Jeffrey Siow, Ng Chee Meng co-opted to PAP's 39th Central Executive Committee, no changes in top positions

Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Labour chief Ng Chee Meng were among the four leaders co-opted into the People's Action Party's (PAP) 39th central executive committee (CEC), the party announced on Nov. 5.

The CEC is the PAP's highest decision-making body, and the 39th committee will steer the party from 2026 to 2028 as it prepares for the next General Election. 

Second minister for Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs Sim Ann and 2025 Aljunied GRC PAP candidate Chan Hui Yuh, whose team lost to the Workers' Party during the 2025 General Elections, were also co-opted into the committee.

They join 14 other members: 12 elected at the party conference on Oct. 25, and two co-opted on the same day.

No changes in officeholders

There were no changes made to key officeholder roles within the CEC.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong retained his role as the party's Secretary-General, while Education Minister Desmond Lee remained the party Chairman.

Social and Family Development Minister Masagos Zulkifli, Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and Health Minister Ong Ye Kung will also continue in their roles as Vice-Chairman, Assistant Secretary-General and Treasurer respectively.

The complete line-up of the 39th CEC is as follows:

• Chairman: Desmond Lee
• Vice-Chairman: Masagos Zulkifli
• Secretary-General: Lawrence Wong
• Assistant Secretary-General: Chan Chun Sing
• Treasurer: Ong Ye Kung
• Assistant Treasurer: Chee Hong Tat
• Organising Secretaries: Grace Fu, Edwin Tong
• Members: Lee Hsien Loong, K Shanmugam, Indranee Rajah, Vivian Balakrishnan, Tan See Leng, Zaqy Mohamad, Jeffrey Siow, Ng Chee Meng, Sim Ann, Chan Hui Yuh

Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo and GE2025 Sengkang GRC PAP candidate Lam Pin Min, who were co-opted into the 38th CEC in 2024, were not included in the new line-up.

Changes to PAP HQ

Meanwhile, the PAP's headquarters executive committee saw a number of new appointments.

The Exco will now consist of three Assistant Organising Secretaries: North West District mayor Alex Yam, Senior Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Desmond Tan, and Minister of State for Culture, Community and Youth and Manpower Dinesh V Dash.

Yam and Tan retained their roles, while Dinesh replaced former Assistant Organising Secretaries Low Yen Ling and Tan Kiat How.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo was also appointed chair of the PAP Seniors Group (PAPSG), taking over the role from Trade and Industry Minister (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng.

Senior Minister of State for Social and Family Development and for Home Affairs Goh Pei Ming was made the new chair of the PAP Climate Action Group, replacing former Senior Minister of State for Manpower and for Health Koh Poh Koon, who resigned from political office on June 1.

The new HQ Exco line up is as follows:

• Chair, HQ Exco: Chan Chun Sing
• Assistant Organising Secretaries: Alex Yam, Desmond Tan, Dinesh V Dash
• Chair, PAP Seniors Group: David Neo
• Chair, PAP Malay Affairs Bureau: Zaqy Mohamad
• Chair, PAP Women's Wing: Sim Ann
• Chair, Young PAP: Alvin Tan
• Chair, PAP Mental Health Group: Janil Puthucheary
• Chair, PAP Policy Forum Council: Chee Hong Tat
• Chair, PAP Climate Action Group: Goh Pei Ming