GE2025: PAP's Shanmugam & 4 new faces to stand in Nee Soon, includes ex-MDDI director & consultant psychiatrist

The four new People's Action Party (PAP) candidates for Nee Soon GRC have been confirmed for this year's General Election.

Minister for Law and Home Affairs K Shanmugam, anchor minister for Nee Soon GRC, introduced the candidates at the PAP Chong Pang Branch on Apr. 21.

They are Goh Hanyan, Syed Harun Alhabsyi, Jackson Lam and Lee Hui Ying.

New faces

Goh Hanyan

Goh, 39, was a former senior civil servant at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, where she was concurrently the director at the Smart Nation Strategy Office and the National Artificial Intelligence Group. She has also worked for the Economic Development Board for over 10 years.

She resigned in order to run for Parliament. Goh has three children.

Goh said she comes from a "family of service", with her father having spent over 40 years in the grassroots, and her mother a teacher.

She said that she has spent many years working on economic issues, and she hopes to bring her experience to bear as the country "navigates the shifts" in the current economic situation, and address the "very real and valid" concerns of residents.

Syed Harun Alhabsyi

Former Nominated MP Syed Harun, 40, who is a consultant psychiatrist and medical director, was speculated as a potential candidate after he resigned from Parliament in Feb. 2025.

He was later spotted on a visit to the former Northview Secondary School with Nee Soon GRC MPs.

Syed shared his experiences in volunteering with Malay community groups and a children's home, and said that he views entering politics as an extension of his service to others.

"I present myself as someone who is earnest in wanting to serve my residents, who wants to serve my community, as well as my country."

Jackson Lam

Lam, 40, the head of a pest control and cleaning company, has been a party activist at Chong Pang division (Nee Soon GRC) since 2013.

He also served as Branch Secretary for close to seven years

An active volunteer who has organised events for residents in the area, Lam graduated with an honours degree in Business Management from University of Bedfordshire in 2013.

Lam shared that Shanmugam had requested him to join politics. "I always believe in serving with a heart and getting things done on the ground."

Lee Hui Ying

Lee, 36, has been an active youth community volunteer in Nee Soon GRC for more than 15 years, serving at various grassroots organisations, including the Youth Executive Committee and the Citizens' Consultative Committee.

She is currently the Director of Communications at non-profit organisation, Temasek Foundation.

Soft launch

The four new faces were mentioned by PM Wong at the unveiling of the PAP's manifesto on Apr. 17.

Shanmugam also told Lianhe Zaobao in an Apr. 18 interview about the new faces.

The four new faces were also seen accompanying Shanmugam on a Nee Soon GRC residents’ visit to Rainforest Wild Asia on April 19, according to The Straits Times.

During the press conference, Shanmugam said that this is a "very balanced" slate of candidates, with a mix of skills and talents with potential office-holders that can go far in helping to serve the country as a whole.

Most likely to be up against RDU

The PAP slate will most likely be up against Red Dot United (RDU), which revealed its own lineup at a doorstop at Yishun Ave 5.

The candidates are RDU's secretary-general Ravi Philemon; science-based learning centre director David Foo; IT services senior consultant Sharon Lin; private school teacher Syed Alwi Ahmad; and international company director Pang Heng Chuan.

The People's Power Party shared that it will back out of the electoral fight, for the "well-being of Nee Soon voters".

Top image via Charissa Tapay/Mothership