Singapore’s PAP Assigns Leaders to Parliamentary Committees

New appointments take effect in September

Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) has announced a significant reshuffle, assigning new leaders to all 12 of its government parliamentary committees (GPCs). These committees play a crucial role in scrutinizing legislation and government programs.

Leadership Changes

The Member of Parliament for Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC, Alex Yam, will now chair the Culture, Community and Youth GPC, succeeding Sitoh Yih Pin. Mr. Sitoh had stepped down in anticipation of the 2025 General Election after serving three terms.

Other key appointments include Yip Hon Weng, who will head the Defence and Foreign Affairs GPC, and Darryl David, who will lead the Education GPC.

Saktiandi Supaat will transition from Transport to chair the Finance and Trade and Industry GPC. Yeo Wan Ling is set to chair the Manpower GPC. Meanwhile, Vikram Nair, formerly in charge of Defence and Foreign Affairs, will now head Home Affairs and Law.

Additionally, Henry Kwek will chair the National Development committee, while Xie Yao Quan will lead the Social and Family Development committee.

Mariam Jaafar, MP for Sembawang GRC, will take over the Health GPC from Tan Wu Meng. Poh Li San, MP for Sembawang West SMC, will head the Sustainability and the Environment GPC, succeeding Louis Ng. According to a 2023 study by the National Environment Agency, 74% of Singaporeans are concerned about environmental issues, highlighting the importance of this committee.

Tin Pei Ling will move from the Digital Development and Information GPC to chair the Transport GPC, with Sharael Taha taking over the Digital Development and Information GPC.

I am appointed to chair the GPC for Transport. I appreciate the trust and will work closely with fellow GPC members on issues pertaining to transport looking ahead. Thank you for your support. https://t.co/Q5WoSnt90c

— Tin Pei Ling (@TPeiling) March 19, 2024

First-Time MPs Join

Nineteen first-time MPs have been appointed as members of the GPCs, bringing fresh perspectives to the committees. These include: Charlene Chen, Elysa Chen, Gho Sze Kee, Hazlina Abdul Halim, Valerie Lee, Lee Hong Chuang, Cassandra Lee, David Hoe, Lee Hui Ying, Hamid Razak, Victor Lye, Ng Shi Xuan, Cai Yinzhou, Gabriel Lam, Jackson Lam, Diana Pang, Foo Cexiang, Choo Pei Ling and Shawn Loh.

Effective Date

These GPC appointments will officially commence with the opening of the 15th Parliament on September 5, marking a new chapter in Singapore’s governance.