PAP introduces two new faces in Aljunied GRC ahead of upcoming election

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party (PAP) has announced two new additions to its team in Aljunied as part of its strategy to reclaim the opposition-held ward in the upcoming General Election (GE).

Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37, and Kenny Sim Mong Keang (沈茂强), 55, are the new branch chairmen for the Eunos and Paya Lebar divisions, respectively, according to a press release from the party on Monday (12 August).

They replace Chua Eng Leong and Alex Yeo, who previously contested and lost to the Workers’ Party (WP) team in GE2020.

The remaining three members of the PAP’s 2020 slate continue to lead their branches: Victor Lye in Bedok Reservoir-Punggol, Shamsul Kamar in Kaki Bukit, and Chan Hui Yuh, who oversees the Serangoon branch.

According to PAP, Jagathishwaran Rajo has been an active grassroots leader in the Zhenghua ward of Holland-Bukit Timah GRC for 16 years, previously serving as branch secretary before his recent move.

In April, he became the executive secretary of the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore Staff Union (IRASSU) and the assistant director of NTUC’s Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit (U FSE).

Prior to this, he was seconded to the Ministry of Trade and Industry as a senior assistant director in the Future Economy Planning Office.

He holds a degree in political science from the National University of Singapore (2012) and a master’s in community leadership and social development from the Singapore University of Social Sciences.

Jagathishwaran has been seen at community events alongside his predecessor, Chua Eng Leong, who took on the role in April 2013 and was part of the team that lost in the last two GEs.

Chua had previously served as vice-chairman of the Bukit Timah ward and chairman of the Citizens’ Consultative Committee (CCC).

In a Facebook post, Mr. Rajo expressed his honour at assuming the role of Eunos Branch Chair and extended his gratitude to Mr Chua and the dedicated Team Eunos for their tireless commitment over the past 12 years.

He looks forward to working alongside Team Eunos to engage with and serve the residents.

Kenny Sim is the CEO and executive director of Serial Achieva Limited, a computer and electronics manufacturing firm listed on the Singapore Exchange Catalist in June.

He graduated from Ngee Ann Polytechnic with a diploma in electronic engineering (1990), earned a commerce degree from Murdoch University (1998), and obtained a PhD in business administration from Honolulu University (2015).

Mr Sim is also the Chairman of Cheng Hong Welfare Services Society, an IPC-registered charity, where he introduced innovative programs to support the underprivileged, including Singapore’s first free Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) clinic for children.

Additionally, he has served as Honorary Secretary and Chairman of the Local and International Affairs Committee at Teochew Poit Ip Huay Kuan.

Both Jagathishwaran and Sim are expected to be part of the PAP’s slate for the next GE, which must be held by November next year.

PAP Eager to Reclaim Aljunied from WP

The Workers’ Party (WP) first captured Aljunied GRC in the 2011 election, defeating a PAP team that included Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo and newcomer Ong Ye Kung, who is currently Minister for Health.

The WP secured 54.72% of the votes, becoming the first opposition party to win a GRC since the system’s introduction in 1988.

The WP team, led by then-WP Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang, included Pritam Singh, Sylvia Lim, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, and newcomer Chen Show Mao.

Mr Low had left his long-standing stronghold of Hougang to contest Aljunied GRC.

In the 2015 election, the WP retained Aljunied GRC with 50.95% of the votes.

Despite applying for a recount, the PAP team, which included veteran MP Yeo Guat Kwang and four new faces, including current Kaki Bukit branch chairman Shamsul Kamar, was narrowly defeated.

In the 2020 General Election, Pritam Singh led the WP to victory in Aljunied GRC with 59.95% of the votes, marking the highest margin by which the WP has won a GRC to date.

The WP also achieved a significant win in the newly created four-member Sengkang GRC, securing its second GRC.