National Development Minister Acknowledges Tough Contest but Emphasises Teamwork

National Development Minister Desmond Lee has acknowledged that the upcoming election in West Coast-Jurong West GRC is likely to be a closely contested one. However, he reaffirmed that if given the mandate, he and his People’s Action Party (PAP) team are prepared to serve the residents.

Speaking on The Usual Place podcast by The Straits Times, Mr Lee addressed the possibility of a tough electoral fight, citing the competitive nature of the 2020 General Election. He remarked, “The last contest was intense, and I see no reason why this one will be any different.”

The discussion, which took place on 18 March, covered topics such as public housing and political challenges, including the restructuring of electoral boundaries. The newly formed West Coast-Jurong West GRC merges areas from the existing West Coast GRC and parts of Jurong GRC, traditionally a PAP stronghold. Meanwhile, areas like Telok Blangah and Dover will no longer be part of the constituency.

In the previous election, Mr Lee was part of the PAP team that narrowly defended West Coast GRC against the opposition Progress Singapore Party. The team also included former Transport Minister S. Iswaran, who later resigned in January 2024 and was convicted of corruption.

Reflecting on his role, Mr Lee emphasised the importance of teamwork in governance. “We stepped in to ensure that West Coast remained well-supported. I’ve taken care of Boon Lay and now also West Coast, and it’s a collective effort—whether in grassroots work, parliamentary duties, or ministry responsibilities,” he explained.

When asked if he was ready to take on a more prominent leadership role, he responded, “Ultimately, that’s for my superiors to decide. But I am always prepared to serve when needed.”

Since entering politics in 2011, Mr Lee described the past five years as the most challenging. He has had to navigate the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on public housing and manage the political fallout from Iswaran’s departure.

He highlighted the value of collaboration in policymaking: “One of my biggest takeaways is the power of teamwork—whether working with public servants, volunteers, or grassroots leaders. Effective governance depends on diverse perspectives and strong partnerships to create fair and practical policies.”