The newly carved Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC) is set for a high-stakes, one-on-one electoral battle between People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Ng Chee Meng and Workers’ Party (WP) new face Andre Low.
Both candidates filed their nomination papers at Deyi Secondary School on April 23, after potential challengers Red Dot United (RDU) and the People’s Power Party (PPP) withdrew from the race. Their exits paved the way for a direct PAP-WP clash, adding to the intensity of this new SMC’s debut.
Ng Chee Meng, 56, is no stranger to politics, but this is his first attempt in a Single Member Constituency. He previously contested in Sengkang GRC during the 2020 General Election as part of a four-member PAP team that lost to the WP. Despite the loss, he remained politically active as Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and was recently co-opted into the PAP’s Central Executive Committee.
Ng emphasized his commitment to winning on merit. “I ask for your vote so we can build a better home together with all the community programmes that you treasure,” he told supporters after submitting his nomination. He added that he wants to be elected based on the trust and support of Jalan Kayu residents, not by being "parachuted into a safer seat."
Speaking to reporters, he expressed readiness for a fair and respectful campaign. He outlined key issues he's been engaging residents on, including cost of living, job security, and local municipal concerns. “I want to take practical action to uplift lives in Jalan Kayu and Fernvale,” he said.
His opponent, Andre Low, 33, represents a new generation of WP candidates. A staff product manager at a global fintech firm, he has a law degree with first-class honours from University College London, and an MBA from INSEAD. He’s also a former disputes lawyer, and has been with the WP since 2020, serving in the party’s media team and assisting Sengkang MP Louis Chua.
In his nomination speech, Low struck a personal and passionate tone. “I’m a young Singaporean and soon-to-be father. But I will speak for all Singaporeans, young and old,” he said. He pledged to be on the ground daily and to speak up for residents on issues such as housing affordability, caregiver support, and better amenities for Jalan Kayu.
He also emphasized his own family background, noting that as an only child with two elderly parents, he understands the pressures of caregiving. "I resonate with young families, and I understand the concerns of the elderly as well,” he told reporters.
Low added that Jalan Kayu is “one of the youngest constituencies in Singapore”, and he hopes his youth and energy will connect with voters, especially younger ones.
The formation of Jalan Kayu SMC followed a recent electoral boundaries review, where it was carved out of Ang Mo Kio GRC, previously Singapore’s largest ward by voter numbers. The SMC includes a mix of private estates along Jalan Kayu, Seletar Aerospace Park, and part of the Fernvale HDB zone. There are 29,565 registered voters.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, anchor MP of Ang Mo Kio GRC, had earlier said that Jalan Kayu will continue under the Ang Mo Kio Town Council post-election.
Both RDU and PPP had initially expressed interest in contesting Jalan Kayu but stood down in the interest of opposition unity. RDU Secretary-General Ravi Philemon confirmed discussions with WP leadership and said his party made a “difficult decision” not to contest. PPP’s Goh Meng Seng, however, voiced frustration with WP’s lack of transparency, calling it a “cat and mouse” game.
As the first battle for this new SMC, the face-off between a high-profile PAP returnee and a rising WP newcomer will be closely watched—and could serve as a bellwether for younger voters and new constituencies.
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