Politics
Marcus Loh replaced as Sengkang East branch chair, succeeded by Bernadette Giam
The People’s Action Party (PAP) has announced a leadership change in Sengkang East, with Marcus Loh stepping down as branch chairman. Bernadette Giam, an experienced community leader, will succeed him. This marks the third leadership change in Sengkang East since 2022.

The People’s Action Party (PAP) has announced a leadership change in Sengkang East, with Marcus Loh stepping down as branch chairman.
In a Facebook post, Dr Lam Pin Min, the anchor candidate for Sengkang GRC, confirmed the transition and expressed gratitude for Loh’s contributions while welcoming his successor, Bernadette Giam.
Dr Lam acknowledged Loh’s dedication, highlighting his efforts in reconnecting with residents of Sengkang GRC. “Marcus has been an invaluable member of my team, contributing significantly to our effort to engage and win back the hearts and minds of #SengkangGRC residents,” Dr Lam wrote.
He also noted the demanding nature of the role and respected Loh’s decision to step down.
Loh also shared a heartfelt post on his Facebook page, reflecting on his tenure and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community. He wrote, “Serving the residents of Sengkang East over the past 1.5 years has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I will always treasure the journey – every piece of feedback that inspired me to do better, as well as the memorable moments in making a difference for our community.”
He highlighted some of the key initiatives undertaken during his time as branch chair, including regular home visits and Rivervale Plaza walkabouts, setting up a community fridge and food rescue programme for families in need, creating reading corners and homework assistance for children, and introducing listening pods to better address residents’ concerns.
“None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Dr Lam Pin Min, A/P Dr Elmie Nekmat, Theodora Lai, and our incredible Sengkang East volunteers – many of whom are proud Rivervale residents who have become dear friends,” Loh added.
In his post, Loh acknowledged the heavy responsibilities of the role and explained his decision to step down, stating, “I’ve made the difficult decision to step back to focus on keeping well for my family.”
He also assured a smooth transition to his successor, Bernadette Giam, who officially took over as branch chair on the same day. “I am thankful to Bernadette for stepping up and have every confidence in her leadership,” Loh wrote.
Loh, who took on the role of branch chairman in Sengkang East in November 2023, succeeded Ling Weihong.
Loh is the director and head of strategic communication, public affairs, and corporate marketing at Temask-backed Temus, a digital transformation firm.
However, his tenure has been marked by speculation about his role in the party, as he was notably absent from public mentions during key events.
At the opening of the Buangkok Community Club in July last year, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong did not include Loh in his speech while acknowledging other Sengkang grassroots advisers.
Additionally, Loh faced criticism over social media controversies during his time as branch chair. The negative comments became so frequent that Loh removed commenting rights on his Instagram and TikTok accounts.
This development marks the third leadership transition in Sengkang GRC in recent years.
According to the PAP’s handout, Giam, Loh’s successor, is an experienced community leader and advocate for women, youth, and seniors.
With over a decade of volunteer work, Giam has championed numerous initiatives, including women empowerment programmes and preschool outreach projects.
Her work with the PAP Women’s Wing led to the launch of the “All Things Nice” initiative, which supported 300 young women with pre-loved corporate attire and mentorship opportunities. Giam has also served on the Singapore Council of Women’s Organisations’ Women’s Register, connecting young women with female industry leaders to foster professional growth.
In youth advocacy, Giam has been a member of Nanyang Polytechnic’s Business Management Advisory Committee since 2016 and has held leadership roles in the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus (CHIJ) Alumni Association. She is also actively involved in the Singapore Business Federation’s Young Business Leaders Network, supporting young entrepreneurs and promoting innovation.
Professionally, Giam works as a director at Creative Eateries, a food and beverage SME, where she manages strategic initiatives and business development. She also serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore.
Dr Lam expressed confidence in Giam’s ability to lead, stating, “Bernadette will be a fantastic addition to my team, and I certainly look forward to her contributions to our mission of serving Sengkang GRC residents wholeheartedly.”
This leadership change highlights the PAP’s efforts to strengthen its grassroots presence in Sengkang GRC, a constituency that it has been working to win back since losing it to the Workers’ Party in the 2020 General Election.
As Giam assumes her new role, all eyes will be on her efforts to engage with residents and further the party’s mission of community building in Sengkang GRC.

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