General Election 2025

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GE2025: Five questions to be answered on Nomination Day​

Yusof Ishak Secondary School is the nomination centre for East Coast, Pasir Ris-Changi, Punggol and Sengkang GRCs.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Hariz Baharudin
Apr 22, 2025

SINGAPORE – The ruling PAP is expected to face contests in all 97 seats, with 10 opposition parties likely to field candidates in every constituency when nomination proceedings close at noon on April 23.

Follow our live coverage on Nomination Day as the parties unveil their final line-ups for the May 3 General Election.

Here are five things to look out for:

1) Where will the political heavyweights be fielded?​

Back in 2020, something was clearly afoot at the St Anthony’s Canossian Primary School nomination centre, when the PAP team for East Coast GRC arrived without an anchor minister.

With the retirement of former frontbencher Lim Swee Say, there had been a question mark over who would lead the PAP team in the constituency.

The answer came later that morning when Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat was spotted at the nomination centre.

Five years on, surprises are expected on Nomination Day again, with the deployments of several political heavyweights still unclear.


This includes whether DPM Heng will continue to anchor East Coast GRC, be fielded in another constituency, or retire from politics.

It appears certain that Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong will move from Marine Parade GRC to East Coast GRC, which has absorbed his Joo Chiat ward.

He was introduced by Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman as the team’s leader in an April 19 visit to Bedok, although Mr Tong later said that “ministers are leaders of the GRC as a team”, and that DPM Heng is also a minister.

There is also a question mark over PAP’s deployment of Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean. He announced on April 21 that he will not be standing for re-election in the new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, but added that he was still “available to contribute”.

Asked if he would be moving to Punggol GRC, SM Teo requested for a “little bit of patience”, saying that “everything will be clear” by Nomination Day.

The slate in Tanjong Pagar GRC, anchored by Education Minister Chan Chun Sing, is up in the air after Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah’s surprise move to the new Pasir Ris-Changi GRC.

Then there is Senior Minister of State Janil Puthucheary, who currently serves in Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC. With the new Punggol GRC carved out for this election, there is a chance he could be tapped to anchor the team there.

While PAP teams in GRCs are typically led by a full minister, Dr Janil, as an incumbent and political office-holder, is one option to lead the team in Punggol.

On the WP side, there are similar uncertainties over where the party’s heavyweights could be fielded. The WP has kept its electoral cards close to its chest and not confirmed its line-up or which constituencies it will contest.

There has been chatter that party chief Pritam Singh could move out of Aljunied GRC to contest East Coast GRC. It is also unclear whether any of the other incumbent WP MPs in Aljunied – Ms Sylvia Lim, Mr Faisal Manap and Mr Gerald Giam – could be fielded elsewhere.

As for the party’s new faces, Senior Counsel Harpreet Singh Nehal has been spotted walking the ground in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC but could end up being fielded in East Coast GRC.

2) Which new faces will be on the PAP slate in East Coast and Punggol?​

The PAP has yet to unveil its line-up for five constituencies – East Coast, Punggol and Tanjong Pagar GRCs, and Radin Mas and Queenstown SMCs.

Potential PAP candidates have stepped up their ground efforts in these hotly contested constituencies.

In East Coast, new face Hazlina Abdul Halim looks set to take over the Siglap ward from Dr Maliki, who announced his retirement from politics on April 21.

(From left) PAP new faces Hazlina Abdul Halim and Goh Pei Ming with Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong, Ms Jessica Tan and Mr Tan Kiat How at Bedok Food Centre and Market on April 15.PHOTO: ST FILE
Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, the former chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care, was seen with East Coast GRC MPs at community events in the constituency soon after he resigned on March 28.

More recently, former brigadier-general Goh Pei Ming has been a regular presence on the ground with the incumbent East Coast GRC MPs.

Mr Goh has also been spotted in the new Punggol GRC, along with former Ministry of Transport director Foo Cexiang.

3) Where will the WP’s new faces be fielded?​

Of the 14 new faces introduced by WP so far, the opposition party has specified where only two would be fielded: technology start-up director Kenneth Tiong in Aljunied GRC, and town council senior property manager Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik in Sengkang GRC.

The party is being deliberate about how it unveils its deployment of candidates. In an April 20 press conference to introduce its final batch of new candidates, WP chief Pritam Singh requested that voters “understand how we have to determine what are the best prospects of success” for the party.

Workers’ Party chief Pritam Singh (third from left) and chairman Sylvia Lim (third from right) with new faces (from left) Eileen Chong, Siti Alia Abdul Rahim Mattar, Abdul Muhaimin Abdul Malik and Kenneth Tiong on April 17. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
While no official announcements have been made about where the rest of the WP candidates would be fielded, ground activity and GRC composition requirements offer some clues.

Mr Jimmy Tan, Mr Andre Low and Mr Jasper Kuan have been spotted in Tampines, while Dr Ong Lue Ping has been seen walking the ground in Punggol.

Mr Jackson Au has been pictured with the party’s Marine Parade team.

Political observers reckon that new face Paris V. Parameswari could be fielded in Punggol GRC, which requires one candidate who is Indian or from another minority community.

4) How many multi-cornered fights will there be?​

Since Singapore’s redrawn electoral boundaries were unveiled on March 11, political parties have wasted no time staking their claim on constituencies.

Based on party movements observed on the ground and statements made by politicians, at least four constituencies could see multi-cornered fights.

This includes a potential four-way contest in Tampines GRC involving the PAP, WP, National Solidarity Party and People’s Power Party.

Three-cornered fights are shaping up in Ang Mo Kio and Sembawang GRCs, as well as Potong Pasir SMC.

Many potential multi-cornered fights evolved into one-on-one duels with the PAP in past elections, as opposition parties coordinated to avoid vote-splitting.

This year, some opposition parties have already indicated they would pull back from certain areas following closed-door discussions, but it remains to be seen if others will follow suit.

5) Who else will bow out of politics?​

(From left) PAP veterans such as Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman and Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor have announced their retirement from politics in the lead-up to Nomination Day.PHOTOS: BRIAN TEO, BERITA HARIAN, ST FILE
Several PAP veterans have announced their retirement from politics in the lead-up to Nomination Day.

They include Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Dr Maliki, both of whom have served five terms since 2001.

Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor and two-term MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC Chong Kee Hiong have also announced their retirements.

A number of first-term MPs have stated they will not be standing for re-election. They include Chua Chu Kang GRC MP Don Wee and Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Ng Ling Ling

ST had reported that about 20 PAP MPs are likely to retire before the upcoming election. While some have said publicly they will retire, others have signalled or hinted strongly at it.

They include Sembawang GRC’s four-term MP Lim Wee Kiak, Dr Tan Wu Meng from Jurong GRC, and Ms Foo Mee Har from West Coast GRC.

Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How from Jalan Besar GRC and Mr Sitoh Yih Pin from Potong Pasir SMC were also vague about their next moves.

 

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‘I am stepping up – again’: Three-time WP candidate Yee Jenn Jong looks set to contest GE2025​

Three-time WP candidate Yee Jenn Jong contested in Marine Parade GRC in both the 2015 and 2020 elections.PHOTO: SCREENGRAB FROM THE WORKERS' PARTY/FACEBOOK
Wong Pei Ting
Apr 22, 2025

SINGAPORE – Three-time WP candidate Yee Jenn Jong looks set to contest in the 2025 General Election, along with three other former candidates.

In a WP video released on April 22, the day before Nomination Day, the former Non-Constituency MP said: “I am stepping up – again.”

The 60-year-old, who in 2021 said that he had “largely retired from active politics”, delivered the line towards the end of the 50-second video, which also featured the 14 new WP candidates introduced over the past week.

Besides Mr Yee, former candidates Kenneth Foo, 48, a deputy director at the Singapore Cancer Society; IT professional Nathaniel Koh, 41; and lawyer Fadli Fawzi, 44, also appeared in the video.

Mr Yee, Mr Koh and Mr Fadli contested Marine Parade GRC in the 2020 election, while Mr Foo was part of the WP’s East Coast GRC team.

In 2011, Mr Yee, an education entrepreneur, came up against PAP veteran Charles Chong in the former Joo Chiat SMC in a close fight. Mr Chong prevailed with 51.02 per cent of the vote, and Mr Yee was appointed an NCMP as the “best loser” in that election.

The Joo Chiat single seat became part of Marine Parade GRC during the 2015 polls, and the ward has been absorbed into East Coast GRC for the 2025 polls.

Mr Yee contested Marine Parade GRC in both the 2015 and 2020 elections.

Since 2020, he was spotted walking the ground in East Coast GRC, and later Punggol, amid speculation then that the area would be carved out from Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC as a new group representation constituency.

In February, The Straits Times spotted him leading a team walking the blocks in Punggol Place. Two from the group have since been announced as WP candidates for 2025 – Dr Ong Lue Ping, 47, a senior principal clinical psychologist, and Mr Sufyan Mikhail Putra, 33, a former associate director at Abdul Rahman Law Corporation.

Speculation is rife that Mr Yee could either lead a team to conquer new ground in Punggol GRC – as he has been doing for the past few months – or return to his old stomping ground of Joo Chiat, which is now part of East Coast GRC.

All eyes will be on where he stands, as the WP is expected to mount a fierce challenge in both of these constituencies.

It is still unclear at this point if more former candidates would join the WP’s slate.

WP chief Pritam Singh has been mum on the total number of constituencies the party will contest.

When candidate introductions began on April 17, he declined to reveal where the party will contest, saying “you will know what they are in good time”.

He also declined to say how many candidates it will field for the general election.

When the party’s four-day candidate introduction came to a close on April 20 with 14 new faces unveiled, Mr Singh left open the possibility of the WP fielding more new faces come Nomination Day, pointing to the need to prepare spare candidates.

 

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Prudent, responsible approach is crucial in uncertain times: PM Wong​

PM Lawrence Wong said the Government will always support, stand with and go all out to secure a bright future for Singaporeans.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Michelle Ng
Apr 23, 2025

SINGAPORE – The prudent and responsible approach that the Government has taken to managing public finances and cost pressures is especially crucial in these uncertain times, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on April 22.

In a video posted on his social media channels the night before Nomination Day, PM Wong said: “I will not gamble with your lives or your future.”

He said the Government will always support, stand with and go all out to secure a bright future for Singaporeans.

Singapore goes to the polls on May 3. With Nomination Day on April 23, that gives candidates the minimum nine days of campaigning before Cooling-off Day on May 2.

PM Wong cautioned Singaporeans that they will hear “many tempting proposals” in this election that may sound appealing, although not all are sound.

“If they weaken our public finances, the burden will fall on our children. If we mismanage the economy, investors will lose confidence and our incomes will suffer,” he said.

Singapore would then not have the resources to sustain permanent support schemes or even to provide temporary relief, he added.


In recent Budgets, the Government has rolled out extensive support measures to allay concerns over inflation and job security, among other things. These include vouchers to ease cost-of-living pressures, and a scheme to help those who have lost their jobs but are making efforts to bounce back.

PM Wong said he knows cost-of-living pressures are a real concern. Other countries feel them too, as they are caused by hot wars in Europe and the Middle East, along with global supply chain disruptions, tariffs and trade wars, he added.

A comprehensive support package was announced in February during Budget 2025, as the Government had foreseen some of these challenges earlier in the year, he said.

For instance, a typical family of four with two young children can receive around $5,000 in support this financial year.

Measures will be rolled out in the coming months, he said, including CDC vouchers in May, SG60 vouchers in July, Child LifeSG credits from July onwards, and U-Save rebates in July and October.

“So nearly every month, you can expect something,” he said.

PM Wong said the Government is monitoring the situation closely and will step up support if conditions worsen.

Beyond this year, the Government will continue the help for as long as it is needed, he said.

This can be done because the PAP Government has long managed the economy well – and will continue to do so – and Singapore’s public finances are healthy and strong, he added.

The Prime Minister also touched on how Singapore handles its public finances. Many other countries borrow heavily and pay interest on their loans, but Singapore does not, he said.

Instead, the Republic has reserves that are invested, and all Singaporeans benefit from the investment income generated, he said.

PM Wong said: “So at a time when other governments are looking for ways to trim spending or to cut benefits, we are able to deliver more support and enhance social safety nets for everyone.”

For example, Workfare for lower-wage workers has been enhanced and seniors get extra support, especially the Merdeka and Pioneer generations, he added.

The bulk of Singapore’s social spending – which is rising and is now the largest item in the budget, having overtaken defence spending – is on such permanent schemes, said PM Wong.

“That is how we provide real, sustained support to help every Singaporean with the cost of living and at every stage of life,” he said.

Ultimately, he added, the best way to manage cost pressures is to keep incomes rising faster than inflation.

This has been happening in Singapore, as real incomes for Singaporean households have gone up steadily over the years, he said. For this to continue, Singapore’s economy must keep growing, and the Government must manage it prudently and responsibly.

In a separate video posted earlier in the evening, PM Wong said that amid the current global climate – where it feels like “more walls are going up” and “countries are pulling back” – Singapore will stay open, bold and ready to work with the world.

For Singapore, as a small nation, its greatest strength is not its size but the fact that “we show up, not just for ourselves, but also for the world”, he said.

 

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GE2025: With family at his core, WP new face Jasper Kuan says he’s stepping up for the next generation​

Mr Jasper Kuan says family is at the centre of everything that he does, and has shaped his views of what Singapore can be.ST PHOTO: CHONG JUN LIANG

Kok Yufeng
Apr 23, 2025

SINGAPORE - Underneath an unassuming and genial manner, Mr Jasper Kuan has a fire in his belly.

Sitting down with The Straits Times for an interview on April 22, days after he was unveiled as a new WP candidate for the 2025 General Election, the 46-year-old would often break into a hearty laugh and stop mid-conversation to wave to passing residents, to whom he is a familiar face.

But get him started on issues close to his heart – be it education, social security or public transport – and the former teacher turned payments expert speaks with focus and zeal.

“I think there are people who are better qualified than me. People who are more eloquent than me. People who are better at policy. But my value is that I understand the pain that regular folk are feeling,” he said at the void deck of a Housing Board block in Hougang, where he has lived for a decade and been a WP volunteer for close to five years.

Mr Kuan – who has two sons aged 11 and eight, and a five-year-old daughter – said family is at the centre of everything that he does, and has shaped his views of what Singapore can be.

The son of a cabby and a stay-at-home mother, Mr Kuan said: “We had enough. We were happy.”

Things took a turn when he was in his late teens after his late father developed kidney failure and needed dialysis thrice a week. His late mother had throat cancer, which she battled for 20 years.

“She’s a fighter. But every time she fought and won, her quality of life dropped. You could see it. Towards the last five years of her life, she was on a drip, and she couldn’t eat or talk,” Mr Kuan recounted.

He and his older sister were hit hard – financially and in spirit. But they pulled through with help from relatives, and it was this episode that made him feel strongly about the need for a stronger social safety net.

“I always tell people, I think I’m a very resilient person. You hit me, I’ll stand up, and I’ll come back to fight. But do I want the next generation to go through that? Can we do something about it? We can. The Government can. And this is where we need to step up,” he added.

Mr Kuan said he hopes to see community touchpoints and networks such as family service centres and residents’ committees being put to better use.

He said he started volunteering at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) in Hougang as a case writer after the 2020 General Election, as he wanted to help residents. “To me, it was apolitical. MPS is very neutral. It is all for the residents.”

In 2021, he became secretariat assistant to incumbent Hougang MP Dennis Tan. He was subsequently Mr Tan’s legislative assistant before becoming a party member.

Mr Kuan also took a step down in his career as his grassroots work got heavier, moving from a director role at Mastercard to a senior manager post at Visa, where he is now the Asia-Pacific product lead for disputes solutions.

Mr Tan eventually asked him to be a WP candidate at the upcoming election – a request that he initially turned down, Mr Kuan said, declining to say when this took place.

“I have a very comfortable life. I love my job... And I love my kids. I didn’t want that to be shaken up,” Mr Kuan recalled.

It was a conversation with former WP chief Low Thia Khiang that changed his mind.


Mr Kuan said Mr Low had asked him if Singapore’s current system would provide a future that he wanted for his children, and if Mr Kuan could contribute to changing this trajectory.

“He said, if you do this, it is not just for your family... You are actually doing things for an entire generation.”

He said he connected with Mr Low as they are both former teachers. “My belief in leadership is very similar to his... What you teach your children to do, you have to do yourself. Servant leadership is very important to me.”

Before joining the finance sector in 2011, Mr Kuan had spent six years at Catholic High School, where he taught both mainstream and Gifted Education Programme classes.

But he felt disheartened by the Ministry of Education’s “Teach Less, Learn More” initiative, which Mr Kuan believes has led to an over-reliance among students on after-school tuition courses.

“I felt that I needed a change. The policies that came in were not really reflective of how I perceived education to be,” he added.

“I feel very strongly that we need a certain level of equity... At least so that the kids that don’t have the resources can move forward.”

He echoed the proposal in the WP’s 2025 election manifesto for an optional 10-year through-train programme that will allow students to progress from Primary 1 to Secondary 4 without taking the PSLE.

“The challenge is, can we find a way, not to totally remove it, but incrementally look at how we can re-prioritise.”

During his time at Mastercard and Visa, Mr Kuan played a key role in enabling credit and debit card payments for public transport systems across Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

He said his time in the corporate world has led him to believe that competition drives better outcomes. “If you have dominance for too long, innovation stops and everything gets stagnant,” he added.

In the same vein, Mr Kuan said it is why he decided to support the WP, even as the world is becoming more turbulent. “We always say in turbulent times, we want stability. That is true somewhat. But in turbulent times, you also don’t want stagnation.”

Over the past year, Mr Kuan has been seen walking the ground in the Tampines area.

He was coy when asked if he would like to stand there if given the choice, hewing to the party line that all will be known on Nomination Day on April 23.

Going outside the WP stronghold of Hougang, Mr Kuan said he was initially afraid of being rejected by residents. But he feels the ground has shifted.

“I think Singaporeans as a whole are becoming more aware of the need for a credible opposition,” he said. “It’s a good sign of a maturing democracy.”