'I'll see you soon!' Ng Chee Meng visits residents of Fernvale & Jalan Kayu

In March 2025, National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng's appearance at a community event in Sengkang sparked speculation that he might be running in the General Election (GE) 2025.

During the event, titled "Fernvale Family Carnival 2025," was held in the Jalan Kayu SMC, a new ward carved out from Ang Mo Kio GRC.

While Ng said at the event that the public will find out whether he will be contesting in GE2025 "in good time", he added more fuel to the fire with an Apr. 2 Facebook post, which showed him making house visits in Fernvale and Jalan Kayu.

Ng's presence previously felt in Jalan Kayu

Ng's visits were not unexpected, as residents at Fernvale had previously found door hangers from Ng's party, the People's Action Party (PAP), informing them of an attempted house visit by Ng.

However, in his latest post, Ng conducted his visits while wearing a shirt bearing NTUC's logo, rather than that of the PAP.

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

Although the labour chief's post has traditionally been held by a minister, Ng still remained in the role.

He was also co-opted into the PAP's central executive committee during the 2022 party election, despite not being an MP.

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

Thanked Fernvale & Jalan Kayu residents, MPs

According to Ng's post, he made the house visits over the course of last week, and he was grateful for the residents' "warm support and care".

He also added that some of the residents had reached out to him about work-related issues, which he promised to "follow up on".

Additionally, Ng expressed his gratitude for Gan Thiam Poh, Ng Ling Ling, and volunteers for introducing him to the residents.

Both Poh and Ng Ling Ling are Members of Parliament (MP) for Ang Mo Kio GRC, with Poh representing the Fernvale area and Ng Ling Ling representing the Jalan Kayu area, which would fall within the bounds of the newly created Jalan Kayu SMC.

Fatal Four Way fight for Jalan Kayu SMC?

If Ng were to run in the Jalan Kayu SMC in GE2025, the constituency might see a four-corner fight (or a Fatal Four Way match-up for fans of professional wrestling), 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).

On Mar. 13, the area's current MP Ng Ling Ling told the media that she "welcomes competition" as a PAP MP.

The upcoming GE must be held by November 2025.

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Top images via Ng Chee Meng/Facebook