The People’s Action Party has announced the following team representing the PAP to stand for election at East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC): 

• Dinesh Vasu Dash
• Edwin Tong
• Hazlina Abdul Halim
• Jessica Tan
• Tan Kiat How

The team was introduced today at PAP Headquarters, where they shared their motivations to step forward and sought the mandate to represent East Coast residents.

About the team

Dinesh Vasu Dash தினேஷ் வாசு தாஸ் 迪内希  , 50

Dinesh Vasu Dash is a strong believer in serving the nation, our communities and our people. Dinesh is an advocate and supporter for the vulnerable in society, particularly our seniors. He volunteered for over eight years in a charity that operated Nursing Homes and Senior Care Centres.    

Prior to joining politics, Dinesh was the CEO of the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), an agency that focuses on supporting seniors and nurturing the Community Care Sector. There, he operationalised government policies to enhance the health and wellbeing of Singaporeans, particularly our seniors. He expanded the scope and scale of senior care facilities and launched multiple media campaigns to combat ageism in Singapore. He was instrumental in the successful rollout of Healthier SG, a preventive health programme, where over 1.2 million enrolled Singaporeans benefit from today.  

Before AIC, Dinesh played a pivotal role as the overall head of operations in MOH during the COVID-19 pandemic. There, he mobilised the public and private sectors to deal with the crisis.  He was the chief architect of the National COVID-19 Vaccination campaign, resulting in one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, which in turn resulted in a very low death rate due to the virus.  

Dinesh is also a passionate volunteer who firmly believes in giving back. He served in multiple organisations that benefited Singapore and Singaporeans including as a grassroots volunteer, Party activist, School Advisory Committee member for over fifteen years, and as a member of the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD). He was an EXCO member of SINDA and a Board member of the Hindu Advisory Board.    

Dinesh is married to Dr Rathiga Velaithan and they have three children. Besides trying hard to keep fit and listening to rock music, he also plays terrible golf.  

 

Edwin Tong ​唐振辉 , 55​ 

Edwin Tong has served as a Member of Parliament since 2011, championing causes like early childhood education, social integration, and building a vibrant Singapore. 

As Minister for Culture, Community and Youth, he promotes sporting excellence and broad participation, while also uniting Singaporeans through arts, culture, and heritage. 

Edwin is a Senior Counsel. At the Ministry of Law, Edwin has worked to strengthen the legal sector, improve access to justice, and support young lawyers. 

As the MP for Joo Chiat, he’s revitalised spaces, rebuilt a kindergarten, and is planning a new community centre—always grounded in residents’ needs. 

Whether bringing global stars to Singapore or chatting with a kopitiam uncle, Edwin serves with heart and purpose. He asked to serve East Coast because he has more to give—and promises to walk this journey with them. 

 

Hazlina Abdul Halim ​何礼娜 , 40​ 

Hazlina Abdul Halim is passionate about social impact and believes everyone has a part to play so all Singaporeans can pursue and achieve our aspirations.  

For 15 years, Hazlina presented the Malay news on television and later became Assignments Editor at CNA. Through journalism, Hazlina met community volunteers who were committed to making a difference and uplifting lives, inspiring her to do the same. 

A champion for advancing women’s aspirations and strengthening families, Hazlina has served at social service agency PPIS since 2012 to support families across their life stages and to promote fostering. As President of the Board, Hazlina steered PPIS through COVID-19 and ensured seamless support to over 10,000 beneficiaries while establishing Singapore’s first secular halfway house for incarcerated females.  

Hazlina also joined the Singapore delegation at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York in 2023 and again in 2024 at the UN 88th CEDAW session in Geneva to advocate for women’s development. 

For her efforts, she was conferred the Pingat Bakti Masyarakat in 2024.  

From her time in the social impact sector as CEO of Make-A-Wish Singapore, an international children’s charity, Hazlina learnt that during tough times, hope heals. 

With her experience working across the Private, Public, and People sector, Hazlina hopes to be the bridge that connects resources and partners who are committed to building strong families, caring communities, and a kinder Singapore. 

Professionally, she is Senior Vice President at a global CEO Advisory Consultancy Firm.  

Hazlina is married to a supportive and inspiring male ally. 

 

Jessica Tan ​陈舜娘 , 58​ 

Jessica Tan is committed to creating opportunities for all and enabling individuals to be the best they can be. In Parliament, she champions equal opportunities for mature workers and advocates for young women in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. 

In East Coast GRC and her constituency at Changi Simei, she strives to build a caring, green and vibrant community. She spearheads programmes to promote lifelong learning and sustainability, and provides platforms and opportunities for residents to co-create meaningful solutions that encourage bonding and uplift community spirit. 

Jessica is Peranakan and enjoys cooking together with her children. 

 

Tan Kiat How ​陈杰豪 , 48​ 

Before entering politics, Tan Kiat How spent almost 20 years in the public service. His political career includes roles in the Ministry of Digital Development & Information (MDDI) and Ministry of National Development (MND). He is also the Chairman of REACH, the Government feedback unit. Kiat How believes in actively engaging stakeholders to develop programmes and policies that make a difference to Singapore and Singaporeans. He also champions digital inclusion in the community, raising productivity standards in the Built Environment and improved animal welfare.

In his first term as MP at Kampong Chai Chee, he worked tirelessly to improve life for seniors, families and the less privileged. He believes in building the kampong spirit that can help the community meet challenges together and uplift each other for a better future.   

Kiat How has two young children. He enjoys the outdoors, spending time with his rescue dogs and watching anime.