GE2025: Tan See Leng moves out of Marine Parade to helm PAP team in Chua Chu Kang GRC

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SINGAPORE - In a surprise move, Manpower Minister Tan See Leng has moved from Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC to helm the PAP team in Chua Chu Kang GRC.

Dr Tan, 60, replaces Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong as the anchor for the four-member PAP team. DPM Gan has been redeployed to lead the PAP team in the new Punggol GRC against the WP.

Joining Dr Tan on the PAP slate are incumbent MP and lawyer Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, 44, and two first-time candidates: veteran former civil servant Jeffrey Siow, 46, and neuroscientist Choo Pei Ling, 38.

After an appearance at the PAP Mountbatten branch in the morning of April 23, Dr Tan later turned up at the Jurong Pioneer Junior College nomination centre – which suggested that he would be contesting Chua Chu Kang GRC.

He leads the PAP into battle against a PSP team comprising former Singapore Manufacturing Federation secretary-general Lawrence Pek, 55; technology lawyer Wendy Low, 48; PSP second vice-chairman and training consultant A’bas Kasmani, 71; and investment specialist S. Nallakaruppan, 60, who previously contested Nee Soon GRC in 2020.

In the last general election, the PAP secured Chua Chu Kang GRC with 58.64 per cent of the vote against the PSP.

Speaking to the crowd at Jurong Pioneer Junior College, Dr Tan thanked Chua Chu Kang residents for the opportunity to serve them.

“I will do my level best for each and every one of you,” he said.

PSP’s Ms Low told the crowd at the nomination centre that many residents have spent the past few years worrying about job losses.

“Your doors are closed, but we see you and we hear you,” she said. “But today, that door is open because we are here. We are your alternative, and we are your choice.”

Slates in two other constituencies were also confirmed at the nomination centre.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong leads the PAP team in Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, where he once again faces the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) in a straight fight.

The Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC slate remains unchanged from 2020 and comprises PM Wong, 52; Senior Minister of State for Defence and Manpower Zaqy Mohamad, 50; North West District Mayor Alex Yam, 43; and Ms Hany Soh, 37.

Addressing the residents of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, PM Wong said: “You know us well – we have walked this journey with you since the GRC was formed. Please vote for us again. We will do our best to improve your life.”

PM Wong asked voters to support PAP teams in constituencies across Singapore, adding that in a turbulent world, there is much at stake in the upcoming election.

“Your vote will determine your future and your children’s future,” he added.

SDP’s team comprises party organising secretary Jufri Salim, 41; theatre director Alec Tok, 60; Wake Up Singapore founder Ariffin Iskandar Sha Ali Akbar, 27; and Dr Gigene Wong, 59.

Mr Tok told the crowd that the SDP has contested in Marsiling-Yew Tee for three elections in a row, and called for residents to support them.

“We are ready. Ready to run your town council with the expertise that we have gained over the years, ready to carry your voices into Parliament, and ready to be a leading advocate for a more humane, more compassionate Singapore that is more fair,” he said.

In the 2020 election, the PAP won Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC with 63.18 per cent of the vote, outperforming its national average of 61.24 per cent.

There will be a contest in the newly carved-out Bukit Gombak SMC, with PAP’s Low Yen Ling, 50, facing veteran technologist Harish Pillay, 65, from the PSP.

Ms Low, who is Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry as well as Culture, Community and Youth, is an incumbent MP in Chua Chu Kang GRC.

Mr Pillay had contested Tanjong Pagar GRC under the PSP banner in the 2020 election.