PAP new face Daniel Liu seen in Nee Soon; no guarantee he’ll be fielded there, says Shanmugam

SINGAPORE – People’s Action Party (PAP) new face Daniel Liu was seen at a walkabout in Nee Soon on Feb 15 – although this does not mean he will stand in the next general election, said the group representation constituency’s anchor minister K. Shanmugam.

Speaking to the media after the walkabout with other Nee Soon GRC MPs, Mr Shanmugam, who is Law and Home Affairs Minister, said Mr Liu is one of many volunteers and activists who are walking the ground.

Mr Shanmugam said: “Whether anyone is a candidate will be decided later, but they’re all on the ground in different places.

“Where they will stand if they are chosen is also to be decided – just because you see Daniel in Yishun doesn’t mean Daniel is going to stand in Yishun.”

On Feb 13, the PAP confirmed that

Mr Liu will take over as branch chair of Paya Lebar

in the opposition-held Aljunied GRC, a position usually held by the party’s candidates in the area.

Mr Liu, who is managing director of urban planning consultancy Morrow Architects and Planners, has been chairman of the Nee Soon East Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC) since 2022.

He is the son of Dr Liu Thai Ker, widely known as the architect of modern Singapore for his role in planning Housing Board estates.

Mr Shanmugam said he had sent Mr Liu to work with Nee Soon East MP Louis Ng, adding that Mr Liu could have been a candidate in earlier elections and has been volunteering in Nee Soon since 2014.

Mr Shanmugam said: “He could easily have stood earlier, but we always have more potential candidates than spaces.”

He added that Mr Liu’s appointment and presence on the ground does not mean he has been confirmed as a candidate for the coming general election, expected to be held by mid-2025.

He said: “The central executive committee will decide.”

Speaking to the media, Mr Liu said he was at the walkabout as a volunteer, and remained on the Nee Soon East CCC.