Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen retires, hands over Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC to Chee Hong Tat

SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed today (18 Apr) that he is retiring from politics ahead of the 2025 general election and handed the leadership of the People’s Action Party (PAP) team for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC over to Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Ng said, “It’s been an honour and privilege to serve my residents and Singaporeans at large for five terms.”

Dr Ng, who has spent close to 25 years as the MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh since he was first elected to Parliament in 2001, said: “For any government, there’s always tension between renewal and experience, not sure what the best balance is. I think it’s a virtue that PAP forces itself to renew, and that for more senior politicians like myself, we emulate the examples that we saw when we came in as newbies.

He added, “If older ones don’t step aside for new ones, you don’t prepare for the future. It’s as simple as that.”

Introducing Mr Chee as the new Anchor Minister for his former ward, Dr Ng said, “The new anchor for this GRC, Minister Chee Hong Tat is more than capable, well-established and has proven himself over the last 10 years to have improved the lives of residents here.”

With fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Chong Kee Hiong, a two-term backbencher, also retiring from politics, the PAP team introduced two new faces to join incumbent MPs Mr Chee and Saktiandi Supaat to contest the ward. The new candidates are 41-year-old charity director Elysa Chen and 35-year-old social entrepreneur Cai Yinzhou.

Echoing sentiments the PAP leadership has made about how Singaporeans should be “united” amid ongoing global tensions, Mr Chee said, “In this turbulent and uncertain global environment, you can count on the PAP team to deliver for you, to care for you, to keep you safe, and importantly, to fight for you, to have a brighter future for you and your family.”

The PAP team is expected to face off with the Singapore People’s Party in the coming election, which has been set for 3 May.