PAP fields Ng Chee Meng in Jalan Kayu SMC: 'I'm stepping forward because I want to serve'

National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) secretary-general Ng Chee Meng has been named as the People's Action Party's (PAP) candidate who will stand in the newly-formed Jalan Kayu SMC.

This was announced in a media event on Apr. 19.

Ng will be replacing incumbent Ng Ling Ling, who helmed the Jalan Kayu ward in Ang Mo Kio GRC since she was elected in 2020.

Praising Ng's work with the labour movement—saving jobs, pushing for skills upgrading, and administering a self-employed personal income relief scheme service—during the Covid-19 pandemic, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said:

"Chee Meng has shown his mettle and will serve Jalan Kayu residents with equal commitment and dedication."

Speaking about the conversations that he has been having with residents in Jalan Kayu SMC, Ng said residents want "someone who listens and is prepared to take real action to help them".

"I'm stepping forward in this General Election because I want to serve."

Chee Meng has grit and sense of responsibility: SM Lee

Ng's candidature in Jalan Kayu comes as little surprise as he was seen conducting house visits in Fernvale and Jalan Kayu recently.

Ng also shared at a community event that he grew up in Jalan Kayu and is familiar with the area.

In a recent Lianhe Zaobao interview, Ng declared his intention to run in an SMC, instead of a GRC, so as to be re-elected "on his own merits".

Ng was a PAP Member of Parliament and Cabinet minister before his team lost the contest in Sengkang GRC in the 2020 General Election.

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

"Chee Meng had the grit and a sense of responsibility to continue serving in NTUC as its secretary-general, and he continued to receive the support of the labour movement," said SM Lee.

Ng 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.

Ng said:

"Some have asked me in my interactions, 'Why return to politics after the last election?' My answer is a simple one: Because I've never stopped caring."

Possible three-cornered fight

Jalan Kayu SMC might see a three-cornered fight in GE2025, as two opposition parties have indicated their interest in contesting there.

They are the People's Power Party (PPP), and Red Dot United (RDU).

RDU is likely to field ex-PSP member Kala Manickam, who is a specialist educator and business owner.

Kala, 57, was introduced by RDU secretary-general Ravi Philemon as their "groundwork leader" for Jalan Kayu during a Mar. 21 walkabout.

She holds a Master's in Lifelong Learning, and was among the pioneer batch of commissioned women officers in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

PPP has yet to announce their candidate for Jalan Kayu SMC.

Top image by Daniel Seow.