On Sunday, 6 April 2025, three new faces appeared at a community event in Punggol, potentially signaling their introduction as candidates for the upcoming General Election under the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
Among them was Mr Goh Pei Ming, the former Chief of Staff - Joint Staff of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Mr Goh, who left the military this month, shared that he had started volunteering in Punggol only a week prior. However, his grassroots experience spans back to 2007 in Kampong Chai Chee, where he has held significant positions such as chairman of the Community Club Management Committee and vice-chairman of the Citizens' Consultative Committee.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Goh stated he is in the process of transitioning his efforts to Punggol and has been following existing Members of Parliament (MPs) like Dr Janil Puthucheary, Sun Xueling, and intends to also work alongside Yeo Wan Ling to better understand the constituency and its residents. He acknowledged that any final deployment or candidacy would be determined by party leadership.
Another new face was Mr Foo Cexiang, who was previously Director of Private and Future Mobility at the Ministry of Transport. Mr Foo also began his volunteering journey in Punggol a week ago. During the event, he shared that he had been engaging with residents to learn more about their experiences and expectations for the area. His background in mobility and urban planning could potentially bring a fresh perspective to the development of the Punggol town.
The third newcomer was Ms Valerie Lee, currently Head of Corporate Affairs for Singapore and Southeast Asia at Sembcorp Industries. Ms Lee has previously been spotted on the ground in West Coast and East Coast GRCs, but her appearance in Punggol this time suggests a possible reassignment. Her corporate experience and prior grassroots exposure position her as another strong potential candidate.
These new individuals joined the current Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC team during the event. The existing team comprises Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, Dr Janil Puthucheary, Desmond Tan, Sharael Taha, Ms Yeo Wan Ling, and Punggol West MP Sun Xueling. The event, held at Oasis Terraces and organised by DBS as part of Singapore’s 60th birthday celebrations, focused on supporting local heartland businesses.
Dr Puthucheary addressed media queries, clarifying that the slate for the new four-member Punggol GRC had not yet been finalized. He mentioned that the team of three—himself, Ms Yeo, and Ms Sun—had been caring for the Punggol estate for many years, and are currently preparing for the upcoming General Election campaign. However, the identity of the fourth team member remains undecided.
Dr Puthucheary highlighted that several new faces, including Mr Goh and Mr Foo, have started grassroots activities in Punggol this month. He emphasized the importance of allowing the public to get to know these individuals—not just through formal campaigning but through community engagement and visibility on the ground. According to him, these activities are crucial for the community to understand their values, capabilities, and commitment.
In the 2020 General Election, the PAP team for Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC secured 64.16% of the votes in a three-way fight against Peoples Voice and the Singapore Democratic Alliance. The latest changes in electoral boundaries have since restructured this constituency. The Punggol estates and Punggol West SMC were merged to create the new four-member Punggol GRC, while remaining regions, including Loyang and Flora, were grouped into the new Pasir Ris–Changi GRC.
This restructuring is expected to lead to new political dynamics and candidate line-ups, with the PAP actively positioning experienced and fresh talents for the contest.
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