GE2025: Josephine Teo continues to helm PAP’s Jalan Besar GRC slate

SINGAPORE - Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo will continue to helm the PAP team in Jalan Besar GRC to contest the 2025 General Election.

The four-member team will include political newcomer

Shawn Loh

, 38, former director of security and resilience programmes at the Ministry of Finance.

The upcoming election is taking place during SG60, a nationwide effort to celebrate the next chapter of Singapore’s growth after 60 years of independence in 2025.

But recent developments, including fears of a trade war following sweeping US tariffs and geopolitical uncertainties, show very clearly a change.

“The changes are profound… (and) it does impact the way we think about prioritising programmes for the residents in the area,” said Mrs Teo, adding that the team has a track record and a five-year masterplan for Jalan Besar.

Introducing the PAP slate at a press conference on April 16, Mrs Teo said Mr Loh has valuable experience in both the public and private sectors.

“I believe that he will be an excellent fit with the team here, and he comes with many years of experience, not just in the public sector, I think it is also his private sector experience that I value in particular,” she said. 

Mr Loh is currently the deputy group managing director of Commonwealth Capital Group, a Singapore-based investment company that focuses on the food and beverage industry.

In his previous public service roles, Mr Loh was vice-president of Singapore businesses and of industry manpower development at the Economic Development Board from 2021 to 2023, before joining the Finance Ministry as its director of security and resilience programmes.

Mrs Teo made her political debut in the 2006 General Election when she contested Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC as part of a five-member People’s Action Party team.

Following a walkover, she became the MP representing the Toa Payoh East ward of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

In 2020, Mrs Teo moved to contest

Jalan Besar GRC,

one of the oldest constituencies in Singapore, to help with the party’s renewal.

Along with Ms Denise Phua, Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah and Mr Heng Chee How, she contested against the Peoples Voice slate and won about 65 per cent of the vote.

Mrs Teo then became the MP overseeing the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng ward of Jalan Besar GRC.

Ms Phua, who is the incumbent MP for the Kampung Glam ward, said she will continue building a caring society for her ward as well as the constituency.

“Because we know the profile of our residents quite well, we have actually developed a number of local initiatives. For example, in Kreta Ayer, there is a whole series of what we call ‘plus programmes’ to help those who are in need, those who are disadvantaged – both young and old,” she said.

At the GRC-wide level, Ms Phua said the team has developed programmes such as the monthly “Give and Take” free markets that target low-income families in rental flats with children below 21 years old.

This is to ensure the GRC is inclusive and every resident is given an equal chance to thrive, she added.

Dr Wan Rizal, who took over the Kolam Ayer ward in 2020 from Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, told the media he was very happy “to have served alongside a dedicated and compassionate team” for the past four years.

The programmes launched in his ward to help residents are “rooted in dignity, care and sustainable long-term support”, something he said the community appreciates.

“We had also conducted a number of leadership and character-building programmes, which I feel gave our youth the platform to have a voice, be more confident, but most importantly, for them to give back to the community,” added Dr Wan Rizal. 

The April 16 event held at Whampoa Park saw Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How, 63, stepping down after serving as a Jalan Besar GRC MP for 24 years.

Mrs Teo thanked Mr Heng, who has been the MP in charge of the Whampoa ward of Jalan Besar GRC since 2001. 

He also served as mayor of the Central Singapore District between 2001 and 2006.

“It’s very difficult to find someone who is like Chee How, and I looked very hard. So when Shawn became available, I grabbed the opportunity,” said Mrs Teo, adding that Mr Loh has “very big shoes” to fill.

Mr Heng has handed the Whampoa baton to Mr Loh.

Speaking to the media, Mr Heng said that as he steps down, his wish is for his successor to continue the work and also have the heart and drive to serve the people.

“And I want to say that in Shawn, I think we have found the person,” he said.