SINGAPORE – On April 7, former director of the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), Ms. Goh Hanyan, made a notable appearance at a Meet-the-People Session hosted by the People's Action Party (PAP) at their Nee Soon Central branch.

This visit has sparked discussions about her potential candidacy in the upcoming elections.

Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam, who attended the session alongside Ms. Goh, praised her extensive experience and ground-level engagement, indicating that she would be an exceptional Member of Parliament if elected.

"She has 16 years of civil service under her belt and a proven track record working with multinational corporations," he noted.

Ms. Goh’s career is distinguished by her decade-long tenure at the Economic Development Board (EDB), which included a significant three-year period managing EDB's Washington office.

This experience endowed her with valuable insights into Singapore's economic landscape and its appeal to global businesses.

Since her return to Singapore, she has focused on vital economic issues like job creation and investment attraction.

Most recently, she served as a director at both the Smart Nation Strategy Office and the national artificial intelligence group within MDDI.

Previously, Ms. Goh also worked for nearly four years in the Prime Minister's Office, where she concentrated on strategies concerning the economy and sustainability.

During her time at the Meet-the-People Session, Ms. Goh expressed her commitment to community service, stating, "I’m very much looking forward to more opportunities to serve the residents here and to collaborate with them."

Her global perspective, combined with her in-depth knowledge of policy-making, positions her as a strong candidate for local governance.

Joining Ms. Goh at the session were other notable figures, including Jackson Lam, a rising star within the PAP and former chairman of the Hougang branch.

The session also saw the presence of former Nee Soon South MP Lee Bee Wah, who served three terms before stepping away from politics in 2020.

Minister Shanmugam confirmed that Ms. Lee was present to offer her mentorship to new party members.

The leadership of the Nee Soon Central branch is overseen by Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who recently was reported to have been active in other constituencies as well.

Uncertain about his future in the Nee Soon GRC, Minister Shanmugam indicated that it seems unlikely Faishal will continue there.

Furthermore, the grassroots scene is seeing increased visibility of other political newcomers and former nominated MPs, such as Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who was seen engaging with the community during a recent walkabout.

Shanmugam remarked on Dr. Alhabsyi's presence, suggesting that the dynamics within the PAP are shifting as new faces emerge to energize the party.

As Singapore gears up for the next election, Ms. Goh's active involvement in community initiatives and her robust background in economic policy signal a potentially impactful addition to the political arena.

Could she be the fresh voice Nee Soon needs? Only time will tell as the political landscape evolves!