Newly elected Murali hits the ground running
(Video by Nurul Amirah)
Barely 12 hours after booking his place in Parliament, Murali Pillai from the People’s Action Party (PAP) was already hard at work, taking to the streets of Bukit Batok to express his gratitude to residents.
Along with his grassroots leaders, Murali boarded an open top lorry which made its way through Bukit Batok as he waved to and thanked residents.
The lawyer, who defeated Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan in the Bukit Batok by-election on Saturday (7 May), started his journey at about 11am on Sunday (8 May) before talking to the media at a market two hours later.
Murali and his grassroots leaders making their way through Bukit Batok to thank residents. (Photo: Safhras Khan)
Hitting the ground running
Murali, who garnered 61.21 per cent of the vote share, told reporters that he wants to build a better place for Bukit Batok residents; one where everyone is respected and supports each other, as outlined in his manifesto.
“I am raring to go and I am grateful for the great turnout from my supporters and volunteers. I will power through my plans and see how I can implement them,” he said at the market near Block 154 Bukit Batok Central.
He added that he has already identified some partners to help with his plans and welcomes volunteers to step forward to assist him. He revealed that residents will hear more about his plans in a matter of months.
Among Murali’s plans for the constituency are a job placement programme, a partnership with a cooperative to provide affordable healthcare, a youth mentoring programme and building an eldercare centre.
He explained that he will he reflecting on the by-election results before getting more partners involved in the plans that he had outlined and focusing on the area’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).
“We will open it (the NRP) up to get feedback from the residents on the matter,” said Murali.
Murali (foreground, second from left) was joined on his victory tour of Bukit Batok by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (blue shirt). (Photo: Safhras Khan)
Flowers for mothers
Murali who was joined by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, Grace Fu at the market, also spent the morning distributing stalks of roses to mothers in conjunction with Mother’s Day.
While on his tour, many residents congratulated Murali on his win and took the opportunity to take pictures with him.
Despite the scorching morning sun, Murali obliged to all the requests, spending more than an hour in the area before settling down with the other ministers and grassroots leaders for lunch at a nearby coffeeshop.
When asked to comment on Chee’s plan to continue walking the ground at Bukit Batok, Murali said he welcomed the SDP chief’s decision, adding that it ultimately will be a good thing as it is about serving the residents.
