GE2025: PSP to field former West Coast candidate Jeffrey Khoo in Marymount SMC

SINGAPORE: Progress Singapore Party’s (PSP) Jeffrey Khoo will be its candidate standing in Marymount SMC at the upcoming General Election.

"The party has asked me to come here to serve as the candidate for Marymount," Mr Khoo told journalists at Bishan North Shopping Mall on Thursday (Apr 17). 

Mr Khoo, 56, contested as part of PSP’s West Coast GRC team in 2020. The five-seater constituency saw the closest fight of that election.

The People's Action Party (PAP) team, led by former Transport Minister S Iswaran, won with 51.69 per cent of the vote against the PSP. The tight contest secured the opposition party’s two Non-Constituency Member of Parliament seats for party secretary-general Leong Mun Wai and vice-chairperson Hazel Poa.

PSP founder and chairman Tan Cheng Bock told journalists on Thursday that the party shifted Mr Khoo to Marymount as his profile fits the SMC.

“Jeffrey is not an inexperienced politician. He has been with us since day one and has combed West Coast very thoroughly… I really valued him (there) but his call of duty is here (in Marymount SMC),” he said.

Mr Khoo was previously spotted with Mr Leong on a walkabout in Marymount on Apr 12, the same day the party announced it would contest Kebun Baru, Marymount and Pioneer SMCs.

PSP previously fielded candidates in all three SMCs during the 2020 election.

Then, PAP's Gan Siow Huang edged out PSP’s former assistant secretary-general Ang Yong Guan in Marymount SMC, garnering 55.04 per cent of the votes.

With Dr Ang formerly active in the area, the PSP has “a lot of friends” in Marymount, Mr Khoo noted.  

“I would say that we understand the place well. (But) to say that we have that deep roots here and all that, not yet,” he said, adding that organising more events on the ground will “take a bit of time”.

He currently serves as CEO of a regional risk consulting firm. He has also held various leadership roles at the National University of Singapore Society (NUSS) in the past 15 years. 

The father-of-three told journalists the top three issues for him this election are the cost of living, jobs and education.

"Those in my age group hitting their 40s and 50s (face) a lot of challenges. It's very important we make sure that our people, our Singaporeans get the right jobs," he added. 

The People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) has also indicated its intentions to contest Marymount SMC.

When asked about whether PSP has spoken to PAR about avoiding a three-corner fight, Mr Khoo said his party is speaking to the opposition alliance, adding that he thinks "things will pan out well by itself”.

PSP has also confirmed its plans to contest West Coast-Jurong West and Chua Chu Kang GRCs, bringing the total number of candidates it could field to 12.

Dr Tan and Mr S Nallakaruppan, who was a PSP candidate in Nee Soon GRC in 2020, were on the list of potential candidates published by the Elections Department on Apr 16. 

This means that the two have paid their election deposits and are likely to be candidates.

When asked whether he will be running in the upcoming General Election, Dr Tan noted that he will be turning 85 in a few days. 

“But if the spirit is strong, you must stand. And for us, people of my age, if they can do something for the country, they must continue to give what they know back,” he added. 

“Although I’m actually going to be 85 soon in a couple of days, I will be able to contribute and I still think that I can contribute. And I’ll bring young people to join me.” 

Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3 for the country’s 14th General Election.