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[SINGAPORE] Five years after his defeat at the last general election, labour chief Ng Chee Meng is set to make his political comeback in the new Jalan Kayu single member constituency (SMC).

“Some have asked me: ‘Why return to politics after the last election?’ My answer is a simple one – because I never stopped caring,” said the 56-year-old former Cabinet minister on Saturday (Apr 19) morning at the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Teck Ghee branch.

Jalan Kayu SMC was carved out of the previous Ang Mo Kio GRC, which remains with five seats after the electoral boundaries were redrawn.

Back in 2020, Ng led the PAP’s four-member team in Sengkang GRC. They ended up losing to the Workers’ Party team – which comprised leader He Ting Ru and first-time candidates Associate Professor Jamus Lim, Louis Chua, and Raeesah Khan – which won with 52.13 per cent of the votes.

“If given the opportunity to represent Jalan Kayu, I will do my best to improve the lives of residents,” said Ng, citing examples such as better transport connectivity and more accessible sports facilities. 

“I humbly ask for your trust to walk this journey with you, your hopes, your ideas, even your struggles,” he said. “Let us build a Jalan Kayu SMC that is kinder, stronger and more inclusive.”

At the press conference, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong – the anchor minister for Ang Mo Kio GRC – said that while Ng did not get elected in 2020, he “had the grit and sense of responsibility” to continue serving as the National Trades Union Congress’ (NTUC) secretary-general, and received the support of the labour movement. 

SM Lee added that Ng led NTUC to play a “key role” during the Covid-19 pandemic, working closely with the government to roll out initiatives such as a self-employed persons income relief scheme that helped many gig workers, and the company training committees that supported businesses with transformation.

“This made a big difference to our workers’ lives and helped us to bounce back stronger after Covid,” said SM Lee. “Chee Meng has shown his mettle and will serve Jalan Kayu residents with equal commitment and dedication.”

New-look Ang Mo Kio team

At the media briefing, SM Lee also introduced two new members of the Ang Mo Kio GRC team, along with incumbents Nadia Samdin and Darryl David.

They are Jasmin Lau, a former deputy secretary of policy at the Ministry of Health; and Victor Lye, the former PAP branch chairman of the Bedok Reservoir-Punggol ward.

The 63-year-old Lye is no stranger to politics, having lost his last two elections in Aljunied GRC, which has been held by the Workers’ Party since 2011.

The other two incumbents Gan Thiam Poh and Ng Ling Ling, who were also present at the session, both announced that they will not seek re-election. Gan is a three-term MP who was first elected in 2011, while Ng has completed one term after entering politics in 2020.

Separately, Henry Kwek and Yip Hon Weng, the incumbents at Kebun Bahru and Yio Chu Kang SMCs respectively, will defend those same wards. 

Diverse experience

With close to two decades in the public service, Lau has worked on policies in healthcare, manpower and finance. 

“I’ve had the privilege to engage many member stakeholders from around the world, look at the big picture, and then put these together to make sound policy positions,” she said. 

She pledged to bring her experiences in policymaking into the “new court of politics”. “I believe that as I hone my skills, I will be able to serve Singaporeans effectively.”

“Singapore will go through many tough times… but I believe that the Singapore that we have will stand together stronger with mutual respect, mutual reliance and mutual gratitude,” she added.

As for Lye, he believes that his background in the grassroots and the private sector will allow him to effectively serve Singaporeans.

While he did not succeed in his previous two election bids, those experiences still allowed him to connect with residents, he said.

“In essence, I have served three terms – but not in Parliament – leading the Aljunied team,” he said.

As the external environment becomes more uncertain, Lye urged voters to choose “honest, competent and trusted leaders”.

Ang Mo Kio GRC, a PAP stronghold helmed by SM Lee since 1991, is set to face a three-cornered fight. The Singapore United Party (SUP) and People’s Power Party (PPP) have both indicated their intention to field teams to face the ruling party.

SUP will field a team comprising secretary-general Andy Zhu; chairman Ridhuan Chandran; treasurer Noraini Yunus; flight attendant Nigel Ng; and businessman Vincent Ng. 

PPP, led by Goh Meng Seng, will field a team including treasurer William Lim. The remaining four candidates have not been revealed by the party yet.

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