GE2025: Who are the 32 new PAP candidates being fielded in the election?

SINGAPORE – Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on April 17 introduced all 32 new candidates the PAP will be fielding in the upcoming general election.

Speaking at the launch of the PAP manifesto, he said this is the largest number of new candidates the party has introduced in recent years.

Over a third of the slate is made up of women – more than the PAP has ever fielded before. A total of 24 candidates will be fielded in PAP-held constituencies, while eight will be headed for opposition-held ones.

Here are the candidates to be fielded in PAP-held constituencies:

1. Cai Yinzhou

A young social entrepreneur,

Mr Cai Yinzhou, 35, was previously MP Louis Ng’s legislative assistant.

PM Wong said Mr Cai will learn from Mr Ng how to advocate social causes.

2. Charlene Chen

Dr Charlene Chen, 43,

is an assistant professor of marketing at Nanyang Technological University and is passionate about working with young people, said PM Wong.

She has been introduced as part of the PAP’s Tampines GRC team.

3. Elysa Chen

Having spent many years in the social sector, Ms Elysa Chen cares deeply about uplifting children and young people, said PM Wong.

She was recently spotted at a Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC walkabout

with Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

4. Choo Pei Ling 

Dr Choo Pei Ling, 38, is a neuroscientist and Singapore Institute of Technology assistant professor who has been

introduced as part of the PAP’s Chua Chu Kang GRC team.

PM Wong described her as a dedicated community volunteer who will represent the many young families in Tengah and Choa Chu Kang well.

5. Dinesh Vasu Dash 

Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, 50,

was the chief executive of the Agency for Integrated Care.

He was also responsible for implementing Singapore’s national vaccination campaign, said PM Wong.

“He did an excellent job of it, and I’m sure he will do an equally good job for our residents,” the Prime Minister said.

6. Foo Cexiang 

A former director at the Ministry of Transport, Mr Foo Cexiang is now vice-president for port ecosystem development at port operator PSA Singapore.

The 40-year-old

has been seen in Punggol GRC.

He has a can-do spirit and passion to serve, said PM Wong.

7. Gho Sze Kee

Shipping lawyer Gho Sze Kee

has been a dedicated party activist for 13 years, said PM Wong.

He said that many were impressed by Ms Gho’s fighting spirit after she spoke at a party convention some years ago, and he had “no doubt” she would make a good MP.

8. Goh Hanyan

Ms Goh Hanyan was a director at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

Her father was a grassroots volunteer and her mother was a secondary school teacher. PM Wong said the spirit of service

runs deep in Ms Goh’s family

and the 39-year-old proudly carries that forward today.

She has been spotted in Nee Soon GRC.

9. Goh Pei Ming

Mr Goh Pei Ming

was formerly the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) chief of staff – joint staff. He is also a dedicated grassroots leader, said PM Wong.

He began serving as a grassroots volunteer 17 years ago, at the invitation of former MP Lee Yi Shyan.

Mr Goh has been spotted in East Coast GRC.

10. Hamid Razak

Dr Hamid Razak, 39,

is an orthopaedic surgeon. He has been introduced as part of the PAP’s West Coast-Jurong West GRC team.

Having volunteered in Jurong for 17 years, Dr Hamid would make a good MP for West Coast-Jurong West, said PM Wong.

11. Hazlina Abdul Halim 

Madam Hazlina Abdul Halim

was the chief executive of a non-governmental organisation and a former broadcast journalist.

She is passionate about uplifting vulnerable groups, said PM Wong.

She has been spotted in East Coast GRC.

12. David Hoe

Charity director David Hoe, 37, had a difficult time when he was growing up, but persevered with the support of his teachers and friends, said PM Wong.

He will be

fielded in Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

13. Gabriel Lam

Mr Gabriel Lam, 42,

is the chief operating officer of moving company Shalom International Movers. 

A firm believer in giving people second chances, he supports former offenders by helping them find new purpose, said PM Wong.

He has been spotted in Sembawang GRC.

14. Jackson Lam

Mr Jackson Lam, 40,

has been volunteering in Chong Pang grassroots organisations and has a heart for seniors and underprivileged youth.

He is expected to be fielded in Nee Soon GRC.

15. Jasmin Lau

Ms Jasmin Lau was formerly the deputy secretary of policy at the Ministry of Health.

The 42-year-old represented Singapore as part of the national netball team. 

PM Wong said sport has shaped Ms Lau’s belief about the importance of teamwork, and he is confident she will add to the PAP team.

She has been

spotted in Ang Mo Kio GRC.

16. Cassandra Lee

Ms Cassandra Lee, 33,

is a lawyer and long-time volunteer in Yuhua under Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu.

She will be fielded in West Coast-Jurong West GRC.

17. Lee Hui Ying

A volunteer in Nee Soon since she was 19,

civil servant Lee Hui Ying,

now 36, is good with people and gets along well with residents, said PM Wong.

He added that she will help the team build strong community bonds.

18. Valerie Lee

Young mother

Valerie Lee

is engineering firm Sembcorp’s head of corporate affairs for Singapore and South-east Asia.

Caring deeply for sustainability and the environment, Ms Lee will advance green initiatives and speak up for families, said PM Wong.

19. Shawn Loh

Mr Shawn Loh, 38,

worked with PM Wong on two Budgets while in the Ministry of Finance.

He is now the deputy group managing director of Singapore-based investment company Commonwealth Capital Group.

PM Wong said Mr Loh has a good heart and will make a positive difference.

20. David Neo

Mr David Neo, 47,

worked closely with PM Wong during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was one of the commanders in charge when the SAF stepped in to help with the coronavirus outbreak in migrant worker dormitories.

“I saw him up close in action. I know he will put his heart and soul in getting the mission achieved, no matter how difficult the task,” PM Wong said of the former army chief, adding that he would do the same for his residents.

21. Ng Shi Xuan

Mr Ng Shi Xuan, 35,

is the director of Powermark Battery and Hardware Trading and a youth volunteer.

He attended the same secondary school and junior college as PM Wong.

Mr Ng has been working with Mr Gabriel Lam in Sembawang, getting to know the residents there.

22. Diana Pang

A community leader for more than 20 years,

Ms Diana Pang

is a business development director and trained Pioneer Generation Ambassadors in the East Coast area.

The 51-year-old has also solemnised more than 350 marriages and will build strong community networks wherever she goes, said PM Wong.

23. Jeffrey Siow

Mr Jeffrey Siow,

46, is the former second permanent secretary at the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Manpower. He will be fielded in Chua Chu Kang GRC.

He retired on April 2 after more than two decades in public service, making him the most senior civil servant to step forward ahead of the coming election.

24. Syed Harun Alhabsyi 

A psychiatrist and advocate for mental health,

Dr Syed Harun Alhabsyi

 has a desire to give back to society.

The 39-year-old has been helping young Malay/Muslims as president of the Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday Memorial Scholarship Fund.

These candidates will be fielded in opposition-held constituencies:

1. Adrian Ang

Dr Adrian Ang,

42,

served as the PAP’s Toa Payoh Thomson Branch secretary for over 10 years and will be fielded in Aljunied GRC.

He is the director of group sustainability and new business at environmental cleaning firm Chye Thiam Maintenance.

PM Wong described him as a good, steady person with ground experience.

2. Elmie Nekmat

Associate Professor Elmie Nekmat,

43,

has been PAP branch chairman of Sengkang Central for the last four years, and also teaches communications and new media at the National University of Singapore. 

3. Faisal Abdul Aziz

Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz

is a dental surgeon and has been a community volunteer since he was in school. He has served in Kaki Bukit for 10 years and is well known to many volunteers and residents.

4. Bernadette Giam

Mrs Bernadette Giam

is the director of Creative Eateries, a local food and beverage company, where she leads strategic initiatives and business development. 

The 38-year-old has actively spoken up for small and medium-sized enterprises and on women’s issues. PM Wong said she will be an equally strong advocate for working parents and young people in Sengkang GRC.

5. Theodora Lai

Ms Theodora Lai, 39,

is director of business development at a venture capital firm.

She has built a network to connect and empower fellow young female leaders, said PM Wong, adding that Ms Lai has been continually walking the ground in Sengkang despite the arrival of her second child.

6. Marshall Lim 

Mr Marshall Lim, 38,

is a criminal lawyer and will be fielded in Hougang SMC. He has done pro bono legal work and served in the newly set up Public Defender’s Office.

7. Daniel Liu

Mr Daniel Liu

wants to create more opportunities so that all Singaporeans can achieve their own version of success – no matter their starting point, said PM Wong.

He has been volunteering with the PAP in Nee Soon GRC since 2014 and leads an urban planning and architectural firm.

8. Jagathishwaran Rajo

Mr Jagathishwaran Rajo, 38

, is a dedicated party activist who has served in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC and, later, Aljunied.

He is a long-time trade unionist and advocates for freelancers and self-employed people.

He is now executive secretary of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Staff Union and the Visual, Audio, Creative Content Professionals Association. He is also assistant director at the National Trades Union Congress’ Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit.