SINGAPORE – The People’s Action Party (PAP) announced on 22 April that Poh Li San will contest the newly created Sembawang West Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming General Election, where she will face a direct challenge from Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan.
At a press conference, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung confirmed he will lead PAP’s team for the five-member Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC). The team will feature two first-time candidates: Ng Shi Xuan, 35, and Gabriel Lam, 42.
Ong’s team will also include incumbent Members of Parliament Vikram Nair and Mariam Jaafar. Four-term MP Lim Wee Kiak, who was absent from the event, is not part of the team. Ong noted that Lim’s status remains uncertain due to the complexity of candidate deployments.
“We always need backup and contingency planning,” Ong said, when asked if Lim was retiring.
Poh stresses grassroots record as campaign begins
Poh, who has served as the Member of Parliament for Sembawang West ward under the GRC model, said she has established a strong connection with residents.
She highlighted her efforts on employment and job-related issues, both on the ground and in Parliament.
“I have implemented many changes in the community, and my residents know I have been working hard for them,” Poh said. She added that voters should weigh what each political party offers during this “critical period” for Singapore.
Referring to her opponent, Chee Soon Juan, Poh said: “My record speaks for itself. I’ll put up a good fight and leave it to the voters to decide on 3 May.”
Three-way fight expected in Sembawang GRC
While Sembawang West will see a one-on-one contest, Sembawang GRC is expected to be contested by three parties.
The SDP and the National Solidarity Party (NSP) have declared their intentions to challenge PAP’s team. In the 2020 General Election, PAP secured Sembawang GRC with 67.29 per cent of the vote against NSP.
Sembawang GRC has over 133,000 registered voters.
Earlier on 22 April, Ong introduced the full team in a social media video.
The clip ended with a group photo of the candidates dressed in white, captioned: “5 individuals, 1 team. A Sembawang for Everyone.”
He confirmed that this announcement would be PAP’s final slate reveal ahead of Nomination Day on 23 April.
However, the party has yet to announce its candidates in several key constituencies, including Queenstown and Radin Mas SMCs, and the East Coast, Tanjong Pagar, and Punggol GRCs.
Ng Shi Xuan, a former public servant and current director of a battery company, will take over the Canberra ward from Lim Wee Kiak. Ng has spent a decade as a grassroots volunteer in MacPherson.
He said he is particularly concerned about the health and mental wellbeing of young people. “I run a small business selling batteries, and I know the struggles,” he said. “Too much paperwork, too many rules. SMEs hire 70 per cent of our workforce. Cutting red tape is one way to take care of Singaporeans.”
Ng added that if elected, he will advocate for more government support in trialling business innovations and promoting electric vehicle adoption.
Gabriel Lam, chief operating officer of Shalom International Movers, expressed his desire to support families and those seeking second chances. He has been involved with Yellow Ribbon Singapore since 2011 and is a United Against Drugs Coalition ambassador.
“Second chances apply not just to ex-offenders, but also to those who’ve made difficult life choices,” said Lam.
Uncertainty remains over key PAP candidates
As of 3pm on 22 April, PAP had not confirmed candidates for several constituencies, most notably East Coast GRC, where Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat’s plans remain unclear.
Observers are closely watching whether Heng will stay, relocate, or retire.
Similarly, Punggol GRC has yet to see an announced anchor candidate.
Given its newly established status and the potential for an opposition contest, the PAP’s choice there is viewed as pivotal.
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