The People’s Action Party (PAP) has announced that Indranee Rajah will helm its four-member team contesting the newly created Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, following the retirement of Teo Chee Hean from electoral politics after nearly three decades.
The announcement was made on 21 April 2025, with PAP confirming that Teo, who has anchored Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC since the last election, will not be standing in the upcoming contest.
Teo Chee Hean steps down after 28 years
Teo expressed gratitude to residents and volunteers, calling his time in Pasir Ris “a privilege and an honour”.
Though stepping down from contesting, he stated that he remains “available to contribute” in any capacity the party deems suitable.
“I would like to thank all our residents, all our volunteers, all our partners in Pasir Ris for your kindness, your friendship and your support for the past 28 years,” said Teo during the announcement.
He also voiced confidence in the new team, urging residents to support them.
Indranee Rajah makes unexpected shift from Tanjong Pagar to lead new GRC team
Indranee, previously Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC for 14 years, currently serves as Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and holds dual roles as Second Minister for Finance and National Development.
At the press briefing, she described her transition as “poignant yet exciting”, expressing appreciation for her time in Tanjong Pagar but readiness for a new challenge in Pasir Ris-Changi.
She outlined three priorities if elected: cost of living, family support, and infrastructure development.
“I am already involved in addressing cost of living issues at the national level… I would like to do more of this at the local level,” she stated.
Valerie Lee joins PAP’s Pasir Ris-Changi team
Joining Indranee on the slate is Desmond Tan, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, and Sharael Taha, a former Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol.
The fourth candidate is Valerie Lee, 39, who is making her electoral debut.
Lee is currently head of corporate affairs for Singapore and Southeast Asia at Sembcorp Industries.
She previously held leadership roles at Singtel and SP Group and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2023.
Lee is also an active community volunteer and former chairman of The Frontier Community Club Management Committee.
She spoke openly at the press event about her personal journey, including two miscarriages, and expressed a desire to represent families and individuals navigating similar experiences.
“This experience has really grown me in ways I didn’t expect… it made me more determined to be a voice for those who often feel unheard,” Lee said. She emphasised her belief in ground-up ideas: “The best ideas don’t come from the top, but from Singaporeans themselves.”
SDA to contest in Pasir Ris-Changi
The Pasir Ris-Changi GRC was created following the March 2025 report from the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee.
It merges remaining districts from the dissolved Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC with sections of East Coast GRC, including Loyang and Flora estates, as well as Pulau Ubin and Pulau Tekong.
This new constituency will serve 100,639 voters. Of these, 12,871 are from the East Coast wards now included in the new formation.
The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has earlier confirmed it will contest Pasir Ris-Changi, with chairman Desmond Lim stating that the party will focus its resources there.
SDA has consistently contested the Pasir Ris-Punggol area since 2006 but has not secured a seat.
In the 2020 General Election, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC saw a three-cornered fight between PAP, SDA, and People’s Voice (PV).
PAP emerged victorious with 64.16 per cent of the vote. PV failed to retain its election deposit due to a poor showing.
This year, the People’s Alliance for Reform, which includes PV, has not included Pasir Ris-Changi among the seven constituencies it plans to contest.
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