GE2025: PAP new faces Kawal Pal Singh, Elysa Chen spotted in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC

SINGAPORE - Two potential candidates for the PAP in the upcoming general election were spotted during a walkabout in Toa Payoh on April 13.

Mr Kawal Pal Singh, managing partner at law firm Tito Isaac & Co, and Ms Elysa Chen, executive director of charity CampusImpact, were seen speaking to residents at Toa Payoh West Market and Food Centre, alongside Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat, one of four incumbents at Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Chee said Ms Chen used to serve in Punggol as a volunteer, while Mr Singh, who is the nephew of former PAP MP Inderjit Singh, was a volunteer in Sengkang.

Mr Chee said: “I am very happy to see younger people like themselves, they are both 41 this year, stepping forward to serve.

“They have the passion to serve, their hearts are in the right place, and they want to do something to give back to society.”

Asked if Mr Singh and Ms Chen would be running in the 2025 General Election in Bishan-Toa Payoh, he said this would be confirmed during Nomination Day.

Apart from Mr Chee, the other MPs in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC are Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Chong Kee Hiong.

In the 2020 election, the PAP slate won 67.23 per cent of the vote against a team from the Singapore People’s Party (SPP).

During a walkabout on March 29, SPP said it will return to contest Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC at the upcoming election.

Asked what prompted the move to Bishan-Toa Payoh from Sengkang, where he had served for the past 4½ years with Dr Lam Pin Min, Mr Singh said: “I am a Singaporean. I am happy to serve wherever there is a required need, and if there is a need for me to serve here or anywhere else, I will be more than happy to do so.”

Mr Singh said his story is one of hope – he was an EM3 stream, Normal (Technical) and Institute of Technical Education student before becoming a lawyer.

“So, most would say it is a very unconventional way to become a lawyer. I would say, I bring hope, I bring perseverance, and using these values, I hope to serve wherever I can, given the opportunity.”

Reflecting on her experience meeting residents in Toa Payoh, Ms Chen said it was wonderful seeing the vibrant spirit of the elderly, who are still very active and engaged in the community.

Ms Chen was formerly a journalist at The New Paper and a junior college teacher.

In her current role, she said, besides working with young people, she also works with parents and brings together community resources so that young people can get the support they need to further their education, have the opportunities to broaden their strengths, and develop holistically.

“So, I think one area that I have experience in is bringing together community resources, community partnerships, to see young people and their families thrive,” she added.

If Mr Singh and Ms Chen were to run in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC at the election, this could mean that one of the two Cabinet ministers in the GRC – Dr Ng or Mr Chee – would not be fielded in the constituency, as one of the four candidates has to be Malay.

Asked about this, Mr Chee said: “We will wait for PM and the party to announce more details later, at the appropriate time.”

He said he hopes to remain in Bishan-Toa Payoh, where he has served for the past 10 years, and built bonds with the residents.