GE2025: SM Lee to lead PAP in Ang Mo Kio with 2 new team members, including ex-Aljunied candidate Victor Lye

Ms Lau was one of the most senior civil servants at the Ministry of Health (MOH), where she was responsible for key areas such as healthcare manpower, financing, and regulatory policies.

She began her public service career in 2006 and held several different postings over the years, including an earlier tenure at MOH from 2013 to 2019.

Beyond MOH, Ms Lau also served in key roles at the Economic Development Board, the Public Service Division, the Ministry of Manpower, and the Ministry of Finance.

She said that she engaged many diverse stakeholders from around the world, looked at the big picture and then put these together to make sound policy decisions. 

“These experiences are now the strong foundations that I bring into the new court of politics, and I believe that as I hone my skills, I will be able to serve Singaporeans effectively,” she added. 

Ms Lau, who is a mother of two, said she hopes that the children of Singapore can grow up in a country “where our differences don’t divide us, but are instead our source of strength”.

“It has to be a Singapore where teammates from different backgrounds have also come together and achieve something far greater,” said Ms Lau.

“Yes, Singapore will go through many tough times, again and again and again, but I believe that the Singapore that we have will stand together stronger with mutual respect, mutual reliance and mutual gratitude in the days to come.”

She added that she hopes to meet many more people, especially Ang Mo Kio residents, “to learn about your lives, your dreams and your challenges”.

Asked why she chose to enter politics despite the loss of privacy and constant public scrutiny, Ms Lau said that the decision was not an easy one.

“For me, it’s also not just about me stepping forward … This is a huge family affair. When we decide to step forward, it’s not like starting a new job or career. It’s the whole family putting ourselves, our faces, and our histories out there for people to see, to judge,” she told reporters after the introduction. 

Ms Lau said that ultimately, it comes down to responsibility. “When you’re asked to step up and serve, you jolly well go out there and do it the best you can.”

VICTOR LYE