Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat to lead Bishan-Toa Payoh PAP team

He succeeds Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen; Gan Siow Huang to defend Marymount seat

- Sue-Ann Tan Correspondent Samuel Devaraj

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat will lead the PAP team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC that will field two fresh faces at the coming polls on May 3.

Apart from Mr Chee, the team will include Mr Saktiandi Supaat. Both the PAP candidates contested the constituency in the last two elections.

It will also include political newbies Elysa Chen and Cai Yinzhou, who were introduced at a PAP press briefing on April 18 at its Toa Payoh West-Thomson branch.

The PAP team, which will be up against the Singapore People's Party (SPP) in Bishan-Toa Payoh, will be without Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, who is stepping down after standing in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the last five elections.

Dr Ng said he will not be contesting the upcoming election, and will step off the political stage after a parliamentary career of nearly 24 years.

He said: "Leadership succession is a cardinal strength and virtue for the PAP. Incumbent MPs and ministers who could have continued for more years stepped down to make way for new candidates like myself.

"It is time for me to do the same."

He added that he had informed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong some months back that it was time for him to step down to "continue that virtuous tradition, to make room for renewal and regeneration".

Mr Chong Kee Hiong, who was fielded in the 2015 and 2020 general elections, will also be stepping down.

Mr Chee, who is the new anchor minister for the GRC, thanked both Dr Ng and Mr Chong.

He said: "I have learnt much from Dr Ng, and I am very grateful for his guidance and mentorship since I entered politics in 2015. I am very honoured to be given this opportunity to take over from Dr Ng as the anchor. It is a very big pair of shoes to fill, but I will do my best."

On April 18, Ms Gan Siow Huang was also confirmed as the PAP candidate for the nearby Marymount single seat.