Residents singing the National Anthem at the May Day Sing-along event next to Yew Tee MRT station on May 15. - ST
SINGAPORE: The strains of Taylor Swift’s hit song Love Story filled a tent in Yew Tee jam-packed with residents on May 15, as they waited in anticipation to see their district’s anchor minister Lawrence Wong sworn in as the Republic’s fourth prime minister.
The May Day singalong-cum-watch party for Wong’s swearing-in ceremony at the Istana was organised by the People’s Association at a hard court next to Yew Tee MRT station.
The swearing-in was streamed live from 8pm after a series of performances by local artists. Wong has been an MP for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC since 2015.
According to organisers, around 1,000 residents were expected at the event, where inflatable clappers, fans and light sticks were laid across hundreds of seats, adding to the atmosphere.
By 7.40pm, a sizeable crowd of onlookers had gathered at the temporary tent to witness Wong take on the mantle as PM.
Among the first to arrive was Jurong East resident Toh Hoo Kee, 73, who secured a front-row seat.
The part-time private bus cleaner had found out about the watch party only on May 13 when he passed by Yew Tee and decided to drop by to show his support for the Government.
Armed with his guitar, he said: “I’m not sure if Wong will show up tonight but if he does, I will sing for him.”
Others at the party included Jennifer Muneswary, 44, and her seven-year-old daughter, Heavenly Joy. They were there to witness the historical occasion and soak in the atmosphere.
The healthcare attendant said she believes Wong is the best man for the job, citing how hard the 51-year-old had worked to manage the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I use him as motivation for my daughter,” said Muneswary, adding that she told her daughter to make Singapore proud, like Wong has.
Muneswary also recounted how Wong had assisted in finding an infantcare service for her daughter some years back.
“If I go to him for anything, he won’t say no,” she added.
Once the live stream began at 8pm, Wong received noticeably louder cheers than anyone else whenever he appeared on the screen. - The Straits Times/ANN
