Sembcorp head spotted on PAP walkabouts in West Coast, says she is open to running in GE2025

A new face has appeared in the West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Valerie Lee Nai Yi was seen dressed in white and participating in constituency visits with Minister for National Development and Minister-in-charge of Social Services Integration Desmond Lee on Dec. 19, 2024, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

Lee also revealed to Lianhe Zaobao that she is open to participating in the next general election.

A general election must be held in Singapore by November 2025.

Former Transport Minister S Iswaran resigned earlier this year in January, leaving a vacant seat in West Coast GRC.

Background

According to LinkedIn, Lee is currently head of corporate affairs for Singapore and Southeast Asia at Sembcorp Industries.

Lee graduated from the University of Michigan in 2008 with a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering.

She also received a Masters in Engineering Management from Duke University in 2009.

She appears to have largely worked in the energy industry since receiving her Masters.

Grassroots service, West Coast Town Council member

Lee started actively serving at the grassroots level five years ago, Lianhe Zaobao reported.

She was the chairman of The Frontier Community Club Management Club and won a Public Service Medal in 2023.

She was appointed as a West Coast Town Council member on Aug. 15, 2024.

She is vice-chairman of the West Coast Town Council Community Relations and Publicity Committee.

Spotted in white

Lee was also seen in white with Minister Lee and Member of Parliament (MP) Foo Mee Har on a walkabout at Teban Market on Dec. 8, 2024:

According to a Facebook post made on Dec. 9 by Foo, Lee also led a team of PAP activists in organising a fully subscribed free talk on lasting powers of attorney (LPA) and wills for Ayer Rajah-Gek Poh residents.

Willing to "serve in any form that is needed"

When asked if her participation in constituency visits was an indicator of whether she would fielded in the upcoming general election, Lee told Lianhe Zaobao that she was just one of the more than ten volunteers who had participated.

However, Lee added that she is open to running for election, and said:

"I will serve in any form that is needed, even if it's just moving chairs."

Leading up to GE2025

However, it is almost certain that there will be further changes to the West Coast GRC slate of candidates in the lead-up to the General Election.

Under the electoral division rules, the current West Coast GRC team needs an MP who belongs to the "minority racial community, either the Malay community or the Indian and other minority communities".

This spot was previously held by S Iswaran before he resigned from the People's Action Party.

The current West Coast GRC PAP team comprises Desmond Lee, Foo Mee Har, Ang Wei Neng, and Rachel Ong.

Top photo from Desmond Lee & Foo Mee Har/Facebook.