Faishal Ibrahim to move from Nee Soon to Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC for GE2025

Minister of State for Home Affairs and National Development Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim will join the PAP team in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC to contest the upcoming general election.

Announcing his departure from Nee Soon GRC on April 11, Associate Professor Faishal said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong had asked him to make the move, and he has accepted.

"PM had asked me to go over to Marine Parade and I have agreed," Prof Faishal told reporters at an interview held at a coffeeshop in Block 747 in Yishun.

The four-term MP, who helms Nee Soon Central ward in the GRC, has been spotted at walkabouts in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights recently. This prompted speculation that he might be fielded there in the coming election.

Ms Goh Hanyan, a former director at the Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI) and former Nominated MP Syed Harun Alhabsyi are potential candidates who could replace Prof Faishal.

Said Prof Faishal: "I'm very fortunate to be able to grow with the residents here in Nee Soon. We have grown from strength to strength, and it's been about 14 years, and it's been a beautiful journey... Going back to Marine Parade is a homecoming."

The 56-year-old had entered politics in 2006 as part of the team for Marine Parade GRC before he joined Nee Soon GRC in 2011.

Prof Faishal said he is very happy that Ms Goh has come forward to stand in the coming election.

"She's very prepared, and I'm very happy that she has gone around the ground and met many residents," he added.

He said he has been given the opportunity to engage and build good relationships with the Malay community in the group representation constituency, beyond his ward in Nee Soon Central.

"I'm confident that Dr Syed Harun, who is a well known figure in the Malay community, will be able to engage and connect with all the Malay residents in Nee Soon," Prof Faishal added.

Prof Faishal was flanked by Ms Goh, Dr Syed Harun, Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam and former Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah during the interview.

Speaking to reporters, Ms Goh said she has met many residents and seen the strong bonds that Prof Faishal has forged with the community.

"It's big shoes to fill, but I'll try my best and do the best I can to take care of the residents here if I get the chance to."

Dr Syed Harun, a psychiatrist, said he has been heartened by seeing Prof Faishal win the "hearts and minds of the residents of Nee Soon".

"I hope to be able to continue his good work, build on the solid foundations that he has had, as well as build on the relationships that he has had with the residents, in particular, also with the Malay Muslim community here," he added.

At the 2020 general election, the PAP fielded a team comprising Mr Shanmugam, Prof Faishal, Mr Louis Ng as well as two new faces - DBS Bank's group chief operating officer Derrick Goh and charity founder Carrie Tan.

They retained Nee Soon GRC with 61.9 per cent of the vote against the Progress Singapore Party.

Opposition Red Dot United (RDU) has stated it will contest Nee Soon GRC at the upcoming election.