The People’s Action Party (PAP) has announced its candidate line-up for Tampines GRC in the upcoming General Election 2025, with Masagos Zulkifli leading the refreshed five-member team.
Masagos, currently Minister for Social and Family Development, will be joined by two new faces in politics: former Chief of Army David Neo and Assistant Professor Charlene Chen.
They will run alongside Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon and Baey Yam Keng, both of whom are experienced parliamentarians.
The new slate was unveiled on 16 April 2025 at a multi-purpose hall in Tampines Street 62.
The changes come following a redrawing of electoral boundaries and the departure of former Members of Parliament.
Desmond Choo, previously an MP for Tampines North, will contest in the newly created Tampines Changkat Single Member Constituency (SMC), formed after boundary adjustments.
The adjustments also incorporated parts of Aljunied GRC into Tampines West, in response to significant population growth, according to the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee.
The committee cited Tampines GRC’s increase in residents, driven by housing developments and shifting demographics, as a reason for the new SMC and boundary revisions.
Another vacancy arose in Tampines GRC in July 2024, when former MP Cheng Li Hui resigned from both Parliament and the PAP following a personal matter involving then-Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin.
Masagos emphasised that sustainable living remains a key focus for the team, aligning with Tampines’ development as a modern, forward-thinking township.
“Anyone can build a town, but Tampines is a modern town. It can only be built by a caring community,” he said, adding that inclusion and care would remain central themes in their campaign.
David Neo, 47, brings a military background to the team, having served nearly three decades in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
He was the first commando to be appointed Chief of Army and held the rank of major-general until his resignation two months ago.
Neo led the Army 2040 transformation initiative, pushing for inter-service integration, technological modernisation, and updated operational doctrines.
He also oversaw the SAF’s return to large-scale training exercises post-pandemic and coordinated humanitarian missions such as aid to Gaza.
Reflecting on his journey, Neo shared a personal story: “I lost my mother when I was nine. My uncle and auntie raised me. Growing up, I didn’t have much, but I never felt lacking.”
Assistant Professor Charlene Chen, 43, is another new face joining the slate.
She teaches marketing at Nanyang Technological University and holds key academic and consulting roles at the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology.
Her academic credentials include a PhD and a master’s in clinical psychology from Columbia University, and a first-class honours degree from the National University of Singapore.
Beyond academia, Chen has been active in community work, particularly at Meet-The-People Sessions in PAP’s Buona Vista branch.
Now the second adviser to Tampines GRC grassroots organisations, she is also a mother of two young children.
She expressed a commitment to enhancing youth resilience and well-being.
Chen acknowledged scepticism from some residents due to her youthful appearance, but countered, “Leadership isn’t about how old you look. It’s about how deeply you listen.”
“It’s about understanding people’s lives and bringing energy, empathy, and ideas to make things better for everyone,” she added.
Tampines GRC set for possible four-way contest
Tampines GRC, which has 147,904 registered voters, remains a key battleground in the eastern region. The contest has grown more competitive following recent electoral boundary adjustments.
The Workers’ Party is expected to field a team in the GRC, having maintained a strong and growing presence on the ground for several years.
The party has regularly conducted walkabouts in the constituency, with prominent figures such as Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, and other WP MPs visiting key locations, including the Tampines Round Market and Tampines East.
Photo posted on Pritam Singh’s Facebook page on 3 November 2024
The GRC could potentially see a four-cornered fight, as the National Solidarity Party and the People’s Power Party have also expressed intentions to contest in the ward.
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