New Faces and Familiar Challenges in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC

Mr. Hoe, 37, is involved in philanthropic work as a director at The Majurity Trust, a registered charity. He has initiated several youth programs through his role there. His experience also includes a five-year tenure with the National Youth Council, and he currently serves as a district councillor with the Central Singapore Community Development Council.

He was introduced to residents earlier this month by Ms. Fu during the unveiling of the town council's five-year master plan, spanning from 2026 to 2030. At a press conference, Mr. Hoe emphasized the importance of paying it forward, stating that his own opportunities were made possible by the generosity of others. He is committed to creating similar opportunities for others.

Mr. Hoe shared that he has been accustomed to a public life for several years, openly sharing his personal story. He recounted his upbringing, including his parents' divorce and his mother's blindness due to a failed eye operation. To support his family, he assisted his mother in selling tissue papers at coffee shops, which impacted his ability to focus on academics.

Entering politics and facing public scrutiny is not entirely new to him, given his past experiences. The Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC was formed through a recent electoral boundaries review, encompassing parts of several previous constituencies. This GRC has a substantial voter base.

To maintain the MP-to-voter ratio, a new Jurong Central SMC was created. The People's Action Party (PAP) will be represented in Jurong Central by the current Jurong GRC MP, Xie Yao Quan. The opposition party Red Dot United has expressed its intention to contest in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

Jurong GRC has a history of being a PAP stronghold, consistently performing well in past elections. Ms. Fu acknowledged the legacy of former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who previously represented the area. She recognized the challenge of filling his role but expressed confidence in her team's ability to serve the residents. She also acknowledged the contributions of outgoing MPs Amy Khor and Dr. Tan Wu Meng.