PAP's Ng Chee Meng wins Jalan Kayu SMC with 51.47% of votes over WP's Andre Low

Results for Jalan Kayu SMC in GE2025

The People's Action Party (PAP) Ng Chee Meng scraped through in the Jalan Kayu SMC against the Workers' Party (WP) Andre Low with a majority of just 806 votes.

Ng received 14,113 votes while Low received 13,307 votes.

The 56-year-old was MP for Pasir Ris–Punggol GRC between 2015 and 2020, and is currently the secretary-general of the National Trades Union Congress.

Jalan Kayu SMC, which has 29,565 electors, is among the newly formed constituencies, and is made up of parts of estates in Ang Mo Kio GRC.

This election win marks a political comeback for Ng after losing his seat in Parliament after the 2020 election, which saw his PAP team of three political officeholders lose to the WP in Sengkang GRC. 

Addressing Jalan Kayu residents at Yio Chu Kang Stadium after the election result was declared, Ng said that he is “deeply honoured and humbled to have earned your trust”. 

“I want to thank you from the bottom of your heart for your vote of confidence… I will serve you with humility and heart. We will build a Jalan Kayu that is stronger, kinder and more inclusive,” he added. 

'David vs Goliath'

Much of the talking point during the campaign was about the starkly contrasting backgrounds of the two candidates, with analysts calling it a “David vs Goliath kind of situation”.

Ng, 56, a former Chief of Defence and Cabinet Minister, appealed to Jalan Kayu residents that he wants to “win on his own merit” after the tough 2020 election loss.

“I stand before you because I want to serve, not with any safety net.

"As ironic as it sounds, when I stand to fight and champion workers’ interests to anchor job security, I am, interestingly, the only one without real job security,” he said in a rally.

Ng also had to defend himself against criticism of his involvement in the scrapped Income-Allianz deal, saying that the labour movement initially thought that it was reasonable and “proposed in good faith”.

Meanwhile, political newcomer Low, 33, had described himself as an underdog in this contest, and that he offers a different proposition from his older opponent.

The disputes lawyer turned staff product manager said then: “I feel like it's time for Jalan Kayu residents to make a choice if they want a different kind of parliamentarian — someone fresh, someone energetic, someone with new ideas.”

Like Ng, Low, 33, also faced controversy during the hustings, after a series of text messages containing “inappropriate” language was leaked on social media.

He has since apologised and vowed to “demonstrate” his commitment to Jalan Kayu residents “through actions”.

In the end, it was Ng who prevailed after a hard-fought contest.

Addressing supporters in Serangoon Stadium, Low thanked the residents who supported him on the campaign trail, and said that he remains committed to the residents of Jalan Kayu, and would continue to walk the ground.

He said: "This campaign was never just about winning a seat in Parliament. It was about offering a different, fresh perspective, asking important questions, and starting necessary conversations about accountability, affordability, and the Singapore we want to build together. These conversations do not end tonight." 

"There is plenty of room for growth and personal development, and perhaps with the party's blessing, in five years, I hope to once again seek your support to represent you in Parliament."

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editor@asiaone.com