GE2025: Ng Eng Hen to step down from politics as Chee Hong Tat leads PAP Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced on 18 April 2025 that he will be stepping down from politics. His departure makes him the first minister confirmed not to run in the upcoming General Election. Ng, 66, said the decision aligns with the People’s Action Party's (PAP) emphasis on leadership renewal. Speaking at the PAP’s Bishan-Toa Payoh branch office, he called succession “a cardinal strength and virtue” of the party. He said, “It’s been an honour and privilege to serve my residents and Singaporeans at large for five terms.” Ng has represented Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since entering politics in 2001. He has served as Minister for Defence since 2011, and previously led the Education and Manpower ministries. He was also Leader of the House from 2011 to 2015. Chee Hong Tat, currently Minister for Transport, will take over as the anchor minister for the PAP team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.

Two newcomers: Elysa Chen and Cai Yinzhou

The slate will feature two newcomers, Elysa Chen and Cai Yinzhou, alongside returning member Saktiandi Supaat. Former Member of Parliament Chong Kee Hiong, who was part of the 2020 team, will also step down and not contest. Ng said Chee is “more than capable, well-established and has proven himself over the last 10 years to have improved the lives of residents here.” The new team was introduced at the Toa Payoh West-Thomson branch office. Chee confirmed that Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC's boundaries remain unchanged following the latest Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) report. The GRC has 98,505 registered voters and was one of five GRCs that retained their current boundaries. If elected, Saktiandi will continue to serve Toa Payoh East, while Chee will remain at Toa Payoh West. Chen will be responsible for Bishan East-Sin Ming, and Cai will take over Toa Payoh Central, previously under Ng’s charge. “In this turbulent and uncertain global environment, you can count on the PAP team to deliver for you, to care for you, to keep you safe, and importantly, to fight for you,” said Chee. Elysa Chen, 41, is the executive director of CampusImpact, a youth-focused social service agency. She previously worked as a junior college teacher and journalist with Singapore Press Holdings. Cai Yinzhou, 35, is the executive director of the Chinatown Heritage Centre and a long-time Geylang resident. He is known for founding Geylang Adventures, which organises neighbourhood tours to promote heritage understanding. Cai has volunteered with PAP since 2018 and had expressed interest in standing as a candidate. Ng said it was important for senior politicians to make way for younger leaders, following the example set by their predecessors. “For any government, there’s always tension between renewal and experience… If older ones don’t step aside for new ones, you don’t prepare for the future. It’s as simple as that,” he said. In the 2020 General Election, the PAP team in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC—then comprising Ng, Chee, Saktiandi and Chong—secured 67.23 percent of the vote against the Singapore People’s Party (SPP). The SPP has announced plans to contest the GRC again in the upcoming election, continuing a trend from 2015 and 2020.