Ng Chee Meng visits Fernvale homes, sparks rumours of Jalan Kayu contest: Zaobao

Residents at Fernvale arrived home to door hangers from the People's Action Party (PAP) notifying them of an attempted house visit by NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng.

"Dear Resident, I had visited your home but was unable to meet you and your family," the hanger read, according to a photo shared by a resident with Lianhe Zaobao.

"I hope to meet you the next time when I conduct house visits in your area."

Fernvale is part of the Jalan Kayu Single Member Constituency (SMC), which is currently represented by MP Ng Ling Ling.

GE rumours

After Jalan Kayu was carved out from Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) as a new SMC, at least three opposition parties expressed interest in contesting there.

The SMC will include private estates along Jalan Kayu Road, the Seletar Aerospace Park, and some public homes in Fernvale.

A few days later on Mar. 16, Ng appeared at a community event for Jalan Kayu SMC, sparking rumours that he would be fielded there in the 2025 General Election.

He accompanied a team including Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong and fellow Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Gan Thiam Poh.

Asked if he would be running in the upcoming GE, he replied that he "grew up around" the area.

He added that the area overlaps with NTUC FairPrice's community engagement efforts.

Meanwhile, the day before, Ng was noticeably absent from the launch of the Ang Mo Kio Town Council Master Plan.

Dropped out in GE2020

Ng led the PAP's Sengkang team in the 2020 General Election, but lost to the Workers' Party team with 47.87 per cent of the vote.

Then Minister in the Prime Minister's Office, he lost his seat in Parliament and left Sengkang GRC in 2022.

In May 2024, he was asked if he would be contesting in the next general election and said he would "talk about it another day".

He said:

"Whether I am in or out of politics, Singapore is still the most important place in my heart...

So whether I return to politics or serve in NTUC, I give my assurance that I will do my best for all, to the best of my ability, and serve Singapore and serve everyone."

Top image from Lianhe Zaobao