Melissa Tan, Chief Executive Officer of waste management firm Wah & Hua, was recently seen at a community walkabout alongside Cheryl Chan, Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast GRC.
The event, which took place in Tanah Merah Kechil and Jalan Anak Patong, was part of the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) outreach efforts.
Chan shared photos of the walkabout on her Facebook page, showing Tan accompanying her as they engaged with residents.
In her post, Chan mentioned receiving feedback on the 2025 Budget and highlighted residents’ enthusiasm for contributing to community initiatives.
“That’s what Forward SG is about. We can all play a part!” Chan wrote.
Tan, who has volunteered with PAP for nearly two decades, has historically been active in Hong Kah North SMC under the representation of Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment.
However, she only joined the Fengshan team in November 2024.
Her recent public appearances with PAP MPs, including participation in the Chingay parade alongside all five East Coast GRC MPs, have raised questions about her political aspirations.
Public concern over Tan’s political prospects amid fire safety violations at Wah & Hua
The attention on Tan comes at a time when Wah & Hua is facing scrutiny over the Kranji warehouse fire that erupted on 19 February 2025.
The fire burned for four days before being fully extinguished on 23 February.
On social media platforms like Mothership’s Facebook page, some questioned how someone overseeing a company repeatedly cited for fire safety violations could still be considered for election, calling it an act of arrogance and disregard for accountability.
Amy Khor: SCDF conducted 10 inspections, issued four fire hazard abatement notices to Kranji warehouse
During a parliamentary sitting on 6 March, Minister Khor revealed that the warehouse at 11 Kranji Crescent had been inspected multiple times by authorities.
Since 2021, the National Environment Agency (NEA) conducted six inspections, while the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) carried out ten inspections between 2018 and 2024.
Khor disclosed that the facility had received four fire hazard abatement notices, requiring it to rectify fire safety non-compliance issues.
Additionally, three notices of offence were issued for various violations. However, she stated that “all these were actually rectified.”
SCDF previously reported that the warehouse had been cited seven times for fire safety violations between 2018 and 2024.
Some of these offences included unauthorised fire safety works, such as constructing a steel platform without approval.
While rectified violations may result in fines of up to S$5,000, more severe breaches could lead to prosecution, with penalties reaching S$200,000, a maximum jail term of 24 months, or both.
Following the fire, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) ordered the facility’s owner to close off access to damaged structures.
Investigations by NEA and SCDF are ongoing to determine if the warehouse complied with licensing and fire safety regulations.
The incident marked the fourth fire at the facility in seven years, with previous fires occurring in 2018, 2023, and 2024.
Melissa Tan’s corporate and political trajectory
Beyond her role as CEO of Wah & Hua, Tan serves as Chairwoman of the Waste Management & Recycling Association of Singapore (WMRAS).
She also represents the Asia-Pacific region on the board of the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA).
Academically, Tan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Curtin University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Leicester.
Under her leadership, Wah & Hua sold a majority stake to Blue Planet Environmental Solutions and entered a joint venture with China Tianying to develop a waste-to-energy plant.
Her involvement in PAP activities has grown significantly in recent months.
She was first observed at a Fengshan PAP outreach event in November 2024, distributing party-branded teddy bears alongside Cheryl Chan.
Her frequent appearances alongside East Coast MPs have led to speculation that she may be a potential PAP candidate in the upcoming general election.
With East Coast GRC’s electoral boundaries recently redrawn to include Joo Chiat, represented by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, the five-member constituency now has six potential MPs, including three cabinet ministers.
Fengshan’s evolving electoral landscape
Fengshan’s political history has seen several changes over the years. Initially created in 1984 as a Single Member Constituency (SMC), it was absorbed into Bedok GRC in 1991.
The constituency was later merged into East Coast GRC in 1997.
East Coast GRC saw its first electoral contest in 2006 when the Workers’ Party (WP) fielded candidates.
WP continued contesting the constituency in every general election since, securing Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats in 2011 and 2015.
In 2015, Fengshan was re-established as an SMC, where Cheryl Chan won against WP’s Dennis Tan. However, in 2020, it was once again absorbed into East Coast GRC.
With the next general election approaching, speculation continues over whether Tan’s increasing involvement in PAP activities signals a potential candidacy.
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