PAP to field 32 new candidates, including 13 women

Group will inject fresh energy, new ideas and help strengthen leadership team: PM

- Hariz Baharudin Correspondent and Chin Soo Fang Senior Correspondent

The PAP will field 32 new candidates in the upcoming general election, the largest batch of fresh faces in decades, as part of a national leadership renewal.

Thirteen women candidates will make their electoral debuts on the PAP ticket, up from the 10 introduced at the 2020 polls, as the ruling party fields more women than ever before.

Unveiling the line-up on April 17 alongside the party's election manifesto, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said one of his key priorities has been to renew the team and bring in good people to be future backbenchers, office-holders and leaders.

PM Wong, who is also PAP secretary-general, said the group will inject fresh energy, new ideas and diverse perspectives into the leadership team, strengthening its ability to govern Singapore in a more complex and uncertain world.

If elected, a number of these new candidates will form the core of the fifth-generation team and ensure that Singapore continues to be in good hands, he added.

"We have to expose them so that they can learn, grow, and eventually some of them will take on bigger responsibilities," he said.

"That is why I've worked so hard and put in so much effort to renew our team in this election - so that we are well prepared for the future, so that the PAP can offer Singaporeans a capable and strong team at the helm, not just for the next five years, but also for the next 10 to 20 years."

The PAP had fielded between 23 and 27 new candidates in general elections since the 1990s, which makes GE2025 its largest infusion of new blood in recent history.

The PAP's slogan for GE2025 is Changed World, Fresh Team, New Resolve.

On April 17, PM Wong spoke about each of the 32 candidates, who come from a range of backgrounds, including the Singapore Armed Forces, public service, private sector, academia, unions and social service agencies.