A Look at the Trend and Its Significance for Singapore's Political Landscape

A Look at the Trend

Before entering politics, Mr Lee Yi Shyan held positions in a ministry and three statutory boards, culminating his public service career as the chief executive of International Enterprise Singapore. For him, the transition to politics was driven by a desire to "make greater contributions from a higher platform."

"Singapore is an accidental country," Mr Lee explained to CNA. "To sustain this tiny nation, every one of us should give our best and make a contribution. It is not just for ourselves but for the next generation."

Recent reports of six senior public servants resigning have sparked speculation that they might be considering candidacy for the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) in the upcoming General Election (GE), similar to Mr Lee's decision in 2006.

Among these individuals are Mr Jeffrey Siow, second permanent secretary at the ministries of manpower and trade and industry, and Ms Goh Hanyan, a director in the Ministry of Digital Development and Information.

While it remains uncertain whether all these former public servants will contest in GE2025, their potential participation aligns with trends observed in previous elections.

In the 2020 GE, five out of the 27 new faces (approximately 19%) fielded by the PAP were public servants, excluding those from the Singapore Armed Forces. Similar proportions were seen in GE2015 (4 out of 24, 17%) and GE2011 (7 out of 24, 29%).

The PAP's history of drawing political talent from both the military and the public service, encompassing the civil service and other government agencies like statutory boards, stretches back for decades. This trend highlights the party's continued focus on recruiting individuals with experience and expertise in public service for political leadership roles.