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SINGAPORE - PAP stalwart Heng Chee How is stepping down from Jalan Besar GRC after 27 years of serving the Whampoa ward in the GRC. He will be succeeded by former Ministry of Finance director Shawn Loh, 38, at the upcoming general election.

Ms Josephine Teo, who helms the GRC, announced this at a media conference held by the PAP at Whampoa Park on April 16.

Ms Teo, who is Minister for Digital Development and Information, thanked Mr Heng, 63, for serving with dedication and distinction in the GRC all these years.

She said that she knew him from their time in the labour movement and that he has a heart for workers, particularly the senior ones. She also said that he has “a great sense of humour”.

“Chee How is the elder brother I’ve never had. He’s a complete gentleman, fully honourable. You can try, but you will never find a nasty bone in him,” she told reporters, while also announcing the new Jalan Besar slate for the election.

She added that Mr Heng is very well-loved by the residents, and they are going to miss him terribly.

When asked if Mr Heng was going to retire from politics or be fielded in another ward, Ms Teo said that everything is still “open” and it is for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong to decide.

“It means that up to Nomination Day (on April 23), you can never say for certainty who’s running and who’s not running,” she said.

Mr Heng, who is Senior Minister of State for Defence, started out as a grassroots advisor in Whampoa, before he became the MP following the 2001 general election.

Several grassroots volunteers who were attending the event also teared up as Mr Heng spoke about his time in the ward.

“It has been an absolute honour and privilege to have been given the chance to serve Whampoa and to serve our people here,” he said, adding that he will always be grateful for the kindness residents have shown him “every day of this journey”.

He made his political debut in the 1997 general election, contesting as a solo PAP candidate in Hougang SMC against the incumbent - Workers’ Party’s Low Thia Khiang. He secured 41.98 per cent of the vote.