With all eyes on the People’s Action Party (PAP) line-up to mount a challenge on the Opposition-held Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC), the slate was revealed with no big surprises, but the door was left open to last-minute changes come Nomination Day.

As widely expected, former Ang Mo Kio GRC Member of Parliament Yeo Guat Kwang was re-deployed to his old stomping grounds to replace PAP Serangoon branch chairman Chan Hui Yuh, 38, who had requested after National Day not to stand for the coming General Election to spend more time with her two young children.

Rounding up the team were private banker Chua Eng Leong, 44, insurance firm chief executive Victor Lye, 53, lawyer K Muralidharan Pillai, 47, and former school head of department Shamsul Kamar, 43.

The slate was the last to be unveiled by the PAP, which broke from tradition and began formally introducing its candidates since Aug 12 — well ahead of Nomination Day on Tuesday.

… Associate Professor Alan Chong of the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said it is possible that the PAP may deal a “wild card” to the slate at the last minute — and put up a sitting member of the Cabinet or a former minister.

Assoc Prof Chong said the PAP “may need a bigger heavyweight” to challenge the WP’s line-up, which consists of “all their big guns” including party chief Low Thia Khiang and chairman Sylvia Lim.