GE2025: PAP does not give up any constituency, says SM Teo at Aljunied GRC walkabout (2025)

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SINGAPORE - The PAP has fielded candidates in all constituencies across Singapore to make sure that every voter has a choice, said Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean on April 25 at a walkabout in Aljunied GRC.

To this end, the party has sent a young, strong team to the constituency, he added.

The minister, who will not be contesting in the 2025 General Election, was with the PAP team for a walkabout in the WP-held constituency at the Bedok 538 Market and Food Centre.

At the close of Nomination Day, a walkover was declared in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, which the WP had decided not to contest, sparking unhappiness among some voters who were looking forward to voting.

Without referring to this, he said at a doorstop interview with the media: “We field candidates in every constituency in Singapore, good credible candidates… to make sure that every voter has a choice. We don’t give up any constituency.”

Later, when asked directly about the walkover, he said: “On Nomination Day, we want to make sure that we offer candidates in every constituency, so that every Singaporean can have the opportunity to vote for a PAP candidate.”

The PAP team in Aljunied GRC comprises second-time candidate Chan Hui Yuh, 48, and four new faces – dental surgeon Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; company director Adrian Ang, 42; urban planning consultancy chief Daniel Liu, 40; and trade unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37.

They are up against the WP’s team of party chief Pritam Singh, 48, party chair Sylvia Lim, 60, and Mr Gerald Giam, 47, who will be joined by new face Kenneth Tiong, 36, and Mr Fadli Fawzi, 44, who had contested Marine Parade GRC under the WP banner in 2020.

SM Teo said the new PAP team will bring new expertise, experience and energy to the PAP’s slate in this election.

“This is a strong team, a refreshed team, and we hope that you give them your support here. They want to represent you (in) Parliament, they want to propose constructive ideas – not just to oppose – and they are ready to do so.”

He said the candidates want to maintain the towns better and make sure that residents have local initiatives that go beyond what is covered by national schemes.

They will also make sure that there is truth, accountability and transparency from all MPs, he added.

Asked for his thoughts about going up against the incumbent WP, Mr Jagathishwaran said: “We came to Aljunied GRC with open eyes because we have the heart to serve the people. This is not a popularity contest.”

Dr Faisal was asked about the PAP-branded toothbrushes he was distributing, which had been mentioned by Mr Singh in the opposition party’s rally in Sengkang on April 24.

Mr Singh had pointed to PAP merchandise such as teddy bears and toothbrushes, and said it was a “serious error of judgement in timing”, given rising inflation.

Dr Faisal said that, as a dentist, he decided to give voters something practical and useful, adding that they also serve as good conversation starters.

“I’m glad that there’s a lot of interest in my toothbrushes,” he said.

“I hope we can focus on our campaign and issues that matter because elections are serious,” Dr Faisal added.

SM Teo, who entered politics in 1992 and was anchor minister for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, is among 20 PAP MPs are stepping down, including Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

Asked why he is retiring, SM Teo said he believes that self-renewal is important for stability in any country.

“This is the process PAP has gone through for several generations, and (we) will do the same thing to help the new generation come forward,” he said.

Experienced politicians will share with newcomers their experiences, but put them in the driving seat so that “they can lead Singapore forward with new energy”, he added.

The PAP is expected to have a tough fight in Aljunied GRC against the WP, which had a near 10-point swing to win with 59.95 per cent of the votes in the Covid-19 polls in 2020.

This is despite changes to the WP slate after WP vice-chairman Faisal Manap made a surprise switch to contest in Tampines GRC in this election.

The boundaries for Aljunied GRC remain largely unchanged in this election, though three polling districts in Tampines West – comprising 3,834 voters – have been moved to the PAP-held Tampines GRC.

Aljunied GRC has 144,298 registered electors as at April 18.

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