GE2025: PAP’s Gho Sze Kee wants to have a ‘clean fight’ with independent candidate Jeremy Tan
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The PAP's Mountbatten candidate Gho Sze Kee with Pine Close estate cleaner Lana Abdul on April 29.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
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SINGAPORE – The PAP’s candidate for Mountbatten SMC, Ms Gho Sze Kee, said she wants to agree to disagree on politics with independent candidate Jeremy Tan, whom she is challenging in the upcoming election.
Describing Mr Tan as an “affable fellow” and a “great guy”, Ms Gho said on April 29: “Gone are the days where (opponents) see each other and try to be aggressive. I told Jeremy, let’s have a clean fight.”
Ms Gho and Mr Tan had briefly crossed paths on April 27 when they were both visiting landed properties in Mountbatten and exchanged friendly greetings. They also had a short conversation on Nomination Day on April 23.
Speaking to The Straits Times on the sidelines of house visits in Pine Close on the seventh day of the hustings, Ms Gho said that while Mr Tan is a worthy opponent, she feels the campaign should be about fighting to win the hearts and minds of the residents, and “never about the opposition”.
This is the first time Ms Gho, a maritime lawyer, is contesting, taking over from incumbent PAP MP Lim Biow Chuan, who is stepping down after four terms.
Mr Tan, 34, is a first-time independent candidate
“My campaign so far has been received positively by residents – both private property and HDB residents,” Mr Tan told ST on April 29 as he wrapped up house visits at landed properties in Wilkinson Road.
When asked about his opponent, Mr Tan described Ms Gho as a “very friendly and very welcoming choice”, but added that he is a better candidate due to his availability, close proximity to Mountbatten, and how he “lives and breathes Mountbatten”.
“I think I am also better because I have a free and open channel to speak in the Parliament,” he said.
On the limited resources he has for campaigning, Mr Tan said: “I wasn’t going to give out toothbrushes, Labubus, eggs or vouchers. I decided to be very hands-on. So, people would have already experienced house visits from me... and I have also taken a lot of video calls, and done walkabouts at food centres.”
“Just being on the ground and hand-delivering my fliers gives me a significant edge in getting to know residents,” he added.
Noting that campaigning is “not a one-way street”, he said he has been replying to comments and receiving feedback on social media platforms – Instagram, TikTok, Reddit and the HardwareZone forum.
He added that he has also reached out to former town council staff and companies that bid for past town council projects, to learn more about the costs and work involved in running a town council, so he can develop a “comprehensive town council plan” for residents.
Independent candidate Jeremy Tan distributing fliers in Wilkinson Road on April 29.
ST PHOTO: ESTHER LOI
Likewise, Ms Gho, 46, said she believes in hitting the ground hard and not assuming that any vote is hers.
“We go door to door canvassing for votes, and we do it the hard way,” she added.
“I know I am a new candidate, although I have 13 years as a senior activist, so I do ask them humbly for their support and that they give me a chance to serve them,” said Ms Gho.
She has been a PAP activist since 2012 and the party’s Bukit Timah branch secretary since December 2020.
On the challenges of being an independent candidate, Mr Tan said the sheer number of forms to fill in and permits to apply for requires a good amount of planning.
He has a team of almost 50 volunteers, and has been learning from those with experience volunteering with other opposition parties.
When asked about the difficulties of being a new face in a single seat, Ms Gho said it is not that challenging, as she has a strong team of activists behind her and Mr Lim’s endorsement.
Mr Lim has also been accompanying Ms Gho on house visits during the campaign.
Responding to a question on how he feels about Ms Gho as his successor, Mr Lim said on April 29: “What struck me – and what I’m happy with – is her sense of compassion. She’s kind... I think these are, to me, ideal traits of an MP.”
“She has those aspects that I feel are important, which is why I’m campaigning with her practically every day.”
On the advice he has been giving Ms Gho, Mr Lim said: “Really, the most important (thing) is your character. You must want to serve for the right reasons.”
He added: “If you serve for the right reasons, I think people will grow to like you. Your residents will have faith in you – they will be confident that you are there and want to look after them.”
