Lee Bee Wah on June 29 announced that she will be not running in the upcoming General Election and is retiring from politics.

To be succeeded by Carrie Tan

Lee had served as Nee Soon GRC MP since 2011, and previously served as MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC from 2006 until her ward was carved out to form Nee Soon GRC.

Lee will be walking the ground with the new People's Action Party (PAP) candidates fielded in Nee Soon GRC over the next few days.

The Nee Soon GRC team will continue to be led by Law Minister K Shanmugam.

Replacing Lee is new PAP candidate Carrie Tan, who is the founder and executive director of Daughters of Tomorrow (DOT), a social enterprise that enables sustained livelihoods for underprivileged women in Singapore.

Lee said that she is "glad" that a much younger candidate has been fielded, and she has shared her advice and experiences with several candidates including Tan.

Lee mentioned that she hopes to see the new candidates asking tough questions in Parliament in the future.

She also thanked Singaporeans for their messages of support, noting that they have made a difference together with her in her 14 years in politics.

You can see her full Facebook post here:

Background

Lee is best known for her folksy persona and lively speeches in Parliament, that can go from heartfelt, parochial, language barrier-crossing to bombastic.

Top photo via Lee Bee Wah's Facebook page