PAP announces replacement of Hougang and Aljunied branch leaders
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Incoming PAP branch chairmen (clockwise from top left) Marshall Lim, for Hougang; Adrian Ang, for Bedok Reservoir-Punggol; Daniel Liu, for Paya Lebar; and Faisal Abdul Aziz, for Kaki Bukit.
PHOTOS: PAP
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SINGAPORE – Lawyer Marshall Lim will replace Mr Jackson Lam as PAP branch chairman in Hougang SMC, switching the ruling party’s potential candidate in the opposition ward ahead of the general election.
The People’s Action Party also confirmed on its website on Feb 13 that three out of five of its branch chairs in Aljunied GRC would be replaced.
They are: Mr Kenny Sim, Mr Shamsul Kamar and Mr Victor Lye.
Along with Mr Lam, they will step down on Feb 17, the party said.
Mr Shamsul will be replaced by Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz,
Dr Adrian Ang, who is currently vice-chairman of Mr Lye’s ward, will replace him, the party said.
The PAP said: “Adrian, Daniel, Faisal and Marshall take over from the respective outgoing branch chairpersons Victor Lye, Kenny Sim, Shamsul Kamar and Jackson Lam, who will assist in overseeing the transition.
“The party would also like to thank outgoing branch chairpersons Victor, Kenny, Shamsul and Jackson for their service to the residents, as they continue to serve elsewhere in the party.”
Mr Lam, a business owner, had taken over from Mr Lee Hong Chuang, who contested in the previous two elections, on Oct 17, 2024.
His replacement, Mr Lim, is a litigator in private practice specialising in criminal law, with experience in both the public and private sectors, according to the PAP website.
In the public service, he served as a deputy public prosecutor in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, as well as assistant chief public defender in the Public Defender’s Office, it adds.
In a Facebook post on Feb 13, Mr Lim, who is a partner at law firm Martin & Partners, paid tribute to Mr Lam and added that he looks forward to interacting with residents.
Mr Shamsul and Mr Lye were fielded in the Workers’ Party-held group representation constituency in 2015 and 2020, while Mr Sim was appointed Paya Lebar branch chairman in August 2024.
This is the second set of changes of PAP branch leadership in Aljunied GRC in the last six months.
This means that excluding Ms Chan Hui Yuh, the party is set to field a new slate in Aljunied for the 2025 General Election (GE).
In August 2024, the PAP had announced that Mr Sim would replace lawyer Alex Yeo, who stood in the last election.
At the same time, it said trade unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo would replace banker Chua Eng Leong,
Mr Shamsul, a former educator, is being replaced by Dr Faisal, clinical director at dental group Nuffield Dental. Mr Shamsul has been the GRC’s Kaki Bukit branch chairman since 2015.
Dr Faisal was pictured next to Mr Shamsul at a Chinese New Year celebration in a photo posted on Facebook by the outgoing chairman on Feb 11.
Outgong Kaki Bukit branch chairman Shamsul Kamar (in blue sleeves) with his replacement, Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz (to his right), at a Chinese New Year celebration that Mr Shamsul posted about on Facebook on Feb 11.
PHOTO: SHAMSUL KAMAR
In a Facebook post on Feb 13, Mr Shamsul said he was “most delighted to welcome and hand over the chairmanship of PAP Kaki Bukit branch” to Dr Faisal.
He added that Dr Faisal was a key member of his team during GE2020.
In a separate post, Dr Faisal said: “For nearly a decade, I have had the privilege of serving Kaki Bukit, and I am truly humbled by the opportunity to contribute even more to our community.
“I look forward to meeting more residents, hearing your voices, and understanding your needs and concerns.”
Mr Sim, chief executive of IT reseller and distributor Serial Achieva, will step down as chairman of the Paya Lebar branch after taking over in August 2024.
He is being replaced by Mr Liu, managing director of urban planning consultancy Morrow Architects and Planners, who has been chairman of the Nee Soon East Citizens’ Consultative Committee since 2022.
Mr Liu is the son of Dr Liu Thai Ker, widely known as the architect of modern Singapore.
He has been volunteering in Nee Soon East since October 2014. He was pictured with the ward’s MP Louis Ng at a Chinese New Year event on Feb 9 and at a walkabout on Feb 8.
In social media posts on Feb 13, Mr Liu said: “When I was asked to step forward in politics, the decision was easy. For over a decade serving as a community volunteer, I was lucky to meet so many fellow Singaporeans who care deeply about shaping and improving our country’s future.”
He added: “Paya Lebar has a unique political history, and I know where the ground stands. My focus will be on the people who live here today. I’m here to listen, understand, and work for them to build a stronger, more connected Paya Lebar.”
Mr Liu added that he is eager to meet more residents over the coming weeks.
Mr Lye is being replaced by Dr Ang, a director at facility and environmental management company Chye Thiam Maintenance, at the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol branch.
Mr Lye, in a Facebook post on Feb 13, said that he was handing over his role with a “deep sense of gratitude and humility” after 13 years as chairman.
He added that Dr Ang has 12 years of experience as secretary of the PAP’s Toa Payoh West-Thomson branch.
Mr Lye said: “Over several months, he has walked the ground with me and met many residents. He will continue the PAP effort to wrest back Aljunied GRC.”
