PAP unveils 2 new faces in WP-controlled Aljunied GRC

Unionist, Teochew entrepreneur named branch chairmen as party refreshes slate

- Ng Wei Kai

The People's Action Party (PAP) has appointed two new branch chairmen in the Workers' Party-controlled Aljunied GRC, refreshing its slate in a constituency which has been held by the WP since 2011.

Trade unionist Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37, has been appointed chairman of Eunos ward, while Mr Kenny Sim, 55, chief executive of IT reseller and distributor Serial Achieva, will take over Paya Lebar, said the PAP in a statement on Aug 12.

Mr Jagathishwaran replaces bank executive Chua Eng Leong, while Mr Sim takes over from lawyer Alex Yeo, the PAP said.

The moves mean the two new branch chairmen will likely be fielded as part of the PAP's Aljunied GRC slate in the coming general election (GE), which must be held by 2025.

Both Mr Chua and Mr Yeo had contested and lost to a WP team headed by Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh in the last GE in 2020.

The pair will assist the two new branch chairmen during this period of transition, the PAP said.

In its statement, the party thanked Mr Chua and Mr Yeo for their service and said it looks forward to their future contributions in other capacities.

Mr Jagathishwaran has been a PAP activist in Zhenghua in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC since 2009, where he also served as branch secretary for eight years, the PAP said.