GE2025: PAP unveils Sembawang GRC team via social media video ahead of expected three-cornered contest
The one-minute video marks the first candidate unveiling by the PAP conducted entirely online, replacing the traditional press conference approach.
The video featured Ong alongside incumbent MPs Mariam Jaafar and Vikram Nair, as well as new faces Ng Shi Xuan and Gabriel Lam.
The video ended with a group photo of all five candidates dressed in white, accompanied by the caption: '5 individuals, 1 team. A Sembawang for Everyone.'
Although the video did not explicitly state that the individuals were candidates, a PAP spokesperson confirmed to state media CNA that the five would form the party's prospective team for Sembawang GRC.
New faces with community experience
Ng, 35, is the director of Powermark Battery & Hardware and has spent the past decade volunteering in MacPherson SMC, focusing on youth-related concerns.
Lam, 42, serves as chief operating officer of Shalom International Movers and has been active in Chong Pang as a volunteer. He has also supported community rehabilitation efforts in Sembawang in recent years.
Ong has publicly introduced both men at community events since late March.
Speaking at one such event, he described them as 'very special,' praising their entrepreneurial backgrounds and dedication to both business and social service.
The PAP team in Sembawang GRC secured 67.29 per cent of the vote during the 2020 General Election, defeating the National Solidarity Party (NSP).
That slate included Ong, Vikram Nair, Mariam Jaafar, Lim Wee Kiak, and Poh Li San.
Since the election, Poh has been overseeing the Sembawang West ward, which was carved out into its own Single Member Constituency (SMC) following a March 2025 report by the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee.
Sembawang GRC is now expected to have 133,919 voters in the upcoming polls.
Potential three-way race
The NSP has reiterated its intention to contest in Sembawang GRC once again.
Its party chief Spencer Ng confirmed on 20 April that he would lead the five-member slate, accompanied by private-hire driver and swimming coach Raiyian Chia.
Meanwhile, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has also declared its intention to stand in the GRC, setting the stage for a potential three-cornered contest.
Despite facing strong online criticism and calls to support more prominent opposition parties, NSP has chosen to press forward in Sembawang and Tampines GRCs.
However, Spencer Ng stated that NSP will not contest in several other constituencies—including Sembawang West SMC, Tampines Changkat SMC, Jalan Besar, Marine Parade-Braddell Heights, and Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC.
Ng cited the need for 'responsible engagement' and a desire to support broader opposition unity as reasons for the decision.
Ong affirms need for early candidate announcements
Earlier this month, Ong stated that it was a 'form of respect' to introduce candidates early to residents, even if finalising line-ups takes time.
He noted that this approach helps residents become familiar with their potential representatives, promoting transparency and accountability.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - NDR2025: What could impact you
Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to deliver the National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 17). NDR is seen as the most important political speech of the year, when the prime minister addresses the nation and makes key policy announcements. This is Mr Wong's second NDR, and his first since leading the People's Action Party (PAP) to victory in this year's General Election. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng take a closer look at the details of his speech with Felix Tan, Independent political observer
CNA
2 days ago
- CNA
NDR 2025: WP urges government to engage widely, explore all options amid global uncertainty
SINGAPORE: In response to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on Sunday (Aug 17), the Workers' Party (WP) urged the government to "engage widely and explore all options" amid global economic uncertainty. The National Day Rally speech is widely seen as the most important political speech of the year. From artificial intelligence (AI) to a new traineeship scheme, Mr Wong touched on several subjects during the speech. In a statement early on Monday morning, the opposition party cited the advance release of the Manpower Ministry's labour force report for the second quarter of this year that said the uncertainty is expected to persist in the coming months and may weigh on hiring and wage growth. "Against this cautious backdrop, the Workers' Party urges the government to engage widely and explore all solutions tabled in good faith, including previously untapped ones," said the party. "Singapore should leave no stone unturned in our collective efforts to build a truly resilient nation for the future and keep our Singapore flag flying high." It said the government should "tackle present concerns" for businesses and employees, including rising rental costs, skills-related unemployment and the "slow rate of real income growth" of 0.7 per cent per year over the past five years. It reiterated its manifesto proposal that JTC Corporation should expand its market share for industrial space and continue offering low-rent options at different price-value points for small- and medium-sized enterprises alongside its private sector-run facilities. The party also called on the government to "urgently track and regularly publish" underemployment measures, as well as to establish a statutory minimum wage. "We agree with the approach of improving jobs matching efforts for Singaporeans, and ask that the relevant organisations accelerate the setting up of this programme with the economic uncertainty ahead," said the WP. "In our experience, many residents referred to e2i often receive career counselling, but not the direct job-matching support they truly need," the party added, referring to the National Trades Union Congress' Employment and Employability Institute. In the 2025 General Election, the Workers' Party retained its 10 seats in parliament by holding on to Aljunied GRC, Sengkang GRC and Hougang SMC. It will also have two Non-Constituency Members of Parliament in the next parliament. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Amid concerns over the impact of AI on jobs, Mr Wong assured Singaporeans that they remain the central focus of the country's economic strategy. While technology will lead to some roles evolving and others disappearing, Mr Wong said new jobs will also emerge. The WP said that while AI and new technologies will help businesses, they will also "alter the employment landscape permanently, leaving many Singaporeans behind". It reiterated its proposal in its manifesto for more collaboration between the ministries of education and manpower, to ensure that Singapore's school curriculum aligns with "evolving needs". Singapore should implement "skill-demand feedback loops" from industries for the design of the curriculum, funding for "structural skill-gap areas" and career guidance. "This targeted approach ensures that our education system can provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve high-value career pathways both domestically and globally," the WP said. It called for an increase in the number of allied educators, which can lead to "a meaningful reduction" in class sizes. The party also urged a shift away from high-stakes examinations and towards continual assessment and a through-train approach. "Ultimately, our goal is to create an education system that develops well-rounded individuals with the confidence and capabilities to succeed in an ever-evolving world," it added. The party also called for improvements to social safety nets, including the introduction of redundancy insurance and the mandating of retrenchment benefits for people who are laid off from companies with at least 25 employees. In his speech, Mr Wong also announced a new government-funded traineeship programme. It will provide training opportunities for graduates from the Institute of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities. The scheme will kick off with a "more focused roll-out" and will be scaled up if the economy worsens, he said. The WP said the programme should be designed with safeguards to ensure that state-sponsored internships and apprenticeships are not used by firms as a "source of cheaper, subsidised labour". "There should be clear performance metrics and a transparent commitment from participating companies to consider trainees for full-time employment once the training period ends," it added. All trainees should also receive basic workplace protections, said the WP, including paid sick leave and safe working conditions.
CNA
3 days ago
- CNA
NDR 2025: PM Wong lays out his vision for a shared future
Writing the next chapter of the Singapore Story - Prime Minister Lawrence Wong has laid out how the country will move beyond the first 60 years of nationhood. In his first National Day Rally after winning the General Election in May, PM Wong outlined policies for young and old, while making reference to everyday Singaporeans.
