RDU's Ravi Philemon says PAP strategy to field four new faces in Nee Soon is 'puzzling'

Mr Ravi Philemon, secretary-general of the opposition Red Dot United (RDU), said on April 25 it is "puzzling" that the PAP is fielding four new faces in its contest for Nee Soon GRC.

- Deepanraj Ganesan and Michelle Ng

A refreshed PAP slate led by Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, 66, with four new faces is competing against a team from RDU led by Mr Philemon, 56, at the upcoming polls.

The four political newcomers are Mr Jackson Lam, 40, the head of a pest control and cleaning company; former nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi, 40; Ms Lee Hui Ying, 36, director of communications at Temasek Foundation; and Ms Goh Hanyan, 39, a former director at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

First-term MPs Derrick Goh and Carrie Tan have stepped down. Two-term MP Louis Ng, who had been an MP in the area since 2015, is also retiring from politics.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who had been an MP for Nee Soon GRC since 2011, has been moved to Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

"It is puzzling to us to see that (the PAP's manifesto) is Residents First," said Mr Philemon, referencing the title of PAP's manifesto for Nee Soon GRC.

The PAP's manifesto for the area was launched by Mr Shanmugam and his team on April 24.