GE2025: PAP new faces Cai Yinzhou & Elysa Chen join Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team

The PAP announced their Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team for GE2025 on Apr. 18, 2025.

With the departures of Ng Eng Hen and Chong Kee Hiong, the team will led by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat.

Rounding out the 4-member Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC PAP team for GE 2025 are social service director Elysa Chen and social entrepreneur Cai Yinzhou.

Cai Yinzhou

Cai, 35, has founded and co-founded various social initiatives over the past 10 years, such as backalleybarbers, which offers free haircuts to migrant workers.

He is a father of two and was also named a "Straits Times Singaporean of the Year."

Cai will replace Ng in the Toa Payoh Central ward of the GRC.

Caregiving

During the press conference, Cai spoke of his experiences in the caregiving sector, including working for two months in a nursing home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Caregiving, and caring for caregivers, is a topic close to his heart, Cai said.

"I will speak up for the support of caregivers, not just seniors, but adults and children with disabilities and special needs," he added.

Referring to Ng's departure, Cai said he has "big shoes to fill." He added that he hopes to earn their trust over time, and appreciated the warmth and care they have already extended to him.

Elysa Chen

Chen, 41, is the executive director of social service agency CampusImpact, according to her LinkedIn.

Prior to that, she held roles as a journalist at the Singapore Press Holdings (SPH), lecturer at Hwa Chong Institution and pastor at a local church.

Chen also previously served as a PAP volunteer in Punggol, and was recently seen on a walkabout with Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC MP Chee Hong Tat.

Chen, who has a 2-year-old son, will stand in Chong's ward of Bishan East-Sin Ming.

Three things if elected

During the press conference, Chen spoke of her experience as a journalist, witnessing both tragedy that struck families and the compassion of neighbours and friends who stepped forward to help.

She also mentioned her experience of serving as a district councillor with Northwest CDC for five years and as an executive director of a social service agency, and how she got to see how policies and ideas can be implemented on a wider scale.

She promised to be an advocate for young people and families, and said she would strive for three things if elected:

• Take care of our people
• Strengthen our people
• Inspire our people

She also paid tribute to the outgoing Chong, particularly his efforts in setting up task forces to care for the vulnerable, aging and middle-income residents.

"I humbly ask for your support, and I look forward to meeting you, listening to you, journeying with you, so that together we can build a neighbourhood with beautiful people in beautiful homes who can pursue beautiful dreams together."

Chee Hong Tat

Speaking during the question and answer session, Chee spoke of the importance of making sure senior residents don't become isolated, and staying engaged.

The GRC hosts programmes like learning Chinese calligraphy and playing bingo for residents on the weekends.

Chee also spoke about improving the infrastructure of the GRC's estates to make them more senior-friendly, while also pointing out that new BTOs will see lots of new families moving in.

Opponents

The Singapore People's Party (SPP) previously announced its intention to contest in two constituencies, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC and Potong Pasir SMC.

SPP secretary-general Steve Chia said that the party has confirmed its slate of candidates.

This includes a member of the minority race for the GRC contest — a Malay candidate — although Chia declined to share more details until Nomination Day.

He did clarify however that himself, party chairman Melvyn Chiu, and treasurer Williamson Lee will all be standing in the election.

Top image by Daniel Seow.