Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong unveiled the updated People’s Action Party (PAP) slate for Ang Mo Kio GRC on 19 April, with two new candidates joining the team ahead of the General Election on 3 May.
Former senior civil servant Jasmin Lau and long-time PAP grassroots figure Victor Lye will be fielded alongside returning Members of Parliament Darryl David and Nadia Samdin.
SM Lee, 73, will continue to anchor the team, as he has since first winning the Teck Ghee ward in 1984.
They will replace incumbent MPs Ng Ling Ling and Gan Thiam Poh, who will step down after years of service. SM Lee expressed gratitude for their contributions and dedication to residents.
Speaking at the PAP Teck Ghee branch, he said the PAP team has consistently spoken up on national issues in Parliament and worked closely with residents on the ground.
He cited achievements in estate upgrading, new parks, enhanced transport services, and the delivery of more efficient amenities.
SM Lee described the refreshed team as a blend of experience and new energy. “They will bring fresh ideas and energy to do good, alongside veterans like myself,” he said.
When asked if this would be his last election, SM Lee responded, “I do not know whether this is my last term, that’s up to the PM, but I will serve as long as I’m useful.”
The GRC, now the largest in Singapore with 161,235 electors following the carving out of the new Jalan Kayu SMC, will see a significantly reshaped contest.
The PAP team was seen together at Hougang Village—part of Ang Mo Kio GRC—on 13 April. SM Lee did not confirm the full slate at the time but expressed confidence in the new candidates.
Jasmin Lau, 42, formerly a deputy secretary in the Health Ministry, brings experience in healthcare policy, manpower, and finance.
She has also served in multiple government agencies including the Economic Development Board and sits on various NGO boards.
A former national netball player, she described the move from civil service to politics as akin to transitioning from netball to basketball—both demanding new skills, but built on strong foundations.
Victor Lye, 63, is the founder and CEO of an AI-driven asset management firm. He previously contested Aljunied GRC under the PAP banner in 2015 and 2020 but was not elected.
He stepped down earlier this year as chairman of the PAP Bedok Reservoir–Punggol branch, a position he held for 13 years.
At the briefing, Lye said he had served three terms on the ground, despite not being in Parliament. “We worked constantly to earn the trust of our people. Not just at election time, but right after every election,” he said.
He urged voters to consider the long-term impact of their choice, stating, “You may have one vote… If you do not use it well, the outcome is quite damaging for our future.”
The PAP team is expected to face a three-way contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC.
Both the Singapore United Party (SUP) and the People’s Power Party (PPP) have confirmed their intention to contest the constituency.
SUP secretary-general Andy Zhu, who contested Ang Mo Kio in 2020 under the Reform Party banner, is expected to return with a new team.
The PPP has also confirmed that it will field candidates in Ang Mo Kio, setting the stage for a potential three-cornered fight, as no agreement has been reached among opposition parties to avoid a multi-cornered contest.
In 2020, the PAP secured 71.9 per cent of valid votes in Ang Mo Kio GRC, defeating the Reform Party. The opposition team then polled 28.09 per cent of the vote.
Neighbouring Yio Chu Kang and Kebun Baru SMCs remain part of what SM Lee called the “Ang Mo Kio extended family,” sharing services and activities under one town council.
The newly formed Jalan Kayu SMC—comprising parts of Ms Ng’s Jalan Kayu ward and Mr Gan’s Fernvale ward—will be contested by NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng under the PAP banner.
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