GE2025: PAP's Liang Eng Hwa to face SDP's Paul Tambyah again in Bukit Panjang rematch
On 15 April, PAP confirmed Liang Eng Hwa is set to defend Bukit Panjang SMC, setting up a rematch with SDP’s Paul Tambyah after their close 2020 race. Liang then won with 53.73%—the narrowest margin among SMCs.
SINGAPORE: People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Liang Eng Hwa will once again contest the Bukit Panjang Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming general election.
His candidacy was officially confirmed on 15 April 2025 during a party event at the Pang Sua Pond performance stage, which also introduced PAP's team for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.
Liang, who has represented Bukit Panjang since 2020, is preparing for a possible rematch against Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah.
In their 2020 contest, Liang secured 53.73 percent of the vote, the narrowest margin among all SMCs.
Expressing gratitude for another opportunity to serve Bukit Panjang residents, Liang reflected on the challenges of his first term.
"Despite the difficult first two years due to COVID, which made it challenging to initiate projects, we are pleased to have caught up on the lost time," he said.
A managing director at DBS, Liang previously served in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC from 2006 to 2020 before contesting Bukit Panjang. In 2023, he publicly revealed his diagnosis of nose cancer.
The electoral boundaries of Bukit Panjang remain unchanged for this election. As of 1 February 2025, the constituency has 33,566 registered voters, a decrease from 35,437 in 2020.
SDP secretary-general Chee Soon Juan confirmed last month that Tambyah will again run in the ward, setting the stage for a closely watched rematch.
Tambyah, a professor and infectious diseases specialist, is expected to focus his campaign on social policy, healthcare, and affordability—issues aligned with the SDP’s platform and relevant to a constituency still recovering from the economic aftermath of the pandemic.
The SDP has significantly increased its ground presence in recent months, with activists and Tambyah engaging residents through walkabouts and small group dialogues.
Observers suggest that the race in Bukit Panjang is likely to attract national attention once again, given the close result in 2020 and the contrasting profiles of the candidates.
Liang brings continuity and a proven record of local initiatives, while Tambyah presents an alternative vision focused on systemic reform and social equity.
Although the Election Department has yet to release the full schedule for the polls, parties are already intensifying their outreach efforts in key battleground constituencies.
Bukit Panjang is expected to be one of the most competitive SMCs in this election cycle. At present, no other parties or independent candidates have expressed interest in contesting the SMC.
