GE2025
GE2025: PSP to face PAP again in redrawn West Coast-Jurong West GRC in high-stakes rematch
The Progress Singapore Party will once again challenge the People’s Action Party in West Coast-Jurong West GRC, echoing their tight 2020 contest. Both parties confirmed their candidates on 23 April 2025, setting the stage for a closely watched electoral rematch.
The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) and the People’s Action Party (PAP) will face off once again in a high-profile rematch, as both parties confirmed their candidacy for the redrawn West Coast-Jurong West Group Representation Constituency (GRC) on 23 April 2025.
Nomination Day proceedings at Nan Hua High School saw familiar and new faces from both sides, reviving memories of their closely fought battle during the 2020 General Election.
PSP has fielded a team led by party chairman Tan Cheng Bock, alongside secretary-general Leong Mun Wai and first vice-chairperson Hazel Poa.
All three were part of the 2020 team that came close to winning the GRC. They are joined by new candidates Sani Ismail and Sumarleki Amjah.
The PAP’s slate is led by Desmond Lee, Minister for National Development. Joining him are Ang Wei Neng, previously MP for West Coast GRC, and Shawn Huang, a former MP for Jurong GRC.
Rounding out the team are new candidates: orthopaedic surgeon Hamid Razak and lawyer Cassandra Lee.
Speaking to supporters, Lee expressed gratitude for the past five years of support.
He emphasised the PAP team’s continued commitment to serving residents, asking for their trust once more.
“We are here to serve you,” he said, “and we seek your support over the next five years, to look after your estate and continue to serve you.”
The PSP candidates took the stage after the PAP, delivering speeches in English, Mandarin, Tamil, and Malay.
Tan declared the team’s return to the constituency, saying, “We are back and ready to serve you,” drawing loud cheers from supporters dressed in red.
Hazel Poa invited their opponents to a “clean debate”, while Leong Mun Wai acknowledged the redrawn boundaries but stressed that the team’s commitment remains firm.
“We have a strong manifesto, with many policies to help Singaporeans to have better lives,” said Leong.
The 2020 contest in West Coast GRC was the tightest of that election. PSP secured 48.31 per cent of the vote, narrowly losing to the PAP’s 51.69 per cent.
This result earned PSP two Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) seats as the highest-performing opposition team not elected.
Significant changes have occurred within the PAP’s line-up. Former West Coast MP S Iswaran, who held the seat since 1997, resigned in January 2024 after being charged with corruption.
Fellow MPs Foo Mee Har and Rachel Ong are also not part of this year’s slate.
In addition, the GRC itself has undergone changes. It has been renamed West Coast-Jurong West GRC and now includes parts of Jurong West and Taman Jurong.
The electorate has increased to 158,581 voters.
To maintain balanced voter-to-MP ratios, several areas have been reassigned.
Harbourfront and Sentosa now fall under Radin Mas Single Member Constituency (SMC), while Dover and parts of Telok Blangah have moved to Tanjong Pagar GRC.
West Coast GRC has historically been a stronghold for the PAP since its formation in 1997.
In the 2015 General Election, the PAP team led by Iswaran won with 78.57 per cent of the vote against the Reform Party, marking one of the party’s strongest showings.
