GE2025: Ng Chee Meng intends to run in an SMC to be re-elected 'on his own merits'

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng said in an interview that he hopes to be re-elected to parliament "on his own merits" by contesting in a Single-Member Constituency (SMC).

Ng, who went on house visits in Fernvale and Jalan Kayu recently, has been strongly linked with a run in the newly carved out Jalan Kayu SMC as the People's Action Party (PAP) candidate.

Wants to contest on his own merits in SMC

In the recent interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Ng was asked why he was making his presence felt in Jalan Kayu SMC, rather than a GRC.

"I hope to rely on my own merits to be re-elected into parliament," Ng replied in Mandarin. Zaobao noted Ng explaining that he did not wish to "hitchhike" and be part of the GRC team.

"I know that no matter which choice I make, there will be criticisms from different parties. But I feel it's best if I can be re-elected on my own merits in an SMC."

In 2020, Ng headed the PAP team in Sengkang GRC which garnered 47.87 per cent of the vote, losing out to the Workers' Party.

On whether he had learnt any lessons from that defeat, Ng said he believed he and his team lost due to a political environment where voters wanted more checks and balances for the government.

"Since this is the case, we have to consider how to transcend political disputes and truly focus on the well-being of Singapore and Singaporeans in order to win the support of voters," said Ng.

Ng shared that he has been "heavily involved on the ground" in Sengkang even after the defeat, through NTUC Fairprice's community engagement efforts in the area.

He added that as Jalan Kayu SMC is part of the larger Ang Mo Kio GRC family, the MP can work with the team in Ang Mo Kio GRC in terms of plans and programs for the area.

Ng previously shared that he grew up in Jalan Kayu and is familiar with the area.

Ng told Zaobao that on his recent walkabouts, he had received an enthusiastic reception from Jalan Kayu residents, some of whom were young residents whom he admired for their directness and energy.

When asked if he had a message to share with young Singaporean voters, Ng said,

"I want to do my best to understand the hearts, aspirations and challenges faced by young Singaporeans and to partner with them to build Singapore's future."

Background

Ng was a PAP Member of Parliament and Cabinet Minister before losing his 2020 election contest in Sengkang.

Though Ng was no longer in cabinet, he remained in the role as labour chief, with unanimous support from NTUC.

He was co-opted into the PAP's central executive committee during the 2022 party election.

He was co-opted again in the 2024 party election.

If Ng were to run in the Jalan Kayu SMC in GE2025, the constituency might see a four-corner fight, as two opposition parties and one coalition had previously indicated their interest in contesting there.

These are the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR), the People's Power Party (PPP), and Red Dot United (RDU).

Top image from Lianhe Zaobao