library, and all over Sembawang are numerous greens and parks, with Sembawang Park being the largest. 

How Likely will we see the formation of this SMC in GE 2015/2016

Highly Possible. There is no reason why this SMC should not be formed. The PAP can field Khaw Boon Wan and expect to win comfortablly. Following historical precendence, we can expect the SDP to contest here. 

Yishun GRC

5 - Member Group Constituency (GRC)

Except for the removal of the Canberra Constituency, my proposed Yishun GRC is still very similar to the previous Nee Soon GRC. Yishun GRC also has very clear boundaries; The Man-made canal to the north, followed by the south-east perimeter of the Sembawang Airbase, which then joins to the SLE to the south, and Lower Seletar reservoir to the east.

The most obvious item I would have to address is the change of the name from Nee Soon GRC to Yishun GRC. I believe that the naming of the various constituencies must be done to reflect the area it is representing, and it should be recognizable to most Singaporeans. Ask the average Singaporean, and I believe most would have difficulties identifying where in Singapore is Nee Soon, while Yishun is far more recognizable. Furthermore, most of the main roads in this area contain Yishun, with barely a trace of Nee Soon being seen. 

With Nee Soon GRC (with Canberra Constituency) being a 5-membered GRC, shouldn't I create Yishun GRC as a 4-membered GRC? Firstly, Nee Soon GRC was estimated to be the 5th largest GRC in Singapore, with an estimated 148,168 voters in 2011. Even without Canberra Constituency, there would still be more voters than the smaller GRCs like West Coast (120,956) and East Coast (120,207). Furthermore, we should take into account future developments in the Lentor/Springleaf area. Hence I believe that it would be better a 5-membered GRC.

In keeping to my policy of naming SMC/GRCs to better reflect the areas they represent, my 5 constituencies of the Yishun GRC are: Chong Pang (Remains as the same), Yishun North, Yishun East, Kathib and Springleaf.

How Likely will we see the formation of this GRC in GE 2015/2016

Very Likely. Whether named as Nee Soon GRC or Yishun GRC, we would definitely see this GRC this upcoming GE. The exact boundaries would remain to be determined though. The PAP, led by the highly regarded K Shanmugan should expect to win by a large margin. We can expect the WP to continue to contest here. 

Woodlands GRC

5 - Member Group Constituency (GRC)

As with the Yishun GRC, except for the removal of the Sembawang Constituency, my proposed Woodlands GRC has otherwise the same boundaries as the previous Sembawang GRC; Sungei Sembawang and the end of Gambas Avenue to the east, followed by the south-east perimeter of the Sembawang Airbase, which then joins to Mandai Road to the south, and the canal (running somewhat parallel to woodlands road) to the west.

The previous Sembawang GRC was also one of the larger ones, with an estimated 142,351 voters. Hence I am once again proposing a 5-membered GRC, comprising of Admiralty, Woodlands Central (new), Woodlands North (new), Marsling and Woodgrove.

How Likely will we see the formation of this GRC in GE 2015/2016

Very Likely. Whether named as Sembawang GRC or Woodlands GRC, we should see this GRC this upcoming GE. With Khaw Boon Wan being fielded in Sembawang SMC, PAP would need to parachute in a new minister to lead the PAP team here. PAP would in this ward with a larger margin compared to the national average in the 2011 GE, the PAP should expect to win here again this coming election. Unless there are big changes to the line-up fielded in 2011, we should expect to see the SDP contesting here once again, with possible candidate James Gomez.