PAP's Carrie Tan & Derrick Goh announce retirement from politics

Nee Soon GRC incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs) Carrie Tan and Derrick Goh announced their retirement from politics on Apr. 22.

This came a day after Nee Soon GRC anchor minister K Shanmugam confirmed the People's Action Party (PAP) line-up of candidates for GE 2025, with Tan, Goh and fellow MPs Louis Ng and Faishal Ibrahim replaced by new faces Goh Hanyan, Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Jackson Lam and Lee Hui Ying.

Carrie Tan

Tan, 43, who was elected in 2020, told reporters on Apr. 22 that she felt it was the right decision to step aside and make way for someone younger and more energetic.

But it wasn't an easy decision, as she has grown to love the community — residents and volunteers alike — said Tan.

In a Facebook post, Tan highlighted community care programmes she had helmed in her Nee Soon South ward, including a resource centre for caregivers and an upcycling library.

She also urged residents to give their support to Lee Hui Ying, who is standing in her place.

Tan told the media, “I will be pursuing some of my own learning development in the wellness space, and I will continue to be a change-maker, to bring whatever I learned back into the community to advocate for Singaporeans’ well-being.”

She added that she will still be around in the community, "in a different role, perhaps".

Derrick Goh

One-term MP Goh, 56, announced he would be stepping aside from politics to focus on his new role at DBS Bank.

Goh, who has been with DBS since 2008, was appointed group chief operating officer (COO) earlier in February.

Goh said that he had discussed with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and anchor minister K Shanmugam before coming to this decision.

"They both have been very, very encouraging, but they also agree with me that high performance requires full commitment, and on this basis, I asked to step aside so that Nee Soon Link can continue to have the full focus and the energy that is required of an MP," Goh told reporters.

“I will be stepping aside, but not stepping away", Goh said.

He added that as he settles down in his work, residents can continue to see him around.

Louis Ng also retiring from politics

Fellow Nee Soon GRC MP Louis Ng also announced that he is retiring from politics.

Ng was seen tearing up while reflecting on his 10 years as an MP.

Ng shared that he will be returning to the non-profit sector, a space he was involved in before entering politics.

With the departure of Carrie Tan, Derrick Goh and Louis Ng from the Nee Soon GRC team, it means anchor minister K Shanmugam is leading what is practically a fresh slate into the election.

The last incumbent Nee Soon GRC MP, Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, has moved out of Nee Soon GRC to stand for election in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC.

Top image by Shawn Khoong/Mothership