Sitoh Yih Pin will not be returning to defend his seat for the People's Action Party (PAP) in the Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency (SMC) for 2025 General Election.
Instead, new face Alex Yeo, 46, will be contesting the SMC for the upcoming election.
Speaking to the media on Apr. 16, Sitoh said that he "specially requested for Alex Yeo to come to Potong Pasir to stand as a candidate here".
"I'm of the view that for Potong Pasir to run this next lap effectively and efficiently, and for us to continue to view a better home, it is important to have a younger person".
Served Potong Pasir SMC for 3 consecutive terms
Sitoh, who has served in the Potong Pasir SMC for three consecutive terms since the 2011 General Election, turns 62 this year.
He clinched his third term after beating then-Singapore People’s Party (SPP) Chairman Jose Raymond in the 2020 General Election with 60.69 per cent of the vote.
Prior to that, he had lost twice — in 2001 and 2006 — to opposition politician Chiam See Tong, who had represented Potong Pasir SMC since 1984.
Sitoh then beat Chiam's wife, Lina Chiam, winning for the first time in 2011.
In the press conference, Sitoh said that he and the Chiam couple are friends.
"We have been friends for a quarter of a century. We may be divided in our political beliefs and political philosophy, but I like to think that we are united in wanting the best for Potong Pasir residents."
"Feels like I've come home"
Yeo, who is a lawyer, said that he started serving in Potong Pasir in 2013 before being asked to lead the PAP Paya Lebar Branch in Aljunied GRC in 2017.
He also served in the PAP Central Executive Committee between 2022 to 2024.
"Having said that, a part of me actually never left Potong Pasir as I continue to engage and help residents when needed," said Yeo.
"Returning to Potong Pasir now, familiarity with residents, with volunteers, with activists, feels like I've come home."
Potential opponents
Yeo could be facing SPP in a potential three-cornered fight with the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR).
The PAR team revealed its plans for the SMC during a walkabout at Woodleigh Village Hawker Centre on Apr. 13.
SPP had also expressed their intentions to contest in Potong Pasir – which their former leader Chiam had previously helmed for six consecutive terms.
Top image by Khine Zin Htet.
