People’s Action Party elects members of its 38th Central Executive Committee

The People’s Action Party (PAP) elected its 38th Central Executive Committee (CEC) members on Sunday, 24 November 2024, through a secret ballot conducted among its cadre members.

The 12 candidates who received the highest votes were elected to form the committee, which will lead the party into its next phase, including preparations for the upcoming general election.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong were among those elected. Other members of the 38th CEC include Mr Heng Swee Keat, Mr K. Shanmugam, Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Mr Chan Chun Sing, Mr Desmond Lee, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Ms Grace Fu, Mr Edwin Tong, Ms Indranee Rajah, and Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

Mr Chee Hong Tat and Dr Tan See Leng, who ranked just below the top 12 in votes, were co-opted as the 13th and 14th members of the committee. Additional co-opted members are traditionally announced after the initial election results.

Key developments and leadership updates

Although the CEC does not have a direct role in Singapore’s government, it serves as the PAP’s highest decision-making body. Its members are tasked with determining the party’s strategy for the upcoming general election, which must take place by November 2025.

The elected members will form the core leadership team tasked with guiding the PAP during this pivotal period.

In his speech following the election, Prime Minister Wong reaffirmed his commitment to leading the PAP into the upcoming general election. He highlighted the party’s focus on renewal and strengthening, which includes forming the best leadership team and deepening its collaboration with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), a long-standing ally of the PAP.

Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who previously served as party chief, confirmed his intention to nominate Prime Minister Wong as the new party leader at the inaugural CEC meeting. Mr Lee stated that he would transition into an advisory role to support the party’s leadership as it enters its next phase.

The election process and candidates

Nineteen candidates contested the election for the 38th CEC. Among those who were not elected were Ms Josephine Teo, Dr Janil Puthucheary, Mr Alex Yam, and Mr Desmond Tan.

According to the PAP’s constitution, the CEC comprises up to 18 members, of whom 12 are elected during the party conference. Up to six additional members may be co-opted to strengthen the committee. The specific roles within the CEC—such as chairman, secretary-general, treasurer, and organising secretaries—will be announced in the coming weeks. In the previous CEC cycle, this process took approximately 20 days.

In the 37th committee, elected in 2022, co-opted members included Edwin Tong, Alex Yeo, Cheryl Chan, Ng Chee Meng, Tan See Leng, and Josephine Teo.

Leadership transition and continuity

The election of the 38th CEC occurs during a significant leadership transition for the PAP. PM Wong’s anticipated ascension to party leader marks a key milestone in the ongoing generational handover.

While the leadership is described as being refreshed, the continued prominence of familiar figures from the previous cabinet raises questions about the extent of renewal within the PAP.

The 38th CEC comprises:

1. Vivian Balakrishnan (Minister for Foreign Affairs)
2. Chan Chun Sing (Minister for Education)
3. Chee Hong Tat (Minister for Transport) (co-opted)
4. Grace Fu (Minister for Sustainability and the Environment)
5. Heng Swee Keat (Deputy Prime Minister)
6. Desmond Lee (Minister for National Development)
7. Lee Hsien Loong (Senior Minister)
8. Indranee Rajah (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office)
9. K Shanmugam (Minister for Home Affairs and Law)
10. Edwin Tong (Minister for Culture, Community and Youth)
11. Ong Ye Kung (Minister for Health)
12. Lawrence Wong (Prime Minister)
13. Masagos Zulkifli (Minister for Social and Family Development)
14. Tan See Leng (Minister for Manpower) (co-opted)