The People’s Action Party (PAP) has named maritime lawyer Gho Sze Kee, 46, as its candidate for Mountbatten SMC, succeeding long-serving MP Lim Biow Chuan, who will retire after nearly two decades in politics.
The announcement was made on April 20 at a press conference by Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who will lead the PAP’s five-member team in the neighbouring Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC.
Ms Gho, an associate director at AsiaLegal, brings over 20 years of experience in maritime law and has been active in the party since 2012. She previously served as branch secretary at PAP Bukit Timah, and was seen walking the ground in Mountbatten with Mr Lim since August 2024.
Addressing reporters, Ms Gho said she was stepping forward out of a personal sense of duty to give back and to safeguard the future for her child and Singapore’s next generation.
“Government policies have served Singapore well, but not every situation fits policy,” she said. “MPs play a critical role in providing that last mile of coverage—bridging the gap between policy and people.”
In 2021, Ms Gho spoke at the PAP Convention, where she highlighted the importance of gender diversity in politics. If elected, she is expected to continue Mr Lim’s strong focus on community engagement and municipal matters.
Lim Biow Chuan Steps Down After Nearly 20 Years
Mr Lim, 61, first entered Parliament in 2006 as part of the PAP team in Marine Parade GRC led by then-Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong. When Mountbatten SMC was carved out in 2011, he went on to win the single seat in three consecutive elections, securing 73.82% of the vote in GE2020.
He served as Deputy Speaker of Parliament from 2016 to 2020 and chaired the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education in the 12th Parliament. Mr Lim was also a long-time president of the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and chaired Marine Parade Town Council for multiple terms until April 2025.
Outside of politics, he is a practising lawyer and co-founder of boutique law firm BC Lim & Lau.
Mountbatten SMC is expected to see a contest, with the People’s Alliance for Reform (PAR) indicating interest in the seat.
