SINGAPORE – In a surprising development that has sent ripples through the political landscape, Ms. Jasmin Lau, the deputy secretary for policy at the Ministry of Health (MOH), has announced her resignation, effective April 1. This move has sparked speculation that she may be preparing to enter the political arena ahead of the highly anticipated General Election 2025.

An internal email circulated earlier this week confirmed her departure from the civil service, a top position within Singapore's administrative framework. At just 42 years old, Ms. Lau has dedicated a significant portion of her career to the healthcare sector. She previously served the MOH from 2013 to 2019, where she played a pivotal role in healthcare finance and was instrumental in the launch of MediShield Life, a national insurance scheme aimed at alleviating the financial burden of major medical bills on Singaporeans.

After a time spent at the Economic Development Board (EDB), Ms. Lau returned to the MOH in November 2021, where she headed various initiatives focusing on manpower, financial structures, and healthcare regulation. Notable projects during her tenure include the Healthier SG White Paper introduced in 2022, which emphasizes preventive healthcare over the traditional illness treatment model.

Apart from her roles within the MOH, Ms. Lau holds positions on the board of the Building and Construction Authority and is a trustee for the Singapore Institute of Technology, reflecting her extensive involvement in both healthcare and broader public service matters. Before her time at EDB, she worked with several ministries, including the Public Service Division, the Manpower Ministry, and the Finance Ministry.

Her resignation signals a potential shift in Singapore’s political landscape, especially with the upcoming election expected by mid-year following the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee's report due on March 11. Historically, the People’s Action Party (PAP) has leaned on seasoned public servants as candidates, and as the election draws near, such resignations often precede the official campaign period.

Ms. Lau is not alone in this trend. High-profile resignations earlier this year include former Nominated Members of Parliament Raj Joshua Thomas and Dr. Syed Harun Alhabsyi, who also left their posts to pursue opportunities in political service.

This practice isn’t new; during the previous elections in 2020, several public servants stepped down close to the polling day, most notably Tan Kiat How, who resigned just days before the election was announced. As the election season approaches, the public is left to wonder how many more officials will follow suit.

As speculation mounts about Ms. Lau's future in politics, the public awaits further developments in Singapore’s electoral landscape. With a new wave of political hopefuls emerging, the stage is set for a dynamic GE2025.