Political parties in Singapore submitted their prospective candidates for General Election (GE) 2025 on Nomination Day (Apr. 23).
Based on the submissions, a total of 20 Members of Parliament (MPs) who were elected in GE2020 and served till Parliament was dissolved on Apr. 15, 2025, will not be contesting in the upcoming election.
Here is a run-down of who they are:
Amy Khor Lean Suan
Constituency: Hong Kah North Single-Member Constituency (SMC)
Khor's retirement was announced by Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong at a press conference revealing the People's Action Party (PAP) slate for Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) and Bukit Gombak SMC on Apr. 14.
According to DPM Gan, Khor, 67, would be stepping down due to personal reasons.
In a Facebook post published on the same day, Khor, who served as an MP for the Hong Kah North ward for five terms since 2001, said she was "ready and happy to make way for party renewal".
She also thanked her residents for their support over the decades and said she looked forward to her next chapter, where she would "continue to look for opportunities to serve and contribute to the community".
Before her retirement announcement, Khor was most recently the Senior Minister of State for Transport and Sustainability and Environment.
Carrie Tan
Constituency: Nee Soon GRC
Tan, 43, was one of the three MPs stepping down from Nee Soon GRC.
Tan, 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.
Cheryl Chan Wei Ling
Constituency: East Coast GRC
Chan, 49, announced her retirement from politics in a Facebook post published on Apr. 21.
In the post, she shared that she made the "difficult" decision "after careful consideration".
"It had been challenging since my father was ill in 2022. After his passing a year ago, I decided to give time to my family," added Chan.
Chan entered politics in 2015, representing the Fengshan ward for two terms in Parliament.
Chong Kee Hiong
Constituency: Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
The first sign of Chong's retirement from politics was signalled in a PAP press conference revealing the party's slate for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC for GE2025 on Apr. 18.
At the time, it was announced that Chong would not seek re-election as an MP for the GRC, and PAP new face, Elysa Chen, would be standing in his ward of Bishan East-Sin Ming.
On the same day, Chong also published a Facebook post, stating that he had "learnt much" from his residents over his two terms as their MP and would be serving the community "in a different capacity" henceforth.
Chong entered politics 10 years ago in 2015 and has served on government parliamentary committees (GPCs) for National Development, Defence, and Foreign Affairs.
Derrick Goh
Constituency: Nee Soon GRC
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) in February 2025.
Don Wee Boon Hong
Constituency: Chua Chu Kang GRC
Wee's retirement was announced alongside Amy Khor's by DPM Gan on Apr. 14.
In a Facebook post published on the same day, Wee, who represented the Brickland ward, shared that serving as its MP for the last five years has been "one of the greatest honours" of his life.
"Together, we have built not just infrastructure, but a kampung spirit grounded in mutual care and inclusiveness," he wrote.
Fahmi Aliman
Constituency: Marine Parade GRC
The NTUC director was elected in 2020 in the Marine Parade GRC.
He also served as the Mayor of the South East District.
Foo Mee Har
Constituency: West Coast GRC
On Apr. 15, Minister for National Development Desmond Leen announced at a press conference that Foo, 59, would no longer be part of the PAP slate for West Coast-Jurong West GRC.
While Foo did not confirm whether she would be retiring at the time, she wrote in a Facebook post on the same day that she would be "passing the baton" to her successors, namely Hamid Razak and Cassandra Lee.
Foo entered politics 14 years ago in 2011 and served as an MP for the Ayer Rajah-Gek Poh ward in her latest term.
Gan Thiam Poh
Constituency: Ang Mo Kio GRC
Gan's retirement was announced by Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at a press conference revealing the PAP slate for Ang Mo Kio GRC and Jalan Kayu SMC on Apr. 19.
Gan, 61, served for three terms in Parliament, representing residents in Punggol South, Sengkang South, and Fernvale divisions, respectively.
At the press conference, SM Lee said Gan's "deep care for the community has touched many lives", adding that "his residents will miss him".
In a Facebook post published on the same day, Gan said he was "proud to be able to work with [residents] to make Fernvale a good place to live, and to see services and infrastructure introduced, enhanced, and expanded over the years".
He also thanked his residents for their trust, support, feedback, and friendship.
Heng Chee How
Constituency: Jalan Besar GRC
On Apr. 16, Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo revealed at a press conference that Heng, 63, would no longer be part of the PAP slate for Jalan Besar in GE2025.
Teo also paid tribute to Heng, calling him "the brother [she] never had" and a "complete gentleman".
While Heng did not state explicitly he would be retiring from politics at the time, he wrote in an Apr. 17 Facebook post that "the time has come for [him] to hand the reins to a younger generation".
Heng has served as an MP for the Whampoa ward for five terms, or 24 years, since 2001.
In government, he was also appointed Senior Minister of State for Defence in May 2018.
Heng Swee Keat
Constituency: East Coast GRC
Lim Biow Chuan
Constituency: Mountbatten SMC
During a press conference introducing PAP candidates for Marine Parade-Braddell Heights and Mountbatten SMC on Apr. 20, Minister for Manpower Tan See Leng announced that Lim, 61, would be stepping down from the SMC.
At the time, both Tan and Lim fell short of confirming the latter's retirement from politics.
A four-term parliamentarian, Lim, 61, served as an MP for Marine Parade in 2006 before representing the Mountbatten ward after it was carved out of Marine Parade in 2011.
Lim Wee Kiak
Constituency: Sembawang GRC
Lim, who was elected in 2006 for Sembawang GRC, will not be running in 2025.
Louis Ng Kok Kwang
Constituency: Nee Soon GRC
Ng announced his decision to step down on Apr. 22, drawing a close to 10 years as an MP for Nee Soon GRC.
Maliki Osman
Constituency: East Coast GRC
Maliki, 59, announced his retirement from politics in a Facebook post published on Apr. 21.
He had hinted at this decision at a doorstop interview on Apr. 12, when he confirmed that PAP new face, Hazlina Abdul Halim, would replace him in the party's slate for East Coast GRC.
In his Facebook post, Maliki shared that PAP introduces new candidates at every general election "as part of its renewal to bring in younger, more diverse voices into Parliament".
Maliki added that he and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong both agreed that the upcoming election "is a good time for [him] to make way for a new candidate" and retire, as he has served in Parliament for five terms since 2001.
Over his 24 years in politics, Maliki wore several hats, including as an MP for Sembawang GRC and East Coast GRC, Mayor of Southeast Community Development Council (CDC), and most recently as a Minister in the Prime Minister's Office.
Amongst his achievements, Maliki shared that it was "especially meaningful" to work with other Malay/Muslim MPs and community leaders to uplift lives through social programmes.
"Watching individuals and families thrive has brought me immense fulfilment," wrote Maliki.
Ng Eng Hen
Constituency: Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
Ng announced his retirement at a press conference introducing the PAP slate for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC for GE2025 on Apr. 18.
Ng, 66, a five-term MP who represented the Toa Payoh Central ward for 24 years, is also Singapore's longest-serving defence minister.
Elaborating on his decision, Ng said that leadership succession is a "cardinal strength and virtue" of the PAP.
Just like how his predecessors had made way for him in GE2001, Ng believed it was time for him to make room for renewal and regeneration of the PAP slate.
Ng Ling Ling
Constituency: Ang Mo Kio GRC
Ng's retirement was announced alongside Gan Thiam Poh's by SM Lee on Apr. 19.
SM Lee said Ng, 53, had made numerous contributions to her Jalan Kayu ward, such as adding a new water playground at Buangkok Square Mall.
In a Facebook post published on the same day, Ng reflected on her time in public service, which included almost 20 years serving in civil service before she was elected as an MP:
"All these years in public service have given me the chance to learn, act (on needs & solutions), and serve my fellow Singaporeans from all walks of life as best as I can."
Ng also thanked her residents, volunteers, and donors for their support over the years.
Sitoh Yih Pin
Constituency: Potong Pasir SMC
Sitoh, 61, announced that he would not be contesting in Potong Pasir SMC for GE2025 at a press conference on Apr. 16.
Elaborating on his decision to pass the baton to lawyer Alex Yeo, 46, Sitoh said he was of the view that it is important to have a younger person to represent the ward so that it can run its next lap "effectively and efficiently".
Although Sitoh fell short of confirming his retirement from politics, he shared that he hopes to "spend more time with his family and three-year-old granddaughter" henceforward.
Sitoh has served in the Potong Pasir SMC for three consecutive terms, or 14 years, since 2011.
Tan Wu Meng
Constituency: Jurong GRC
Tan was not part of the Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC slate.
Teo Chee Hean
Constituency: Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
Teo Chee Hean was speculated to be running for Punggol GRC even after he had stepped down as Pasir Ris MP.
However, he did not put his hat in the race.
Top images via Heng Swee Keat, Amy Khor, Teo Chee Hean & Ng Eng Hen/Facebook
