Labour chief Ng Chee Meng was seen at the Chill Lah Fernvale Family Carnival on 16 March, ahead of Singapore’s next general election.
According to a report by The Straits Times, his appearance in Fernvale, which is now part of the newly formed Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC), has led to speculation about his candidacy.
When asked whether he would contest in Jalan Kayu SMC or Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC), Ng declined to give a direct answer, saying, “You’ll find out, I’m sure, in good time. You’ll see what the Prime Minister decides.”
Jalan Kayu SMC was carved out of areas from Ang Mo Kio GRC by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, including those currently overseen by PAP MPs Ng Ling Ling and Gan Thiam Poh. The SMC was created following the latest electoral boundary review.
Ng was accompanied at the event by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the anchor minister for Ang Mo Kio GRC, and Gan, further fueling speculation about his potential candidacy in the area.
Ng’s Political History and Uncertainty Over His Next Contest
Ng entered politics in 2015 as part of the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) five-member team in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.
He served as Education Minister for Schools and Second Minister for Transport before becoming Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) in 2018. He also held a ministerial role in the Prime Minister’s Office.
In the 2020 General Election, Ng led the PAP team in Sengkang GRC but lost to the Workers’ Party (WP). After the defeat, he did not remain in the ward.
Instead, a new PAP team led by former MP Lam Pin Min took over Sengkang’s grassroots activities. This move has been interpreted as an indication that either Ng or the PAP saw little chance of reclaiming the constituency from WP.
For years, it remained uncertain where Ng would next contest. At one point, there was speculation that he might run in Jurong GRC after he attended a community event with Jurong MP Murali Pillai.
However, his recent appearances in Fernvale suggest that Jalan Kayu SMC or Ang Mo Kio GRC are now the more likely options.
Public Reactions and Criticism
Ng’s presence in Fernvale and the possibility of his return to Parliament have drawn criticism from some members of the public.
Online discussions, particularly in The Straits Times comments section, reflect scepticism about his potential candidacy.
Some commenters took issue with PAP’s practice of fielding previously defeated candidates in different constituencies.O
ne user wrote, “He got voted out, and will be voted out again. Trying to get him through the backdoor hahahaha.”
Another questioned the rationale behind Ng’s return, stating, “Being rejected means voters don’t want him. Still shift here, shift there—die die must let him enter. PAP bo lang liao?”
There were also remarks about how losing candidates often find their way back into Parliament through GRCs. “LHL will put him in GRC for a free ride back to Parliament. Actually not good yet still find a way to bring him back to politics. Speechless,” one commenter wrote.
Others criticised Ng’s reluctance to give a straight answer about his candidacy.
“Tired of such yes-men, very careful to protect themselves, can’t give a straight answer, see what the higher-up says… all these have no real leadership, no real heart for the people.”
Election Timeline and Political Implications
Singapore’s next general election must be held by November 2025, but it is widely expected to take place by mid-2025.
With the creation of Jalan Kayu SMC, speculation is mounting over whether the PAP will field Ng there or place him in Ang Mo Kio GRC.
If Ng contests Jalan Kayu SMC, he will have to compete in a single-seat battle, unlike in his previous GRC campaigns. However, if he is placed in Ang Mo Kio GRC, he could return to Parliament as part of a larger PAP team.
PAP has previously re-fielded losing candidates in different constituencies. Examples include Koh Poh Koon and Desmond Choo, who both lost in SMC contests before entering Parliament through GRCs.
For now, Ng’s electoral future remains uncertain.
His presence in Fernvale suggests PAP is preparing a path for his return, but whether voters will be receptive remains to be seen.
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