SINGAPORE: Grace Fu, Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, will lead the People’s Action Party (PAP) team contesting the newly formed Jurong East-Bukit Batok Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the upcoming general election.
The announcement was made on 14 April 2025 at the Jurong-Clementi Town Council’s office.
Joining Fu on the five-member team are two new faces to the constituency: David Hoe, director of philanthropy at The Majurity Trust, and Lee Hong Chuang, a former PAP candidate in Hougang.
Also in the line-up are Rahayu Mahzam, Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information, who currently serves as a Jurong GRC MP, and Murali Pillai, Minister of State for Transport and Law, who presently represents Bukit Batok SMC.
This contest marks Fu’s return to a GRC after more than a decade of serving in Yuhua Single Member Constituency (SMC). She previously held a seat in Jurong GRC from 2006 to 2011.
Fu remains the only full Cabinet minister currently serving in a single-member ward. Speaking on Monday, she emphasised the team’s familiarity with grassroots work.
“While every member on the PAP slate is a ‘new candidate’ in the reconfigured GRC, we are not new to community service or political involvement,” she said.
David Hoe, 37, brings a strong background in youth engagement. As director at The Majurity Trust, he has spearheaded various initiatives for young Singaporeans.
He also served on the National Youth Council for five years and is currently a district councillor with the Central Singapore CDC.
Hoe was previously introduced to residents at the launch of the town council’s five-year master plan (2026–2030) earlier this month. He shared his motivation to give back during Monday’s press conference.
“I’m where I am today not because of my own efforts alone, but because many have graciously created opportunities for me,” said Hoe. “And this is why I strive to pay it forward by creating opportunities for many others.”
Lee’s westward move mirrors Victor Lye’s potential shift to Ang Mo Kio after two defeats in Aljunied GRC
Lee Hong Chuang, 55, contested Hougang SMC in both 2015 and 2020 against the Workers’ Party (WP).
The seat has remained in WP hands since 1991. Lee stepped down as branch chairperson of PAP’s Hougang division in October 2023.
“The western region of Singapore is not new to me. I grew up in the west. After getting married, I continued to live there during my younger days,” said Lee, who is also a former national gymnast.
Lee’s move westward follows a pattern seen with other PAP candidates.
Former Aljunied GRC contender Victor Lye was recently seen accompanying Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong during a walkabout in Ang Mo Kio GRC on 13 April.
While SM Lee has not confirmed the final candidate list for the area, Lye’s presence has sparked speculation about a potential campaign in Ang Mo Kio, where alignment with a high-profile PAP figure could improve electoral chances.
Lye, 63, previously ran in Aljunied GRC in 2015 and 2020 but was defeated by the WP team. He served as chairman of PAP’s Bedok Reservoir-Punggol branch for 13 years, stepping down in February this year.
The newly drawn Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC comprises parts of Bukit Batok and Yuhua SMCs, sections of Hong Kah North SMC, and areas from the existing Jurong GRC.
The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee announced the changes earlier this year, with the GRC now housing 142,510 voters.
In response to the restructuring, a new Jurong Central SMC has also been carved out to maintain a balanced MP-to-voter ratio.
Opposition party Red Dot United has already signalled its intention to contest the new GRC, adding a competitive edge to the upcoming polls.
Jurong GRC has long been a PAP stronghold.
In the 2015 general election, it was the party’s best-performing GRC, with 79.29 per cent of votes. That strong showing continued in 2020, when it achieved 74.61 per cent.
The GRC was previously anchored by former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who vacated his parliamentary seat in 2023 to successfully run for the presidency.
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