General Election 2025

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GE2025: Military officers bring leadership to political arena but have to learn ground dynamics, say analysts​

There have been historically close links between Singapore’s military and its ruling party, with senior officers continuing to serve in public life after retiring, said experts.

(from left) Former Foreign Minister George Yeo, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing and labour chief Ng Chee Meng, were all generals in the military before joining politics. (Photos: CNA/Syamil Sapari, TODAY/Nuria Ling, CNA/Lim Li Ting,…see more

Fabian Koh​

26 Mar 2025

SINGAPORE: Earlier in March, Singapore’s Chief of Army handed over command to his successor.

It’s a routine move that takes place every few years – except the timing has fuelled murmurings that Major-General David Neo could resign from service, enter politics and contest the imminent General Election (GE2025).

Back when the change was announced in late February, the defence ministry said MG Neo would remain in MINDEF “to complete transition and other administrative matters”. CNA has contacted him for comment.

He would not be the first senior military officer to walk that path, with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) in particular having long sourced political talent from the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

At the last election in 2020, former brigadier-generals Gan Siow Huang and Desmond Tan were fielded as PAP candidates, and have since become political office holders.

Labour chief and former minister Ng Chee Meng’s Sengkang GRC team lost to the Workers’ Party at that same polls. Five years prior, Mr Ng had resigned as Chief of Defence Force to contest GE2015, and won as part of the PAP's Pasir Ris-Punggol team.

He was spotted at a community event in the new Jalan Kayu SMC on Mar 16, as well as the week before at a Meet-The-People Session also in the area – leading to speculation he could run for the single-seat ward in elections expected to take place in the coming months.

Former military officers-turned-lawmakers told CNA that attributes picked up from soldiering, such as leadership, adaptability and the ability to operate under pressure, served them well in the political arena.

Yet observers noted that such individuals have also had to acclimatise to the less hierarchical setting of civilian life, while quickly getting to grips with parliamentary processes, grassroots structures and being in touch with the ground.

THE MILITARY AND THE STATE​

Former minister and brigadier-general George Yeo told CNA that in Singapore, defence remains “inseparable” from statehood and independence – a dynamic unchanged since the 1990s. The SAF and National Service (NS) are thus core institutions of the country.

Observers noted the historically close links between Singapore’s military and its ruling party.

“The first generation of leaders like Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee started governing Singapore at a time when coups were very rampant in post-colonial societies in Southeast Asia, Latin America and Africa,” said Dr Terence Lee, senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) think-tank.

To ensure stable civil-military relations in newly independent Singapore, the leadership made sure there was civilian control over the military, by not making the armed forces an organisation isolated from the wider population.

“In certain countries, the armed forces see themselves as separate and different from society,” said Dr Lee, who specialises in the study of civil-military relations.

For instance, officers in the United States, Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia train at specialised, degree-granting institutions devoted to inculcating a strong military ethos and a deep sense of esprit de corps.

In Singapore, however, men and women training to be officers also pick up professional and technical expertise on top of soldiering skills.

And after retiring from the SAF, it is “common” for them to continue serving in public life, said Dr Lee.

National University of Singapore associate professor of political science Bilveer Singh said the transition from senior military officer to politics has been “viable and encouraged” since the 1980s.

He cited early examples such as current Senior Ministers Lee Hsien Loong and Teo Chee Hean as well as Mr Yeo, who were all given scholarships by the SAF.

Senior Ministers Teo Chee Hean and Lee Hsien Loong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam pictured in 2018 at the opening of the second session of the 13th Parliament. (File photo: Jeremy Long)
The latter wrote in his biography that SAF scholarships were not just an “HR (human resource) scheme to recruit talent” but an integral part of state formation in Singapore.

“The meritocracy was proven in their pathway to the scholarship. The notion was that because of merit, these guys are among the creme de la creme of society,” said Assoc Prof Singh.

“And in the Singapore context, being a small place, it doesn't mean that once you’re in the military, you’re forever in the military. You can be deployed for the greater good of society, which means in politics and the civil service.”

Ex-military officers in parliament​

SM Lee was a former brigadier-general who left the army for politics in 1984. In late 1990, he became deputy prime minister, and in 2004 he took over as Singapore’s third prime minister. He stepped down last year after 20 years at the helm.

SM Teo was a former two-star rear-admiral and Chief of Navy, before joining politics in 1992. By 1995, he was a political office holder; and became a full minister the next year. He is currently also Coordinating Minister for National Security.

Former major-general and Chief of Army Chan Chun Sing resigned from the military and entered politics in 2011. He was made Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports immediately after the polls that year. By September 2013, he was a full minister.

Other current political office holders include Singapore’s first female general Gan Siow Huang, who was a brigadier-general in the air force until her political debut in 2020. She was made minister of state after that election.

Another former brigadier-general is Senior Minister of State Desmond Tan. He left the SAF after 28 years, becoming chief executive director of the People’s Association from 2017 to 2020, before entering politics. He was made a Minister of State after the election, and promoted in May last year.

Prominent names in the past include Mr Yeo who entered politics in 1988 after resigning as brigadier-general in the military. He went on to helm various ministries including health, trade and industry and foreign affairs, before exiting politics in 2011 after his team lost in Aljunied GRC.

Ambassador to the United States Lui Tuck Yew is also a former two-star rear-admiral and Chief of Navy who was a full minister from 2010 to 2015 before he stepped down from politics.

Then there’s former parliament Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin, an army brigadier-general before joining politics in 2011. He was a full minister from 2014 to 2017, before becoming Speaker. He resigned in 2023 over an extramarital affair.

Apart from the highest echelons of the military, there have been several senior officers who also made the transition to politics.

Former fighter pilot Shawn Huang spent 19 years in the air force and rose to lieutenant-colonel, before leaving for Temasek International ahead of the 2020 polls. In May last year, he was appointed Senior Parliamentary Secretary.

Among the current backbenchers, South East District Mayor Mohd Fahmi Aliman was an army colonel who served in the SAF for 26 years. He left in 2019, joining the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) and then the National Trades Union Congress, before contesting the 2020 general election.
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“READILY TRANSFERABLE” SKILLS​

Moving from the military domain to that of civilian politics is not unique to Singapore.

The US, like Singapore, is replete with contemporary and historical examples, said RSIS’ Dr Lee. For instance, military four-star generals James Mattis and Llyod Austin both retired and went on to serve as Secretary of Defence under Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden respectively.

Observers who spoke to CNA said there was strong consensus among HR practitioners and academics that retired military officers have unique skill sets.

This includes experience leading large and complex organisations; knowing how to motivate and unify others towards common goals; fostering camaraderie and working across different teams.

On a more operational level, their military background also lends to capabilities spanning strategic planning, thinking and analysis; making critical decisions quickly and effectively under pressure; and adapting to changing environments.

Discipline and ethical behaviour instilled by the military are also attributes “readily transferable to the civilian world”, said Dr Lee.

He added that senior officers are also familiar with the public policy process, by virtue of close interactions with political leaders like the defence minister and senior civil servants such as permanent secretaries.

Assoc Prof Singh said senior military officers possess a different level of understanding of Singapore’s strategic needs, compared to say the average civilian who has undergone NS.

“Everything is a security issue in Singapore, and the best people to understand, encapsulate and operationalise it are the generals,” he said.

NTUC LearningHub chairman Lim Swee Say, who was also an SAF overseas scholar, told CNA his time in the military was valuable.

Then-East Coast GRC MP Lim Swee Say and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat speaking to residents during a ministerial community walkabout in Bedok on Jul 27, 2019. (File photo: Brandon Tanoto)
The former manpower minister and labour chief last held the rank of major and headed a department developing computerised information systems for military operations.

He left for the National Computer Board and then the Economic Development Board, before entering politics in 1997. He became a full minister in 2001, up till 2020 when he retired.

“Leadership is about setting goals, formulating strategies, guiding and motivating everyone in the team, and aligning collective efforts of all to jointly achieve our shared outcomes,” he said. “Many of the soft skills and hard know-how are common, relevant and applicable to both military and civilian settings.”

“NO GUARANTEE” OF SUCCESS​

Yet having a military CV can come with potential pitfalls as well, observers noted.

“The civilian world is more collaborative and less hierarchical,” said Dr Lee. “An authoritative leadership style developed in the military may clash with the expectations of teamwork and individual empowerment in civilian settings.”

Assoc Prof Singh also pointed to the learning curve involved in becoming a lawmaker in Singapore, be it grassroots familiarity, parliamentary processes or international relations and beyond.

“It does not mean because you're a military general, that you will become a political general tomorrow,” he said. “No guarantee.”

How well former military officers adapt would depend on how open-minded they are; whether they’re prepared to put aside any pride; and how well they accept the constant spotlight.

“The shift is more difficult nowadays because of social media and because of the transparency,” said Assoc Prof Singh. “Don't forget the army life is still very private, but the political life is 101 per cent public.”

In terms of appealing to voters, their military affiliation is less important than their actions and behaviour on the ground, said the political scientist.

“The senior military officers’ personality and temperament, along with the public belief in their sincerity to serve constituents, will be the key factor.”

Softer aspects such as emotional intelligence will also matter in trying to leave an impression, especially for a younger electorate interested and invested in a greater myriad of issues, Assoc Prof Singh added.

Former minister Yeo told CNA that it was a years-long effort for him to understand more about the lives and hopes and fears of Singaporeans from different backgrounds.

“It is necessary to be familiar with social and political structures, but that is not enough,” he said. “In politics, one needs to empathise with all segments of society … That learning requires not only an active mind but a willing heart.”

JOINING THE OPPOSITION​

Outside of the ruling party, Singapore’s opposition has never had Members of Parliament of high-ranking military background.

Former air force lieutenant-colonel Francis Yuen is perhaps most notable for becoming secretary-general of the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) between 2021 and 2023, succeeding party founder and former PAP MP Tan Cheng Bock.

He contested the 2020 GE, as did another former lieutenant-colonel in the PSP's ranks: Nadarajah Loganathan, who exited the party’s highest decision-making body after its latest election on Mar 20.

Also not re-elected to PSP's central executive committee was former assistant secretary-general and former SAF colonel Ang Yong Guan, who had contested the last three polls under the banners of the Singapore Democratic Party, SingFirst and PSP respectively.

The PSP also counts former brigadier-general Lee Hsien Yang, son of Singapore’s founding prime minister, as a member. He joined the party in June 2020, ahead of the general election that year, though he did not eventually stand in the contest.

FILE PHOTO: Lee Hsien Yang of the Progress Singapore Party meets residents ahead of the general election in Singapore June 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dawn Chua/File Photo
Associate Professor Tan Ern Ser, an adjunct principal research fellow with the Institute of Policy Studies, said having some former senior military officers join the opposition suggests “a plurality of political ideology” in the ranks.

Still, they remain a distinct minority.

Military officers would view entering politics as “an extension of their calling and duty to the nation, because of the ethos of service imbued in them through their career”, said RSIS senior fellow Alan Chong.

In that vein, “joining the ruling party brings a better chance of making it into Cabinet and being able to shape policies directly", he added.

"Being in the opposition is not consistent with this framework, at least currently."

FINDING A DEFENCE MINISTER​

In Singapore’s history, only one former military officer has ever gone on to become a full defence minister: SM Teo, who held the portfolio from 2003 to 2011.

Mr Yeo did write in his biography, however, that founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew had suggested he take up the defence portfolio. But he turned it down, citing how he had already spent many years in defence and thought he could learn much more in other ministries. He told CNA he was interested in the finance and foreign affairs portfolios instead.

Since 2011, Dr Ng Eng Hen, a former oncologist, has been Singapore’s defence minister.

FILE - Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen, center, attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP, File)
Observers noted a lack of a clear understudy or successor to Dr Ng, who turns 66 this year.

Current Education Minister and former Chief of Army Chan Chun Sing was appointed Second Minister for Defence in 2013. He relinquished it in 2015.

The Second Minister role then briefly went to Mr Lui during his stint in the Cabinet.

RSIS' Dr Chong argued that specific military expertise was not a requirement for the role

“When it comes to the training and doctrinal side, you always have on hand advice from your sitting generals and admirals, so the defence minister is not at a loss of expertise,” he said.

But Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, a senior international affairs analyst with Solaris Strategies Singapore, maintained that a former general would be a fitting candidate with their knowledge of defence and security matters, coupled with regimental leadership experience.

Assoc Prof Tan said that apart from being tuned to the SAF's capabilities, the defence minister needs to be well-versed in geopolitics and cultural sensitivities.

Asked who could take over from the current defence minister, Assoc Prof Singh pointed to Education Minister Chan or labour chief Ng – provided the latter returns to contest in this year’s election, and wins.

The academic noted that it would simply be beneficial to have someone already familiar with the ins and outs of the defence portfolio to step up and take it on.

“If you make someone with a non-military background the defence minister, he will have to learn the ropes all over again,” he said.

 

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AIC CEO expected to resign in next few days, latest senior public servant to do so ahead of GE2025​

Mr Dinesh, 49, has helmed AIC since 2023 – first as CEO-designate before taking on the role officially in February 2024. ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Goh Yan Han and Ng Wei Kai
Mar 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, the chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care, is expected to resign in the next few days and join politics, The Straits Times has learnt.

His resignation would be the latest among a raft of senior public servants who have left the service in the last few weeks, ahead of the next general election expected by mid-year.

Mr Dinesh, 49, has helmed AIC since 2023 – first as CEO-designate before taking on the role officially in February 2024.

AIC is the agency that coordinates care services for seniors.

Under his leadership, AIC rolled out programmes to encourage more seniors to volunteer and supported the implementation of Healthier SG, among other initiatives.

Before joining AIC, Mr Dinesh was director of the Ministry of Health’s crisis strategy and operations group during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He was also behind the push to vaccinate Singaporeans against the virus, for which he received the Public Service Star (Covid-19) award in 2024.

The special edition of the national award was given to those who led major efforts contributing significantly to managing the impact of the pandemic on Singapore.

Before joining MOH in 2020, Mr Dinesh spent more than 25 years in the Singapore Armed Forces and rose to the rank of brigadier-general.

He was commander of the 2nd People’s Defence Force, and led an SAF taskforce providing security during the 2018 summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The Straits Times has contacted Mr Dinesh for comment.

His expected departure follows the announcement of resignations of three senior civil servants on March 25.

They are: second permanent secretary Jeffrey Siow from the Ministry of Manpower and Trade and Industry; Budget director Shawn Loh from the Ministry of Finance, where he was director of security and resilience programmes; and director of the Smart Nation Strategy Office Goh Hanyan, who is also director of the national AI group for policy and strategy in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

Earlier, ST reported that deputy secretary (policy) Jasmin Lau from the Ministry of Health and director for private and future mobility Foo Cexiang from the Ministry of Transport had also resigned.

They will all leave the service within the next two weeks.

The PAP has traditionally tapped public service leaders when sourcing for candidates. Those who are chosen to stand often resign in the lead-up to the election, as they are not allowed to participate in political activities while in the service.

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HDB eases income assessment rules to allow young couples to buy more expensive BTO units​

The expansion of the scheme would help couples settle down earlier and buy a larger flat, said National Development Minister Desmond Lee.PHOTO: ST FILE
Isabelle Liew
Mar 26, 2025

SINGAPORE - The Housing Board will relax the way it assesses the income of young couples when they buy a Build-To-Order flat, making it easier for those who are still studying or just started working to buy more expensive units.

From the next BTO exercise in July, couples can choose to delay their income assessment for a housing loan until just before they collect the keys to their flat, as long as one party is a full-time student or national serviceman.

This would effectively mean that couples would be able to qualify for a higher loan amount as they would have been working for some time by then.

National Development Minister Desmond Lee announced this on March 26 at an engagement session about public housing at the National University of Singapore.

He also said 12,000 BTO flats with shorter waiting times of below three years will be launched from 2025 to 2027 - more than what HDB put out over the last five years. They will be among the over 50,000 flats the authorities will roll out in that period.

On relaxing the deferred income assessment criteria, Mr Lee said this would help couples settle down earlier and buy a four- or five-room flat if they plan to have children.

To qualify for deferred income assessment before this change, both parties would have to be either full-time students or national servicemen, or have completed their studies or national service in the 12 months before they applied for an HDB flat eligibility letter.

At least one of them must also be aged 30 or below.

“Each young couple’s life journey is different. Regardless of which path you take, if you are looking to settle down early... we hope to support you in achieving your housing aspirations,” Mr Lee told NUS students.

To illustrate how the deferred income assemment would help applicants buy larger flats, Mr Lee raised the example of a couple - where one person is studying and the other has worked for about a year - with a household income of $3,500 a month.

Previously, their budget would allow them to buy a three-room BTO flat in Yishun.

“However, the three-room flat might be small if they plan to have many children,” he said.

Under the expanded scheme, the couple can apply for a BTO flat first, and their HDB housing loan and assessment for the Enhanced Central Provident Fund (CPF) Housing Grant will be deferred for about three years, nearer to key collection.

“At that point, both parties would have started working. With a combined income of say $7,500, they will qualify for a sufficient loan to buy a four- or five-room BTO flat,” Mr Lee said.

He added that the scheme would also help couples who think a three-room flat is sufficient, but prefer to purchase a home closer to the city centre and amenities, which tend to be more expensive.

The initial downpayment they would have to fork out would be 2.5 per cent of the flat price.

Mr Lee said the expansion of the scheme will benefit a wide range of young couples, such as university, polytechnic and Institute of Technical Education graduates.

In his speech, Mr Lee also addressed concerns about the stock of BTO flats and waiting times.

The authorities are on track to exceed its initial commitment to launch 100,000 new flats from 2021 to 2025, he said.

The median waiting time for BTO flats has been shorted to less than four years, comparable with pre-pandemic waiting times, he added.

Mr Lee also acknowledged the calls to lower the minimum age for singles to buy BTO and resale flats, currently set at 35.

This is something that the authorities are reviewing even though they are “not quite ready to do so”, he said.

He noted that singles were able to apply for two-room flexi flats in all locations from last October. From mid-2025, singles will also get priority access when they buy a home near or with their parents under the Family Care Scheme.

Turning to housing affordability, Mr Lee acknowledged the anxiety felt by students after hearing about resale flats selling for more than $1 million.

“I want to assure you that there is a wide range of affordable housing for different housing budgets,” he said.

The new flat classification system, which sorts BTO projects into Standard, Plus and Prime categories based on their proximity to the city centre, transport connectivity and amenities, is meant to limit the “lottery effect” of owning flats in prime and central locations, Mr Lee said.

Plus and Prime flats will come with stricter resale conditions such as a 10-year minimum occupation period and a subsidy clawback.

They also have extra subsidies on top of existing BTO subsidies, to keep them affordable for first-timers, Mr Lee added.

 

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Election is about Singaporeans recognising much is at stake in this new environment: PM Wong​

PM Lawrence Wong said a strong and united Singapore is needed to survive a challenging global environment.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Alyssa Woo
Mar 26, 2025

HANOI – The upcoming general election is not just about the PAP needing a strong mandate, but Singaporeans recognising that much is at stake for the country in this new environment, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on March 26.

“In order to survive, in order to thrive, in order for us to navigate a very challenging global environment, we will need a strong and united Singapore,” he said. “So there is much at stake in the elections.”

“And when the elections come, I will present my case for the PAP, for me and my team, and I hope Singaporeans will give me the chance to serve them and to serve Singapore,” he added.

PM Wong was speaking to Singapore reporters in Hanoi before flying home after a two-day visit to Vietnam, his first to the country since taking over as prime minister in May 2024.

He said his introductory visits to the various Asean countries – he has been to Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia and Thailand – have allowed him to strengthen his relationship with his counterparts, affirm Singapore’s partnership with these key neighbours, and identify new areas in which to strengthen cooperation.

“All of us in Asean can see the changes happening in the world,” he said. “There is a profound change in the global order – competition is intensifying, trade barriers are going up,” he added.

“Great power rivalry is increasing and, more and more, it feels like we are entering a world where it’s every country for itself, and stronger countries will use aggression or even coercion to get what they want at the expense of smaller countries,” he said.

“Even within Asean itself, the large countries on their own will feel that this is a very difficult, inhospitable global environment. But if we can combine together... as a collective, we are much stronger, and we can hold our own.”

In the interview with Singapore media, PM Wong was asked about his progress in recruiting new candidates for the PAP team.

He noted that he had, at the ruling party’s conference in November 2024, said he was making a great effort to renew the leadership team and the People’s Action Party, and leadership renewal has remained a key priority for him.

“I’ve been spending a lot of time doing that in the past one, two years. I could have just decided to do less on the renewal front and largely contest with the present team,” he said.

“Things will be okay in one term, in the next five years, but if there is no renewal, I think we will feel the effects of it – not immediately, not even for the next five years, but certainly in the next 10 to 15 years,” he added.

“If that were to happen, it is not just the PAP, but Singapore and Singaporeans that will pay the price.”

PM Wong said he has been working hard to engage and persuade individuals to take the step forward to enter politics, and was glad that some had answered the call, including some public servants.

At the same time, the party has continued to recruit potential candidates from different sectors, including academia, before the final slate is chosen to be fielded, he added.

“Along the way, we expose them, we test them, and it’s a two-way street. Some we may feel are not ready this round, we may consider (them for the) next round. Individuals themselves may decide ‘this is not quite for me’, and they may decide perhaps they don’t want to continue, and that’s why there will inevitably be some who decide not to proceed,” he said.

“You will see faces popping up on the ground. I’m sure the media is closely monitoring who they are,” he added.

Pressed on how successful he had been in getting candidates from the private sector, PM Wong said some are prepared to step forward, but acknowledged the challenge they faced.

“For someone who is in the private sector, who is very successful, for example, in his 30s or 40s... potentially moving into a senior leadership position in a firm, MNC or large local company, the sacrifice is much greater,” he said.

“It’s not just a recent phenomenon. That has always been the case. It’s always been difficult,” he added.

“It remains that they must have the commitment to serve, the right values, and they are entering politics for the right reason, which is to serve their fellow Singaporeans, to give their all to make Singapore better for their fellow citizens.”

 

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GE2025: Leong Mun Wai re-elected as PSP chief ahead of general election​

Progress Singapore Party NCMP Leong Mun Wai will take over as party chief from Ms Hazel Poa, who will be the party's vice-chair.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Ng Wei Kai and Michelle Ng
Mar 26, 2025

SINGAPORE – Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai has been re-elected as party chief of the opposition Progress Singapore Party (PSP).

Mr Leong, who stepped down as secretary-general 13 months ago in February 2024, will lead the party into the general election after having been re-elected to the post on March 26.

He stepped down to take responsibility for a correction direction he received under Singapore’s fake news law for a social media post.

Mr Leong will take over the role from the party’s other NCMP, Ms Hazel Poa. He will be the PSP’s fifth leader since its founding in 2019. Ms Poa will be its vice-chair.

Mr Leong told reporters he was honoured to be asked to lead the party into the election, so it can “scale greater heights.”

He said Ms Poa has done a “tremendous job” in the last 12 months of organising the party’s structure to be ready for the election. In that time, he has focused on ground operations, he added.

The party leadership’s view is that he should now “orchestrate the whole campaign by integrating the structures we have, the strategies and also the ground troops that we have developed,” he said.

Mr Leong added that there will be little change as he and Ms Poa have always worked closely, saying: “This change is like a relay team, she did one part and then I take over.”

Ms Poa said she is happy with the new arrangement.

She said: “Mun Wai is ready to resume the duties of the sec-gen again, and I personally have some new responsibilities coming up as a foster parent, which will take up quite a bit of my time.”

Mr Leong was also asked about the optics of his return to the post, given the circumstances in which he stepped down last year.

“If we make a mistake, we should take responsibility. But that doesn’t mean that’s the end of one’s political career,” he replied.

“So at the right time when the situation demands, we should always step up, and that’s what I’m doing today.”

PSP founder Tan Cheng Bock, who will stay on as party chairman, said: “If we are wrong, we are wrong, but we are right, we will show you that this is the path to what we think is good for Singapore.”

He added that he is proud of Mr Leong for owning up to his earlier mistake, and said he had told him: “You must come back.”

“It shows the strength of the individual, not to just buckle and then just go ahead and leave,” Dr Tan said.

Dr Tan added that there was “no contest” for the post of secretary-general. “It is just that Hazel wanted to, you know, pass the baton back to Mun Wai,” he said.

The trio were speaking to reporters at the party’s headquarters in Bukit Timah Shopping Centre after the first meeting of its new central executive committee (CEC).

On March 20, the party voted six new names into its highest decision-making body, in a substantial refresh of its leadership slate.

The election was hotly contested with 24 candidates vying for 12 elected seats on CEC.

The election returned to the CEC Dr Tan and both Non-Constituency MPs, as well as, Mr A’bas Kasmani, Ms Wendy Low and Mr Phang Yew Huat.

Six new names were elected. They are: Mr Samuel Lim, Mr Anthony Neo, Mr S. Nallakaruppan, Mr Soh Zheng Long, Mr Jonathan Tee and Mr Joseph Wong.

Mr Kasmani, a safety practitioner and PSP candidate in GE2020, will be its second-vice chairman, while Mr S Nallakaruppan, another former candidate, will be its treasurer. Mr Nallakaruppan was the party’s first treasurer when it was founded in 2019.

Eight members of the previous CEC were not re-elected, including several who were candidates at the last election. They are Dr Ang Yong Guan, Mr Harish Pillay, Mr Jeffrey Khoo, Mr Nadarajah Loganathan and Mr Lim Cher Hong.

Of these, all except Dr Ang had sought re-election.

The new CEC was voted in by the party’s roughly 100 cadres comprising its inner circle. It will later co-opt two more cadres to form a 14-member body.

The new CEC will serve for two years until March 2027.

This is Mr Leong’s second stint as party chief, after first becoming secretary-general in April 2023.

Ms Poa was the PSP’s fourth secretary-general, and was the party vice-chairman prior to that.

Mr Leong first took over after Mr Francis Yuen vacated the position, after spending two years in the seat.

The PSP’s founder and current chairman, Dr Tan, was its first secretary-general.

Together with Dr Tan, Mr Leong and Ms Poa were on the PSP’s West Coast GRC slate that lost to a PAP team led by former transport minister S. Iswaran in the 2020 General Election.

It was the narrowest loss that year – which allowed the party to send Mr Leong and Ms Poa into Parliament as NCMPs.

The PSP is expected to contest several constituencies in the upcoming general election, including the newly redrawn West Coast-Jurong West GRC, and the neighbouring Chua Chu Kang GRC.

Its slates in these wards have not been confirmed.

Independent political observer Felix Tan said he views Mr Leong’s reprisal of the role as “coming full circle”.

The academic said Mr Leong’s re-election of is part of the process of PSP moving on from the Pofma issue, which is unlikely to dent voters’ confidence in Mr Leong.

The changes also demonstrate that PSP members have confidence in Mr Leong, he said.

“Both Mr Leong and Ms Poa are the star individuals we see in the CEC, so I think that will remain consistent,” he said, noting that Mr Leong will likely work with Ms Poa in the West Coast-Jurong West GRC as it is an area they are familiar with.

 

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Election spotlight: Will PAP’s grip hold in newly created Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC?​

With battle lines redrawn and significant changes to many constituencies, which will be the ones under the spotlight in GE2025? The Straits Times dives into the issues and concerns on the ground, in the newly created Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.​

Yuhua Village in Jurong East St 24 comes under the Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC for the 2025 General Election.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG
Hariz Baharudin and Lee Li Ying
Mar 27, 2025

SINGAPORE – Jurong GRC, long regarded as a stronghold of the PAP, will disappear from the electoral map in its current form.

Its 132,272 voters will be redistributed across multiple constituencies, with the majority – 62,424, or about 47 per cent – forming the core of the newly created Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

This five-member group representation constituency, which will also absorb all of Bukit Batok SMC and parts of Yuhua SMC and Hong Kah North SMC, will have a total of 142,510 voters.

The remaining voters from Jurong GRC will be divided among three other constituencies: the new West Coast-Jurong West GRC, the new Jurong Central SMC, and the existing Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

Jurong GRC has consistently been the People’s Action Party’s best-performing constituency in recent elections, securing a commanding 79.29 per cent of the vote in the 2015 General Election and 74.61 per cent in the 2020 General Election.

The formation of Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC throws up questions about how the contest there will play out, including whom the PAP will choose to lead the new team and how they will consolidate support among voters from different constituencies.

The redrawn boundaries could also set the stage for a more competitive contest, with the possibility of a multi-cornered fight. Opposition parties that have previously contested in wards there may see an opportunity to make inroads, testing the PAP’s ability to retain its dominance.

At the heart of it all is the biggest question – whether Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC can uphold Jurong’s track record as PAP’s strongest-performing constituency.

How the battle will shape up​

A key figure behind Jurong GRC’s strong electoral performance was President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who served as an MP in the constituency for over two decades.

His absence leaves a significant gap, raising questions about how the PAP will structure its leadership to contest Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

The new GRC will include areas from the old Jurong GRC, including Bukit Batok East and Clementi wards, currently represented by Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam and backbencher Tan Wu Meng, respectively.

It will also take in the entirety of Bukit Batok SMC, overseen by Minister of State for Law and Transport Murali Pillai, as well as parts of Hong Kah North SMC, which comes under Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu, the current MP for Yuhua SMC, is the only Cabinet minister among the incumbent MPs.

Political observers suggest Ms Fu, who had contested in Jurong GRC in 2006 before moving to Yuhua, is the front runner to anchor the PAP team in the new GRC.

Jurong GRC MPs (front row) Xie Yao Quan, Rahayu Mahzam and (back row) Tan Wu Meng with Bukit Batok MP Murali Pillai and Yuhua MP Grace Fu (partially hidden) at the launch of Jurong Central Ramadan Bazaar on March 1.PHOTO: RAHAYU MAHZAM/FACEBOOK
Singapore Management University law professor Eugene Tan said: “It is probable that Ms Fu will be the anchor for the PAP team in the new GRC. Dr Khor will either not be contesting or moved to another GRC or SMC.”

Dr Khor is a five-term MP, having first entered politics when she contested as part of the PAP team in the 2001 General Election in Hong Kah GRC.

The PAP typically refreshes its slate by introducing new candidates in each election to ensure leadership renewal. The longer an MP has served, the more likely he or she is to step aside to make way for fresh faces.

When asked on March 12 if she will be the anchor minister for the GRC, Ms Fu said: “That’s a decision for the Prime Minister to make.”

Speaking on ST’s current affairs podcast, The Usual Place, on March 20, Ms Fu noted that she is well acquainted with many of the wards within the new GRC, as they fall under the Jurong-Clementi Town Council, which she has been involved with.

The town council serves Bukit Batok SMC, Yuhua SMC and Jurong GRC.

Ms Fu acknowledged that Hong Kah North is not part of this town council, and said she intends to familiarise herself with the area to better understand the concerns of its residents.

The incumbent MPs in the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC are relatively well known to their constituents, which will help them connect with residents and secure their support, said Dr Mustafa Izzuddin, senior international affairs analyst at Solaris Strategies Singapore.

“If they have been able to connect with the ground, their incumbency advantage will still hold – even with the carving out of new boundaries,” he said.

Another key question is whom the PAP will face in the new GRC.

In the 2020 election, the PAP team in Jurong GRC went up against Red Dot United (RDU), then Singapore’s youngest political party.

RDU was barely three weeks old when it fielded a team led by its secretary-general Ravi Philemon, the managing partner of a media company.

The team also included educator and counsellor Michelle Lee, theatre director Alec Tok, entrepreneur and author Liyana Dhamirah, and legal engineer Nicholas Tang.

RDU garnered 25.39 per cent of the vote in Jurong, the only constituency it contested.

Undeterred by its loss, the party has identified Jurong East-Bukit Batok as one of six constituencies it plans to contest. It has yet to unveil its slate for the GRC, however.

On March 15, at a porridge distribution event at Bukit Batok East Point, RDU introduced a new potential candidate, Mr Pang Heng Chuan, a business director at a tech start-up.

Red Dot United secretary-general Ravi Philemon and new party candidate Pang Heng Chuan at a porridge distribution event at Bukit Batok East Point on March 15.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Mr Pang said he has been engaging residents in various constituencies, including Jurong, though he has yet to confirm where he will be fielded.

While the RDU looks set to square off against the PAP, there is a question mark over whether another political party with a history of walking some wards in the new GRC will join the contest.

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has previously contested Yuhua and Bukit Batok SMCs, both of which are now absorbed into Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

In GE2020, the SDP’s candidate for Yuhua, entrepreneur Robin Low, garnered 29.46 per cent of the vote.

Meanwhile, SDP chief Chee Soon Juan made significant inroads in Bukit Batok, securing 45.2 per cent of the vote against PAP’s Mr Murali. He improved on his showing in the 2016 by-election, where he got 38.77 per cent of the vote.

After the redrawing of electoral boundaries, the SDP expressed disappointment at the removal of Yuhua and Bukit Batok SMCs.

The party has not yet made its position clear about its plans for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

But on March 23, Dr Chee bade farewell to residents in Bukit Batok and said he will contest the newly carved out Sembawang West SMC instead.

Addressing a crowd of SDP volunteers and party members, he said he had distributed his last flier in Bukit Batok just a day before the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report.

He thanked residents and said he will not “leave Bukit Batok behind”, as he will “carry their aspirations and dreams of wanting to see the opposition in Parliament”.

Should SDP field a team, it would have to negotiate with the RDU, said Dr Mustafa.

He noted how while both sides will say they have been actively engaging residents, the parties will have to weigh their options carefully with the prospect of a multi-cornered fight on the horizon.

“Multi-cornered fights typically favour the incumbent. It may well happen that one of them may even lose their deposit, if they don’t strategise,” he added.

An SDP spokeswoman told ST on March 26 that it is currently focusing its resources on Sembawang West SMC, Sembawang GRC and Bukit Panjang SMC.

“We have yet to finalise our plans for other areas,” she said.

Responding to concerns of residents​

Most residents that ST spoke to in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC said they are pleased with how their estates are run.

Madam Catherine Teo, 72, a retiree who has lived in a four-room flat in Bukit Batok East for 17 years, said she has seen improvements in her estate over the past five years, including the addition of drop-off points and playgrounds.

She particularly appreciates the construction of a low covered linkway between Block 268 and Block 269, which allows her to move around the estate without worrying about getting wet when it rains.

Madam Teo is among the 19 per cent of residents in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC who are aged 65 and above, a figure slightly higher than the national average of 18 per cent.

For many of them, key concerns include stability, continuity and whether their voices will be adequately represented in Parliament.

Residents like Mr Abbas Mohamed Rizal are closely watching the movements of politicians in their neighbourhood. The 34-year-old, who works in the education sector and has lived in the Bukit Batok East area of Jurong GRC all his life, believes leadership will be a crucial factor in the upcoming election.

“Mr Tharman was the face of Jurong GRC, and he gave residents a strong sense of confidence. With a new team coming in – one that has not worked together in this way before – they’ll need someone who can bring them together and lead effectively,” he said.

Mr Bernard Lin, a 58-year-old manager at a transport company and another long-time resident of Jurong GRC, said it remains to be seen whether the opposition can mount a serious challenge in the new GRC.

“We will have to see who the opposition team is and if they will be strong enough to overthrow them. The PAP is still very strong,” said Mr Lin, who has lived in the Highgate Walk area in Bukit Batok East for 35 years.

Residents of Ms Fu’s ward in Yuhua were approving of the possibility of the minister leading a GRC slate.

Many said she has an active presence on the ground – from turning up regularly at community events to more informal coffee-shop chats with residents.

Homemaker Cindy Tan, 49, said: “Ms Fu is the face of this place. You would be able to bump into her every Saturday or Sunday in this area.”

Madam Tan pointed out the minister’s keen eye for detail.

“I bumped into her at an event and I realised she’s always observing. She would give feedback to her staff – like asking why there isn’t a ramp at corners (that need one).”

Customer service coordinator Pamela Ng, 66, who has lived in the Yuhua area for about a decade, said the estate has seen many upgrades over the years. These include the installation of rooftop solar panels, repainted blocks and expansion of walkways.

Madam Ng said she prefers being in a single-member constituency as she can get the undivided attention of her elected representative. “Ms Fu has done a good job here, and I’m not sure if things will change when we become part of a GRC.”

Over in Bukit Batok, where many flats were built in the 1980s and 1990s, residents have also seen many improvements in their estate. These include lift enhancement programmes and the installation of covered walkways and fitness corners.

A resident who wanted to be known only as Madam Kuok, 60, said she hopes more facilities and activities can continue to be rolled out for the elderly.

She pointed out that Bukit Batok Community Club is currently closed for major renovation, with activities temporarily relocated or held elsewhere.

Madam Kuok said: “I hope there can be more variety and timeslots for senior activities, so I can plan my schedule more flexibly.”

Start-up founder Andrew Vess, 36, said that he is still undecided about whether he would cast his vote for the ruling party or for the opposition.

“If an opposition party can come up with a sound idea of how to assure voters of job prospects, and the plan is reasonable and feasible, I will consider them,” said Mr Vess.

When asked what some issues she is facing in her day-to-day life are, Madam Cynthia Gomez, 66, who has lived in a three-room flat for the past 25 years in Clementi Avenue 2, said that the frequency of buses in her area could be better.

She also said healthcare costs are rising, and that more subsidies are needed to help unemployed people like her cope.

Some Jurong East-Bukit Batok voters said that while they value continuity, they are also curious about how the new electoral landscape will shape the contest.

A lifelong resident of Clementi who wanted to be known only as Mr Wong, a 39-year-old sales manager, said that while he has generally supported the PAP, he is open to hearing from the opposition.

“I know this area has always been strong for the PAP, but with the new boundaries, I want to see who steps up and what they offer,” he said.

“At the end of the day, it’s about what they can do for residents.”

 

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GE2025: Maximum spending limit in election campaign raised to $5 per voter​

This change is to account for inflation, the Elections Department said on March 27.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Gabrielle Chan
Mar 27, 2025

SINGAPORE - Candidates in the upcoming general election can spend a maximum of $5 for each registered voter, up from $4 previously.

This change is to account for inflation, the Elections Department (ELD) said on March 27. The last time the limit was revised was in 2015, said ELD.

Spending more than the maximum amount is against the law, the department added.

ELD said the President has also designated the GRCs where at least one of the candidates standing for election must be a person belonging to either the Malay community, or Indian or other minority communities.

The GRCs where at least one of the candidates in each group must be a person belonging to the Malay community are: Aljunied; Bishan-Toa Payoh; Chua Chu Kang; East Coast; Jalan Besar; Marine Parade-Braddell Heights; Marsiling-Yew Tee; Pasir Ris-Changi; Sembawang; Sengkang; and Tampines.

GRCs where at least one of the candidates in each group must be a person belonging to the Indian or other minority communities are: Ang Mo Kio; Holland-Bukit Timah; Jurong East-Bukit Batok; Nee Soon; Punggol; Tanjong Pagar; and West Coast-Jurong West.

 

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GE2025: S’poreans can check names from March 28 in voter rolls based on new electoral boundaries​

The checks can be done online, or physically at a community centre or club or a ServiceSG Centre.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Aqil Hamzah
Mar 27, 2025

SINGAPORE - From March 28, Singaporeans who are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election can check their names in the voter rolls, which have been updated based on the new electoral boundaries.

They can access the Registers of Electors either through the Elections Department (ELD) website by clicking on the “Voter Services” section, or logging in through Singpass and going to “My Profile”.

Those who cannot do so online can visit a community centre or club or a ServiceSG Centre, said ELD in a statement on March 27.

Singaporeans can also visit the ELD office by making an appointment online through its website or by calling 1800-225-5353.

The latest update to voter rolls includes transferring the relevant polling district or districts to the new electoral division, based on the recommendations by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC).

On March 11, the EBRC published its report - a key sign that the next general election is around the corner. A general election must be held by November 2025.

Singaporeans living overseas and are unable to verify their particulars online can go to a Singapore overseas mission that also serves as an overseas registration centre, of which there are 10, said ELD.

The missions are in: Beijing, Canberra, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo, and Washington DC.

Singaporeans whose names were removed from the voter rolls because they failed to vote in a past election can still apply to have their names restored, ELD said.

Under the law, Singaporeans will not be able to restore their names during the period between the Writ of Elections being issued, until after Nomination Day if the election is not contested or until after Polling Day, if there is a contest.

“They will consequently not be able to cast their vote at GE2025,” ELD said.

It added that overseas Singaporeans whose names are in the Registers of Electors can register to vote by post or in person at one of the ten overseas polling stations.

Registration can be done through the ELD website or physically at one of the 10 Singapore overseas missions.

To qualify, overseas Singaporeans would have needed to have resided in Singapore for an aggregate of at least 30 days within a 3-year period before the day they register to be an overseas voter.

Registration is open throughout the year but applications will not be processed from the third day after the election writ is issued, until after Nomination Day if the election is not contested or until after Polling Day if there is a contest.

“We encourage eligible overseas Singaporeans to register as overseas electors early if they wish to vote overseas at GE2025,” ELD said.

 

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​

The Health Ministry said that healthcare staff will continue to receive annual salary increments, which aim to keep salaries in pace with inflation.PHOTO: ST FILE

Lee Li Ying
Mar 27, 2025

SINGAPORE - Some 63,000 healthcare professionals in the public sector will get an increase of up to 7 per cent to their monthly base salaries from July 1, 2025.

Specifically, 37,000 allied healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and administrative, ancillary and support staff will get the maximum salary increase of up to 7 per cent. The last salary increase for this group healthcare professionals was in 2021.

Another group of 26,000 public healthcare nurses will also have their monthly base salaries bumped up, but the cap is at 4 per cent. The adjustments are on top of the Award for Nurses’ Grace, Excellence and Loyalty (Angel) scheme in launched in September 2024 to attract and encourage nurses to build a lifelong career in nursing.

“With these salary increases, which are over and above the annual increments, we will enable the public healthcare sector to better attract and retain staff,” said the Ministry of Health in a statement on March 27.

The ministry said that healthcare staff will continue to receive annual salary increments, which aim to keep salaries in pace with inflation. It added that healthcare workers are the driving force behind good care, and salary reviews are conducted regularly to ensure it remains competitive.

“Beyond remuneration, we will continue to review our manpower development initiatives and improve opportunities for our healthcare workers through job redesign and career development,” said MOH.

Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung had in January announced the pay increase for the 37,000 allied healthcare professionals, pharmacists, and administrative, ancillary and support staff.

In a statement, President of the Healthcare Services Employees’ Union (HSEU) K Thanaletchimi thanked the three public healthcare clusters for their close collaboration to improve the wages of our public healthcare workers.

Besides salary increases, other outcomes like increases in salary ranges, as well as improved medical, dental and hospitalisation benefits were also achieved.

“Our healthcare workers are dedicated in their care for us. By recognising their dedication with wages and benefits that are both fair and competitive, we are reinforcing our commitment to their well-being. These enhancements will enable Singapore to continue attracting and retaining top talent, while strengthening our public healthcare system for the future,” said Ms Thanaletchimi.

 

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GE2025: S’poreans can check names from March 28 in voter rolls based on new electoral boundaries​

The checks can be done online, or physically at a community centre or club or a ServiceSG Centre.ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG

Aqil Hamzah
Mar 27, 2025

SINGAPORE - From March 28, Singaporeans who are eligible to vote in the upcoming general election can check their names in the voter rolls, which have been updated based on the new electoral boundaries.

They can access the Registers of Electors either through the Elections Department (ELD) website by clicking on the “Voter Services” section, or logging in through Singpass and going to “My Profile”.

Those who cannot do so online can visit a community centre or club or a ServiceSG centre, said ELD in a statement on March 27.

Singaporeans can also visit the ELD office by making an appointment online through its website or by calling 1800-225-5353.

The latest update to voter rolls includes transferring the relevant polling district or districts to the new electoral division, based on the recommendations by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC).

On March 11, the EBRC published its report – a key sign that the next general election is around the corner. A general election must be held by November 2025.

Singaporeans living overseas and who are unable to verify their particulars online can go to a Singapore overseas mission that also serves as an overseas registration centre, of which there are 10, said ELD. The missions are in Beijing, Canberra, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, New York, San Francisco, Shanghai, Tokyo and Washington.

Singaporeans whose names were removed from the voter rolls because they failed to vote in a past election can still apply to have their names restored, ELD said.

Under the law, Singaporeans will not be able to restore their names during the period from the Writ of Election being issued until after Nomination Day if the election is not contested or until after Polling Day, if there is a contest.

“They will consequently not be able to cast their vote at GE2025,” ELD said.

It added that overseas Singaporeans whose names are in the Registers of Electors can register to vote by post or in person at one of the 10 overseas polling stations.

Registration can be done via the ELD website or physically at one of the 10 Singapore overseas missions.

To qualify to vote, overseas Singaporeans would need to have resided in Singapore for an aggregate of at least 30 days within a three-year period before the day they register to be an overseas voter.

Registration is open throughout the year but applications will not be processed from the third day after the Writ of Election is issued until after Nomination Day if the election is not contested or until after Polling Day if there is a contest.

“We encourage eligible overseas Singaporeans to register as overseas electors early if they wish to vote overseas at GE2025,” ELD said.

​

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi among PAP new faces spotted in Nee Soon GRC​

Law Minister K. Shanmugam (right) with Yishun residents at 607 Yishun Street 61 on March 27. Next to him is former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI

Deepanraj Ganesan
Mar 28, 2025

SINGAPORE – Former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi was spotted in Nee Soon GRC on March 27, the first time he has been seen in public since resigning from his seat in Parliament.

Dr Syed Harun, a 39-year-old psychiatrist, was seen with Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam and other Nee Soon GRC MPs during a visit to the former Northview Secondary School.

The school is now being used as a temporary prayer site while the Darul Makmur Mosque undergoes upgrading works.

Other PAP new faces spotted at the event included intellectual property lawyer Deryne Sim, 40, Ms Lee Hui Ying, 36, and Mr Jackson Lam, 40, who in February stepped down from his post as PAP branch chairman in Hougang SMC.

The pair have also been spotted at previous Nee Soon events in recent months.

On Feb 14, Dr Syed Harun and lawyer Raj Joshua Thomas resigned as Nominated MPs (NMPs).

It is the first time an NMP has quit before seeing out the full term. The two men were appointed NMPs in July 2023, and had about a year left on their 2½-year terms.

The timing of the pair’s resignation fuelled speculation that they might be fielded in the upcoming general election, which must be held by November.

In a Facebook post at the time, Dr Syed Harun, who is consultant psychiatrist and medical director at the Starfish Clinic of Psychiatry & Mental Wellness, put up his resignation letter in which he said it would be most appropriate that he resign as he intends to explore opportunities for political service.

On March 27, he was seen speaking to Mr Shanmugam and other Nee Soon GRC MPs Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Carrie Tan and Derrick Goh.

Mr Louis Ng, who is also a Nee Soon GRC MP, was not at the event.

Dr Syed Harun also stood next to Mr Shanmugam and Associate Professor Faishal when they spoke to reporters.

 

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Returning PSP leader Leong Mun Wai will bring his ‘forthright style’ to GE2025 campaign: Analysts​

Analysts expect the PSP campaign to run similarly to how secretary-general Leong Mun Wai and the party’s other NCMP Hazel Poa have engaged with the ruling PAP in Parliament.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG
Ng Wei Kai and Michelle Ng
Mar 28, 2025

SINGAPORE – Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai’s return as Progress Singapore Party secretary-general means the party is likely to adopt his forthright style in the coming hustings, said political observers.

Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan expects the PSP campaign to run similarly to how Mr Leong and the party’s other NCMP Hazel Poa have engaged with the ruling PAP in Parliament.

“It will be a combination of needling the PAP with strident rhetoric, pointed relentless questioning style of attack, engaging in obfuscation, and playing the underdog card,” he said.

Analysts noted that Mr Leong’s leadership style is likely to be more confrontational than that of Ms Poa – whom he is succeeding as party chief.

NUS political scientist Elvin Ong said: “Given what we know about their different styles in Parliament, we can probably expect Mr Leong to be more direct and blunt than Ms Poa.”

Associate Professor Chong Ja Ian, also from NUS, said Mr Leong will likely want to bring his “forthright style” to the PSP.

“It has won him respect in some quarters, even if some of that may be grudging,” Prof Chong said, adding that Mr Leong is more forward and vocal.

“This is especially in comparison to Ms Poa. This is a hallmark of Mr Leong, and I do not think that will change much.”

The PSP’s new central executive committee picked Mr Leong as party leader on March 26, just over a year after he resigned in February 2024 to take responsibility for receiving a correction directive under Singapore’s fake news laws for one of his social media posts.

He will now lead the PSP into the general election, which is widely expected by mid-year.

PSP's secretary-general Leong Mun Wai (right) and chairman Tan Cheng Bock greeting residents during the party's walkabout in Clementi Central on Feb 23.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
The party elected its top leadership body on March 20, with six new members out of 12.

Speaking to the media on March 26, Mr Leong said there will be little change as he and Ms Poa have always worked closely together, likening the leadership switch to a relay team passing the baton.

Associate Professor Tan said Ms Poa and Mr Leong should be seen as alternates to each other and that she was effectively standing in for him as secretary-general over the past year.

Mr Leong’s return as PSP chief signals that his standing in the party was not damaged by the circumstances in which he stood down, Prof Tan said, adding that the NCMP’s re-election shows its renewed confidence in his “folksy and combative style of political engagement” with the PAP.

Mr Leong stepping down over the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act order was a “strategic decision”, he added.

“It was to shield him, to some extent, and the party from the incessant attacks by the PAP over his erroneous conduct.”

A PSP volunteer who declined to be named said Mr Leong’s return to the top job was “not a total surprise”.

The volunteer said: “The party was in a state of wanting to be more ready for election and because of that, some cadres wanted him back.”

The party is further energised. I feel the pressure myself, as a volunteer – in a good way.”

A party member, who also declined to be named, said Mr Leong’s return was “perfect timing”, given that he has been walking the ground and understands it.

The member added that Mr Leong understands the party well and has raised national issues.

Mr Leong’s campaign could focus more on economic issues such as the cost of living, said Assistant Professor Ong.

Prof Tan said PSP will go “big and deep” on immigration in the upcoming election, as it is an issue that gained the party a lot of traction in its first parliamentary term.

On where the PSP could stand in the election, Prof Ong said the party could opt to stay out of Nee Soon GRC and Jurong Central SMC, which Red Dot United has staked a claim to.

Other single seats the party might not contest again are Kebun Baru, Marymount and Yio Chu Kang, given that they are in central Singapore, he said.

Another factor is that PSP might want to contest in fewer electoral districts this time around to concentrate its limited resources, unlike in the 2020 General Election, where it stretched itself and fielded 24 candidates in nine constituencies, he added.

These were West Coast, Chua Chu Kang, Tanjong Pagar and Nee Soon GRCs, along with Pioneer, Hong Kah North, Kebun Baru, Marymount and Yio Chu Kang SMCs.

Based on where its members have been seen so far, PSP is set to contest Chua Chu Kang GRC again, as well as the new West Coast-Jurong West GRC.

The party looks unlikely to contest in Nee Soon GRC. It remains unclear which single seats it will contest, and if it will send a team to Tanjong Pagar GRC.

 

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Forum: Campaign merchandise for upcoming polls more of a distraction​

UPDATED Mar 28, 2025, 05:00 AM

As the next general election draws near, it is important to recognise what truly matters to voters. While campaign merchandise such as plushies may be captivating, voters are more concerned with bread-and-butter issues such as the cost of living, healthcare, job security and housing affordability (GE2025: Competing plushies, giant banners – parties get creative in battle for hearts and minds, March 23).

Political parties should be mindful not to overemphasise gimmicks that serve as distractions. Instead of plush toys, they should be directing efforts towards presenting a clear agenda, outlining concrete policies and addressing pressing national concerns.

Elections are about the future of the country, not a popularity contest based on merchandise.

Perhaps these plushies would be better suited as collectibles for young children, rather than as possible tools to influence voters.

While they may generate temporary excitement, they do little to contribute to informed decision-making. Voters, young and old, deserve substantive engagement, not token gestures.

We need leaders who will bring meaningful policies to the table, not just campaign merchandise.

Gabriel Chia

Forum: Campaign merchandise for upcoming polls more of a distraction​

UPDATED Mar 28, 2025, 05:00 AM
As the next general election draws near, it is important to recognise what truly matters to voters. While campaign merchandise such as plushies may be captivating, voters are more concerned with bread-and-butter issues such as the cost of living, healthcare, job security and housing affordability (GE2025: Competing plushies, giant banners – parties get creative in battle for hearts and minds, March 23).
Political parties should be mindful not to overemphasise gimmicks that serve as distractions. Instead of plush toys, they should be directing efforts towards presenting a clear agenda, outlining concrete policies and addressing pressing national concerns.
Elections are about the future of the country, not a popularity contest based on merchandise.
Perhaps these plushies would be better suited as collectibles for young children, rather than as possible tools to influence voters.
While they may generate temporary excitement, they do little to contribute to informed decision-making. Voters, young and old, deserve substantive engagement, not token gestures.
We need leaders who will bring meaningful policies to the table, not just campaign merchandise.
Gabriel Chia

 

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Agency for Integrated Care chief steps down ahead of GE2025, ECDA CEO to take over​

Agency for Integrated Care chief Dinesh Vasu Dash is the latest senior officer to quit the government sector in recent weeks.PHOTO: ST FILE
Ng Wei Kai and Goh Yan Han
Mar 28, 2025

SINGAPORE – Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash will step down as chief executive at the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and will likely be fielded in the upcoming polls.

Mr Dinesh will hand over the reins to Mr Tan Chee Wee, who is now chief executive of the Early Childhood Development Agency, said AIC in a statement on March 28.

Mr Tan will take over on May 1. In the meantime, AIC deputy chief executive Noel Cheah will helm the agency.

Mr Dinesh’s last day was on March 27.

In its statement, AIC said Mr Dinesh had stepped down “to pursue other opportunities”. It also thanked him for his leadership and contributions.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, Mr Dinesh said: “My years in public service have been deeply meaningful and fulfilling. I hope to be able to continue serving and making a positive impact.”

AIC is a unit that falls under the Ministry of Health (MOH), and was set up to oversee and coordinate care services for seniors.


Mr Dinesh is the latest senior officer to quit the government sector in recent weeks, and the string of resignations has fuelled talk that the officers will be fielded in the general election, widely expected to be called in the next few months.

His resignation confirms an earlier report by The Straits Times that he would leave the service ahead of this year’s polls.

Mr Dinesh took over at the helm of AIC in 2023.

During his tenure, he drove key initiatives including supporting MOH’s Healthier SG and Age Well SG programmes, AIC said.

It added that he also strengthened partnerships within the community care sector, and expanded AIC’s role in healthcare policy formulation and implementation.

He also oversaw the integration of the Council for Third Age into AIC, reinforcing the agency’s leadership in Singapore’s community care landscape.

Before joining AIC, Mr Dinesh was director at the MOH crisis strategy and operations group during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He was also behind the push to vaccinate Singaporeans against the virus, for which he received the Public Service Star (Covid-19) award in 2024.

The special edition of the national award was given to those who led major efforts contributing significantly to managing the impact of the pandemic on Singapore.

Before joining MOH in 2020, Mr Dinesh spent more than 25 years in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and rose to the rank of brigadier-general.

He was commander of the 2nd People’s Defence Force, and led an SAF task force providing security during the 2018 summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Mr Dinesh’s resignation comes on the heels of that of three other senior civil servants, who quit the service on March 25.

They include Mr Jeffrey Siow, second permanent secretary at the Manpower and Trade and Industry ministries, and Mr Shawn Loh, who oversaw the last two budgets and was director of security and resilience programmes at the Finance Ministry.

The third is Smart Nation Strategy Office director Goh Hanyan, who is also director at the national artificial intelligence group for policy and strategy in the Digital Development and Information Ministry.

The Straits Times had earlier reported that Ms Jasmin Lau, deputy secretary for policy at MOH, and Mr Foo Cexiang, director for private and future mobility at the Transport Ministry, had also resigned.

Their last day at work will be some time in the next two weeks.

The civil service is a traditional PAP hunting ground for election candidates, and those who are selected usually resign from their jobs in the run up to the polls.

 

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Who are the six public service leaders to resign ahead of GE2025 so far?​

(Clockwise from top left) Mr Jeffrey Siow, Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Ms Jasmin Lau, Mr Shawn Loh, Ms Goh Hanyan and Mr Foo Cexiang.PHOTOS: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION, ST FILE, MINISTRY OF HEALTH, MDDI, FOO CEXIANG / LINKEDIN
Ng Wei Kai and Goh Yan Han
Mar 28, 2025

SINGAPORE – Six senior public servants have resigned in recent weeks following the release of Singapore’s new electoral boundaries on March 11.

With their last days slated between end March and early April, their resignations have fuelled speculation that they will join politics ahead of the next general election, which is expected by mid-year.

The Straits Times looks at who they are:

Permanent secretary Jeffrey Siow, 46​

Mr Jeffrey Siow has spent 24 years in the Government and has held various senior roles.PHOTO: PUBLIC SERVICE DIVISION
Mr Jeffrey Siow is second permanent secretary at the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI).

His resignation was announced on March 25, and his last day in service is April 2.

He has spent 24 years in the Government and has held various senior roles, including managing director of statutory board Enterprise Singapore and principal private secretary to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong when he was prime minister.

At MOM, he implemented policies on foreign manpower, workplace safety and health, and fair employment.


During his tenure, landmark legislation on workplace discrimination and fair workplace practices was introduced.

At MTI, he worked on strengthening Singapore’s economic growth, as well as its relations with key partners like Asean, the United States and China.

Mr Siow has also had stints at the transport, education and manpower ministries.

AIC CEO Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50​

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash has helmed AIC since 2023 – first as CEO-designate, before taking on the role officially in February 2024. PHOTO: ST FILE
Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, the chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), left the public service on March 27.

He has helmed AIC since 2023 – first as CEO-designate, before taking on the role officially in February 2024.

AIC is a unit that falls under the Ministry of Health (MOH), set up to oversee and coordinate care services for seniors.

Before joining AIC, Mr Dinesh was director of MOH’s crisis strategy and operations group during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He was also behind the push to vaccinate Singaporeans against the virus, for which he received the Public Service Star (Covid-19) award in 2024.

Before joining MOH in 2020, Mr Dinesh spent more than 25 years in the Singapore Armed Forces and rose to the rank of brigadier-general.

He was commander of the 2nd People’s Defence Force, and led an SAF taskforce providing security during the 2018 summit between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

MOH deputy secretary (policy) Jasmin Lau, 41​

Ms Jasmin Lau served in MOH from 2013 to 2019.PHOTO: MINISTRY OF HEALTH
Ms Jasmin Lau, 41, will leave the public service on March 31.

She served in MOH from 2013 to 2019, looking at healthcare finance and overseeing the development and regulation of medical and long-term care insurance in Singapore.

She returned to the ministry in November 2021 after a stint at the Economic Development Board (EDB).

Ms Lau oversees manpower, financing and regulatory measures in the healthcare system.

Other projects she has overseen at MOH include the Healthier SG White Paper in 2022, which places the focus on preventive care, rather than the traditional hospital-based approach to illness.

She was on the board of the Building and Construction Authority and is a member of the board of trustees for the Singapore Institute of Technology.

Her other stints were at the Public Service Division, MOM, Ministry of Finance (MOF) and EDB.

Budget director Shawn Loh, 38​

Mr Shawn Loh oversaw the last two budgets after joining MOF in June 2023.PHOTO: ST FILE
Mr Shawn Loh, 38, MOF’s director of security and resilience programmes, will leave the public service on April 6.

He oversaw the last two budgets after joining MOF in June 2023, and worked on programmes including the CDC and SG60 voucher schemes.

His team also supported the transformations within various ministries as well as developments like Kallang Alive, a masterplan covering the future of the precinct around the Sports Hub. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke about the masterplan during his maiden National Day Rally in 2024.

Before joining MOF, Mr Loh was EDB’s vice-president of Singapore businesses as well as industry manpower development.

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Smart Nation and AI policy director Goh Hanyan, 39​

Ms Goh Hanyan oversees Singapore’s Smart Nation and artificial intelligence (AI) activities.PHOTO: ST FILE
Ms Goh Hanyan, 39, who oversees Singapore’s Smart Nation and artificial intelligence (AI) activities, will leave the civil service on April 3.

She is concurrently a director in the Smart Nation Strategy Office and the national AI group for policy and strategy in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI).

Ms Goh was involved in shaping Singapore’s refreshed Smart Nation plan, known as Smart Nation 2.0, as well as the coordination and implementation of the Republic’s refreshed National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.

Before her stint at MDDI, she was working on economy and sustainability under the strategy group in the Prime Minister’s Office for just under four years.

She had previously spent about a decade at the EDB, which included a three-year stint in Washington, DC, in the US.

Private and future mobility transport director Foo Cexiang, 40​

Mr Foo Cexiang currently oversees private and future mobility at the Ministry of Transport.PHOTO: FOO CEXIANG / LINKEDIN
Mr Foo Cexiang’s last day is April 1. He currently oversees private and future mobility at the Transport Ministry (MOT), including electric vehicle policy, and has been in the service for more than a decade.

Previously, he was MOT’s director of futures and transformation.

He spoke at the 2022 climate change conference (COP27) about Singapore’s push to encourage public transport and drive to move towards an electric ecosystem.

Mr Foo started his career at JTC Corporation, and he has also had stints at the Ministry of Education looking at pre-school education and after-school care, as well as with the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Trade and Industry.

 

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‘I look forward to serving Fernvale, Jalan Kayu residents if PM sends me here’: Ng Chee Meng​

NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng (left) taking a wefie with residents at Sengkang West on March 28.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

Samuel Devaraj
Mar 28, 2025

SINGAPORE - Labour chief Ng Chee Meng said he is prepared to contest the Jalan Kayu single seat at the upcoming polls if Prime Minister Lawrence Wong decides to field him in the newly formed constituency.

Mr Ng, who is the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general, was spotted on the evening of March 28 visiting residents door-to-door at a Housing Board block in Sengkang West, which is in Jalan Kayu SMC.

Speaking to reporters at Block 457A Sengkang West, he said: “I’ve been going around the Fernvale-Jalan Kayu area and am very happy to see many residents.

“And they’ve been quite open to also share with me some of their aspirations, some of the impact of the municipal issues that is always quite common in a big estate like this.

“So, if PM Wong does send me here, I look forward to serving the residents of Fernvale and Jalan Kayu.”

With the latest boundary changes, the new Jalan Kayu single seat will have 29,565 electors after taking in parts of Ang Mo Kio GRC under Ms Ng Ling Ling, who oversees the Jalan Kayu ward, and Mr Gan Thiam Poh, who looks after Fernvale.

Mr Ng entered politics in 2015 and won his first electoral contest as part of a five-member PAP team in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

He was appointed Education Minister for Schools and Second Minister for Transport in 2016.

In 2018, he was elected NTUC chief, a position he held while he was Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office.

In the 2020 General Election, he led the PAP team in Sengkang GRC but was voted out after the ruling party lost to the opposition Workers’ Party.

He has continued to serve as labour chief in his role as NTUC secretary-general.

On March 28, Mr Ng said he is happy to be on the ground in Jalan Kayu and Fernvale, listening to the feedback from residents, and hearing their views on what can be improved.

He said: “If I’m indeed sent here, then I’ll be happy to serve the residents if I do manage to get their support.”

He added that he “deeply honours Ling Ling and Thiam Poh” for the good work they have done in the constituency.

He said: “Almost every resident in Fernvale and Jalan Kayu speaks very highly of them, and yes, if I’m sent here, I will look forward to tapping on their experience, and the good work that they’ve done.”

 

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$3m boost for Pro Bono SG and Criminal Legal Aid Scheme to support free legal help service​

Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong at the Pro Bono SG Awards 2025 on March 28. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Andrew Wong
Mar 28, 2025

SINGAPORE – Registered charity Pro Bono Sg will receive $3 million over the next two years to support its programmes, which include providing free legal assistance for those charged with certain non-capital offences.

Announcing this on March 28, Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong said the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) is committing the sum in support of Pro Bono Sg’s key initiatives, including the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme.

The scheme, which was set up as a ground-up initiative 40 years ago when it was privately funded by the Law Society of Singapore and goodwill donations, gives the needy in Singapore access to criminal legal assistance.

“We want to do our part to continue to institutionalise access to justice in a very firm way in Singapore, so that this remains a bedrock for our legal system,” Mr Tong said of the financial support.

Speaking at the Pro Bono Sg Awards 2025 dinner at the Fairmont Singapore, Minister Tong said pro bono work is essential to the proper functioning of Singapore’s legal system.

“It reinforces the fundamental values of justice and fairness, and it ensures that legal protections are accessible to everyone, and not just by a select few or privileged ones,” he said.

“By ensuring this access to justice and making sure it is a cornerstone pillar of our legal system, we will continue to be able to maintain and foster trust in this system,” said Mr Tong at the event attended by more than 350 volunteers, partners and donors.


Pro Bono Sg started as a department within the Law Society of Singapore and later became Law Society Pro Bono Services.

The charity raised close to $7 million in donations between April 2024 and February 2025, with more than half coming from government support and grants.

In his speech, Mr Tong noted that over the past year, Pro Bono Sg helped more than 15,000 individuals and social impact organisations.

These organisations include the Community Law Centres at Tian De Temple in Hougang, and Realm of Tranquility at Woodlands, which collectively provided legal support to around 1,500 people in 2024.

The other social impact organisations include the Transnational Family Care Centre at South Central Community Family Service Centre.

Pro Bono SG chairmen Dinesh Dhillon (left) and Second Minister for Law Edwin Tong at the Pro Bono SG Awards 2025 on March 28. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI
Pro Bono SG will also support the Migrant Workers’ Law Centre in Little India.

The centre is slated to open by the second quarter of 2025, said Mr Dinesh Dhillon, chairman of the charity.

Besides fund-raising activities, Pro Bono Sg over the past year also rallied and recruited 660 active volunteer lawyers, more than 230 law school undergraduates and 200 non-legal volunteers, including social service professionals.

These volunteers ensure that the help provided goes beyond legal assistance, said Mr Tong, who is also Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

“Many individuals and families who encounter legal problems, they might not start as a legal problem. Often we find ourselves going beyond providing legal aid and assistance,” the minister said, adding that support can include counselling and mental health interventions.

“Sometimes, help seekers who come to us require financial assistance. Very often, they require a stronger social support network,” said Mr Tong.

Apart from those in the legal services, volunteers from non-legal professions, including those who can help in areas such as interpretation, translation, training, client support and programme design, are also needed at Pro Bono SG.

A total of 140 awards were presented to supporters and volunteers at the event.

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Lawyer Muslim Albakri received the top volunteer award for his work with the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, where he is a committee member, and also for his work on the scheme’s training programme.

Aside from taking on pro bono cases, Mr Muslim also conducts merits testing for legal aid applicants.

“It really takes a village to achieve what we have done, and I am grateful for the network of lawyers and volunteers who are so committed to the cause,” said Mr Muslim. He added that Pro Bono SG’s work helps to bridge the inequality gap by providing access to legal services to the less-privileged in society.

Lawyer Imran Rahim was awarded the special recognition volunteer award for his work as chairman of Peguam, a Muslim-led organisation that provides pro bono legal services.

Through Peguam’s partnership with Pro Bono SG, Mr Imran and his team offer their expertise and mentorship to lawyers handling cases under the Muslim law.

“There are many, many people who need help but are not able to afford legal representation. A lot of these folk are facing serious and potentially life-changing challenges,” said Mr Imran.

“If we are able to offer some help during such dark times, then we should. It is something that we all would want if we were in their place.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

$1 Marketplace in Hougang draws residents eager to bag over $12 of groceries​

Residents collecting fruits and vegetables at the $1 Marketplace event in Ci Yuan Community Club in Hougang on March 29.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Chin Soo Fang
Mar 29, 2025

SINGAPORE – The start time for a $1 Marketplace in Hougang was 10am on March 29 but by 8am, a queue of about 300 people had already formed at Ci Yuan Community Club.

These early birds were among 1,000 residents who had pre-purchased a $1 ticket to be part of the event, entitling them to bag groceries worth about $12 to $13, with items such as cabbage, lettuce, oranges and lemons.

The produce was provided by the Hougang Village Merchants’ Association in support of the marketplace hosted by the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Citizens’ Consultative Committee and Ci Yuan CC management committee.

Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Darryl David, who turned up at about 9.30am and saw the long but orderly queues of mostly senior citizens, decided to start the event earlier.

“Don’t worry, don’t rush, take your time. And after you have taken everything, there are many other activities for you to check out here,” he told the participants who came with bags and supermarket trolleys.

Homemaker Koh Chai Hong, 70, who was among the earliest to queue, said: “I didn’t suffer any loss, it’s worth it. This is fun and I came early to mingle with the people in the queue since I’m bored at home.”

Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Darryl David (right) distributing fruits and vegetables to residents on March 29.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Ms Laxie Mary Sequeira, a 76-year-old retired insurance professional, said she was glad that, for $1, she could get something “fresh and substantial” as “every bit helps” to cope with the cost of living.

She took part to connect with fellow residents too. “Maybe I can get to know 50 people at this event today,” she quipped.

Retired insurance professional Laxie Mary Sequeira said she was glad she could get something “fresh and substantial” as “every bit helps” to cope with the cost of living.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
The $1 Marketplace is the first of three similar events, organised as part of SG60 activities to mark Singapore’s diamond jubilee in the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang area, to foster stronger connections, care and active contribution within the community.

Mr David said: “It’s not like you come and then we give you a pack and then you go off. We want to build that sense of community where people come down and participate and have something to look forward to.”

He added: “It’s an opportunity to unite the Ang Mo Kio-Hougang community, bringing together heartland merchants and residents to celebrate our collective strength and solidarity.”

On March 29, the marketplace also had an SG60 message board where one could leave messages of gratitude and support for heartland merchants.

The organisers also launched a stamp card initiative to encourage participation at monthly SG60 events, including Racial Harmony Day and National Day carnivals. Ang Mo Kio-Hougang residents who attend at least two events will receive a $60 NTUC voucher per household.

There is a stamp card initiative to encourage participation at monthly SG60 events, including Racial Harmony Day and National Day carnivals.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
Mr Francis Swee, president of Hougang Village Merchants’ Association, said the marketplace is one way to give back to regular customers of its more than 100 members.

“The items we have picked align with the ‘Heng Ong Huat’ prosperity slogan that we have in this area,” he added. “So we included ‘prosperous’ items like oranges, pineapple and cabbage.”

The association, which will organise a trade fair in Hougang Village with about 30 stalls for 19 days starting on April 26, is also planning to give about 1,000 vouchers to residents to spend at participating outlets in May.

The $1 Marketplace is the first of three similar events to foster stronger connections, care and active contribution within the community.ST PHOTO: TARYN NG
The next two $1 Marketplace sessions will take place on April 27 and June 22 at the same venue, with $1 vouchers on sale at the Ci Yuan CC.

On the upcoming $1 marketplaces, Mr David said the organisers are still engaging the partners on what to provide for the residents.

“In a way, it’s something the residents can look forward to with a sense of anticipation,” he added. “One certainty is that for $1, whatever you get will be much more than $1. The items must also have a practical use for the residents.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

GE2025: Battery firm director, COO of moving company introduced as new PAP faces in Sembawang GRC​

Mr Gabriel Lam (left), chief operating officer of moving company Shalom International Movers, and Mr Ng Shi Xuan, director of a battery company, were introduced as likely candidates in Sembawang GRC.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Syarafana Shafeeq
Mar 29, 2025

SINGAPORE – Two men were introduced as new faces for Sembawang GRC by Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on March 29 ahead of an upcoming general election.

Mr Gabriel Lam, chief operating officer of moving company Shalom International Movers, and Mr Ng Shi Xuan, director of battery company Powermark Battery and Hardware, were introduced by Mr Ong as likely candidates in the group representation constituency.

Mr Ong, who is the anchor minister for Sembawang GRC, attended the March 29 launch of a community initiative to help seniors in Bukit Canberra with Mr Lam and Mr Ng.

He said the two men are dynamic, enterprising, and very good people to join the volunteer force in the constituency and contribute to the community.

Referring to them as a “dynamic duo”, Mr Ong said both men are bosses of small and medium-sized enterprises that operate in competitive industries.

“They must create business opportunities, they must fight competition, win customers, take care of their workers,” he added.

Speaking at the event, Mr Ng, 35, said he has many ideas and is excited to get to know residents.

He served as the vice-chairman of the MacPherson Youth Network, and had been a grassroots volunteer in MacPherson for 10 years.

“In these 10 years, some of the skills I picked up include listening to residents’ concerns and acting on the various causes that they are passionate about, especially for young families and youth,” he told an audience of almost 1,000 seniors.

Mr Ng was a public servant and was last at trade agency Enterprise Singapore, helping Singapore companies to go overseas and grow their business. He left to continue the family business with his brother after their father died.

“I must admit that I do not know Sembawang very well. Hopefully, in the coming days, I can catch up quickly on that,” said Mr Ng, who grew up in Yishun Ring Road.

Mr Lam’s family moved to Sembawang in 1988, when the GRC was formed, though he is not a current resident. He has fond memories of catching m&d crabs at nearby parks, and attended primary school in Sembawang.

“Being new, I will have to tap the expertise of the team led by minister Ong to enrich the lives of our residents,” said Mr Lam, 42. He was previously spotted in Tampines GRC.

“In my professional life, people know me as a ‘mover of things’, as in I move things, but here in Sembawang, I want to move lives,” he said.

Mr Lam said that in the coming weeks, he will meet many Sembawang residents and get to know them.

“I hope to hear your stories and, together, see where I can add value to the team,” he added.

Mr Ong said that as both men do not live in and hence do not know much about the area, “we must help them understand Sembawang”.

He had said on March 23 that he expects to have more than one new face as part of a five-member team contesting the upcoming election.

He noted that new faces are expected as part of the PAP’s bid to regularly refresh its line-up with each election.

The other MPs currently in Sembawang GRC are Ms Poh Li San, Mr Vikram Nair, Ms Mariam Jaafar and Dr Lim Wee Kiak.

Health Minister Ong Ye Kung speaking at the launch of a programme to help seniors in Bukit Canberra on March 29.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG
The GRC is split into five divisions: Woodlands, Admiralty, Canberra, Sembawang Central and Sembawang West. Sembawang West will be carved out as a single-member constituency at the general election due by November, but widely expected to be held by mid-year.

Opposition parties National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Singapore Democratic Party have staked their claims in Sembawang GRC and Sembawang West SMC.

In the 2020 General Election, the PAP won Sembawang GRC with 67.29 per cent of the vote, beating the NSP, which garnered 32.71 per cent.

On March 29, a three-year initiative by OCBC that aims to benefit more than 180,000 seniors was rolled out at Bukit Canberra, an integrated sports and community hub.

The bank has pledged $2 million to support the programmes that will be run within the OCBC SeniorCare initiative, which includes funding home-based counselling sessions for underprivileged seniors.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Singapore People’s Party to contest Bishan-Toa Payoh, Potong Pasir in upcoming election​

(From left) SPP treasurer Williiamson Lee, secretary-general Steve Chia and party chairman Melvyn Chiu during a walkabout at Toa Payoh Palm Spring on March 29.ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

Samuel Devaraj
Mar 29, 2025

SINGAPORE - The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) will be returning to its familiar grounds of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Potong Pasir SMC in the upcoming general election.

Speaking to the media during a walkabout in Toa Payoh Lorong 4 on March 29, SPP secretary-general Steve Chia said the candidates the party intends to field in the two constituencies have been confirmed, but the party will be announcing them only after Parliament is dissolved.

He said: “As all of you know, we contested in Bishan-Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir in the last election and previous elections, too. So again, in this 2025 General Election, we are going back to contest in (these constituencies).

“And we hope to win back the hearts of the people in these two constituencies, and hopefully, win back a seat in Parliament, and this is what we hope to achieve.”

Mr Chia said that in the following weeks, the party will be doing a lot of groundwork and meeting and talking to residents. Its members will tell residents about the party’s manifesto and the issues that the party wants to raise in Parliament.

Members of the party, including party chairman Melvyn Chiu and treasurer Williiamson Lee, walked around various areas in Toa Payoh on the morning of March 29, and were seen speaking to shopkeepers and residents.

Founded in 1994, SPP has contested Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC at the last three general elections.

In the most recent one in 2020, an SPP team comprising Mr Chia, Mr Chiu, Mr Lee and Mr Osman Sulaiman garnered 32.77 per cent of the vote. They lost to their PAP opponents – Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mr Chee Hong Tat, Mr Chong Kee Hiong and Mr Saktiandi Supaat – who won 67.23 per cent of the vote.

Over in Potong Pasir, then SPP chairman Jose Raymond lost to incumbent Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin of the PAP, who won 60.67 per cent of the vote. Mr Raymond, who received 39.33 per cent, announced his retirement from politics later that year.

In the last six general elections, SPP has contested Potong Pasir four times. On the other two occasions, it ran in the constituency under the Singapore Democratic Alliance, a coalition of political parties in Singapore.

The constituency was a stronghold of former SPP secretary-general and veteran opposition politician Chiam See Tong, who is now 90. He was the MP for the area from 1984 to 2011.

Providing an update on Mr Chiam’s health, Mr Chia said he is “as good as he can be for his age” and the party wants to “claim back the legacy”.

Mr Chia said he has had discussions on avoiding a three-cornered fight in Potong Pasir with Mr Lim Tean, the secretary-general of opposition coalition People’s Alliance for Reform. Mr Lim also heads Peoples Voice, a party within the alliance.


Noting SPP’s history in the area, Mr Chia said: “We cannot let the people of Potong Pasir down… I have already spoken to them, telling them we are very firm in our (candidate) contesting in Potong Pasir.”

Mr Chiu said the party intends to tackle many bread-and-butter issues in 2025, with a focus on the rising cost of living.

He said: “During our walkabout, we have spoken to many residents, and a lot of them have said that they can do very little with $50 to $100. They bring $50 to the market, and they don’t go home with many groceries.

“So, cost of living is a big concern for them, and also the rise in rental prices – they are driving a lot of small businesses out.”

He said many shopkeepers the party has spoken to have said they are giving up their stalls because of rising rents, since it does not make sense to spend a full day in the shop and make little to no profit. Some have made losses.

He said these are the issues that the party intends to bring to Parliament, should its members get elected.