GE2025: Former MOF director Shawn Loh spotted with Jalan Besar GRC MPs
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Mr Shawn Loh (right), with Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How (in blue), mingling with residents at the Mega Give and Take Market in Jalan Besar on April 6.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
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SINGAPORE – Mr Shawn Loh, a former director with the Ministry of Finance (MOF), was spotted in Jalan Besar on April 6, fuelling expectations that he is likely to be fielded as a candidate
Mr Loh, 38, was mingling with residents who were attending the area’s Mega Give and Take Market, which provides free groceries and school supplies to lower-income families.
He was seen at the event together with Jalan Besar GRC’s current MPs – Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How, Ms Denise Phua and Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah.
Mr Loh, who was director of security and resilience programmes at MOF
He was also the Budget director for 2024 and 2025, which were the first Budgets to include programmes from the Forward Singapore engagement exercise.
He joined MOF in June 2023, and worked on programmes including the CDC and SG60 voucher schemes.
Prior to joining the ministry, Mr Loh was the Economic Development Board’s vice-president of Singapore businesses as well as industry manpower development.
The event on April 6 was also held to launch Horizons @ Jalan Besar, a programme to nurture young leaders in community service.
Mrs Teo, who leads the PAP team in Jalan Besar GRC, told reporters that Mr Loh is a new volunteer joining the GRC under its Jobs Connect programme as he has “very rich experiences in both the private and public sectors”.
“He has done well, so I think he will bring all of his experience and energy to our team here and (we) look forward to his contributions,” said Mrs Teo, who was speaking to the media following the launch of the GRC’s new five-year masterplan on April 6.
Mr Loh said he can feel the energy of Jalan Besar, both at the Give and Take Market and at the announcement of the new five-year masterplan, and told the media he is “looking forward to contributing wherever I can”.
Another new face spotted at the event was Mr David Hoe, director of philanthropy at The Majurity Trust.
Mr Hoe is district counsellor for the Central Singapore Community Development Council, which Jalan Besar comes under. He was involved in the pilot for Horizons @ Jalan Besar, which in December 2024 took 19 young leaders to Vietnam for a learning experience.
On April 5, Mr Hoe was spotted at the launch of Jurong-Clementi Town Council’s (JRTC) five-year masterplan.
He joined JRTC as a volunteer alongside long-time grassroots volunteer Cassandra Lee, a sign that both of them are likely to be fielded in the new Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.
Former Finance Ministry director Shawn Loh (left) and Mr David Hoe, director of philanthropy at The Majurity Trust, at the Give and Take Market in Jalan Besar on April 6.
ST PHOTO: JASON QUAH
Mr Lim Kay Yong, a member of the leading committee team for Horizons, said the programme has nurtured socially responsible leaders by grounding youth in values-driven community service projects, and empowering them to lead with empathy and create positive change in Singapore.
A past participant of the programme, Ms Valencia Tan, 20, said: “The opportunity to serve and learn abroad broadened my perspective and inspired me to continue making a positive impact back home.”
