GE2025: Teo Chee Hean, Heng Swee Keat among 20 PAP MPs who have stepped down
The PAP has put 32 new faces on its ticket in their place as part of its continuing practice of party renewal
[SINGAPORE] At the end of Nomination Day on Wednesday (Apr 23), the two biggest names that won’t run in the May 3 election are Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean and Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
The pair will depart from Parliament, having served 33 years and 14 years, respectively, after both turned up at the Yusof Ishak Secondary School nomination centre, but ultimately did not file their papers to contest.
They are among 20 PAP MPs whose names are not on the nomination papers this time; stepping up to fill their places are the 32 new candidates that the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has put on its ticket as part of its ongoing process of party renewal.
In a Facebook post thanking SM Teo and DPM Heng for their contributions, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong described them as “giants in public service” and “remarkable individuals” who have dedicated their entire careers to serving their fellow citizens and advancing Singapore’s interests.
“Without Swee Keat and Chee Hean, Singapore would not have been able to achieve all that it has over these years. If I am able to take Singapore forward from here, it is because of leaders like them – who worked tirelessly to lay such strong and enduring foundations,” said PM Wong.
Addressing residents of Pasir Ris and Punggol on Wednesday, SM Teo, 70, expressed his gratitude for their kindness, friendship and support.
BT in your inbox
Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.
He was first elected in the 1992 Marine Parade GRC by-election and has anchored Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC since the 2001 polls.
He said: “For more than 20 years, we have shared our joys as well as difficult times together, as we built homes and lives in Pasir Ris and Punggol. As I step down as your Member of Parliament, I do so knowing that we have good, strong teams who are committed and dedicated to continue serving you.”
PM Wong said that SM Teo was a mentor to him and many others in Cabinet.
“A strategist at heart, he brought an incisive mind to bear on complex issues, with a laser focus on effective policies that make a difference.”
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who has known Teo since university and worked closely with him for more than four decades, wrote in a Facebook post that SM Teo was a steady presence in the Cabinet and a pillar of strength in his third-generation team.
Honour and privilege
DPM Heng said it was his honour and privilege to serve Singapore. He decided not to run in the election as he believed it was “the right time to make way for a new team of capable individuals who are well-placed to serve Singapore”.
The 64-year-old – who was once on track to become Singapore’s prime minister until he withdrew in 2021 – entered politics in the 2011 general election as part of the PAP team contesting Tampines GRC.
PM Wong said Heng was a “steadfast friend, comrade and senior” who embraced the ethos of service above self.
Heng led the Our Singapore Conversation, which provided the foundation for the government to deepen its partnerships with stakeholders, and to provide many more platforms for citizen participation – a legacy that continued in the Forward Singapore exercise, said PM Wong.
In his Facebook post, SM Lee noted that Heng delivered a record five Budgets within one year when the Covid-19 pandemic struck, “which helped us to save lives and livelihoods”.
Other departures
Among the other political office-holders who won’t be running are Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Maliki Osman. Both veterans served five terms in Parliament.
Senior Minister of State for Transport and for Sustainability and the Environment Amy Khor, and Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How have also stepped down.
Four-term MP Lim Wee Kiak announced his retirement on Tuesday, after serving in Sembawang GRC’s Canberra ward for 19 years. Mountbatten’s Lim Biow Chuan is also stepping down after spending nearly two decades there.
Three-term MPs Sitoh Yih Pin, Gan Thiam Poh and Foo Mee Har have also announced that they will not contest the election.
MPs who have served two terms and are not on the PAP’s slate include Louis Ng, Tan Wu Meng, Cheryl Chan and Chong Kee Hiong.
Five one-term MPs – Carrie Tan, Derrick Goh, Ng Ling Ling, Don Wee and Fahmi Aliman – are also not standing this time.
For more election coverage, visit our GE2025 microsite
Copyright SPH Media. All rights reserved.
