SINGAPORE – A fresh slate of 12 MPs will head the PAP’s backbench committees that scrutinise government policy.

The People’s Action Party announced the make-up of its government parliamentary committees (GPCs) for the 15th term of Parliament on its website on July 10.

None of the chairpersons from the previous term continued in their roles. In 2020, three did so.

Mr Alex Yam heads the Culture, Community and Youth GPC, while Mr Yip Hon Weng chairs the Defence and Foreign Affairs GPC.

Mr Sharael Taha is chairman for Digital Development and Information, while Mr Darryl David chairs Education.

Mr Saktiandi Supaat, who was formerly the chairman for Transport, now heads Finance and Trade and Industry, while also serving as deputy chairman for Manpower.

Ms Mariam Jaafar chairs Health, while Ms Yeo Wan Ling chairs Manpower.

Mr Vikram Nair moves from chairman of Defence and Foreign Affairs to become its deputy, while taking up the chair for Home Affairs and Law.

Mr Henry Kwek takes the National Development portfolio, while Mr Xie Yao Quan takes Social and Family Development.

Ms Poh Li San, who was deputy chair for Sustainability and the Environment, is now the chair.

Ms Tin Pei Ling chairs Transport, relinquishing her role for Digital Development and Information.

All but Mr Nair, Mr Saktiandi and Ms Tin have never led a GPC before.

The 19 rookie MPs fresh from the May 3 general election who were not appointed to political office were put into GPCs.

The GPCs range from seven to nine members. Education is the largest with nine, while Digital Development and Information, Health, Home Affairs and Law and National Development have seven each.

These committees, first set up in 1987, bring together PAP backb...