Yaacob Ibrahim, Member of Parliament (MP) for Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency (GRC), hinted in a Facebook post that he is done with his political journey.

His post came shortly after President Halimah Yacob dissolved Parliament on June 23, 2020.

Hints about stepping down as MP

"As of today I am no more a Member of Parliament (MP) with the Singapore parliament as it has been dissolved paving the way for the next general election," the former minister for communications and information said.

Yaacob stepped down from his Cabinet position in April 2018, along with two other veteran ministers, Lim Swee Say and Lim Hng Kiang.

Yaacob shared that he first joined Parliament on Jan. 2, 1997, marking a total of 23 years, five months, and 21 days as an MP.

He has also been the MP for Jalan Besar GRC since 1997.

He wrote:

"I would also like to thank my grassroots leaders, PA staff, my colleagues in the various ministries I served, all of my fellow parliamentarians and my GRC colleagues.

As I turn to the next chapter of my life I will always cherish these past 23 years for the friends I have made and the opportunities it gave me during many trials and tribulations to become a better person," Yaacob wrote.

In his last speech in Parliament on Feb. 26, Yaacob thanked the Speakers, the Parliament staff and all his colleagues, past and present, before giving a heartfelt appreciation of his time as a parliamentarian:

"It has been an opportunity of a lifetime to be able to serve the people of Singapore, as an elected Member of Parliament. I will always cherish this experience for the rest of my life. So thank you all for the wonderful experience."

Fielding another minister at Jalan Besar GRC?

The People's Action Party (PAP) has traditionally fielded an anchor minister to run in each GRC, thus making it likely for another minister to take over Yaacob to lead PAP candidates at Jalan Besar GRC.

Currently, there are no ministers in Jalan Besar GRC.

The most senior political office-holder is Heng Chee How, a Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office.

Political observers told CNA that a number of potential candidates holding positions in the Cabinet could be fielded at Jalan Besar, including Manpower Minister Josephine Teo and Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah.

Teo served in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC with Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, while Indranee served in Tanjong Pagar GRC with Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing.

As per protocol, their ministerial roles have been relinquished with the dissolution of Parliament.

The Straits Times reported that Teo joined Jalan Besar GRC MP Denise Phua for a webinar on SkillsFuture advice last weekend, attended by more than 300 residents.

However, Yaacob kept mum about the rumours, saying to CNA: "Again, these are matters for the prime minister and the leadership to decide."

"I will just continue with my usual mode. So on nomination day at 12pm, you can ask me and I can answer that question," he teased.

Top image via Yaacob Ibrahim/FB, Jalan Besar GRC/FB