SINGAPORE – Senior Minister of State Dr Amy Khor will retire from politics and not contest the upcoming General Election (GE) 2025, she announced on Monday (April 14, 2025).
The long-serving Member of Parliament (MP) for Hong Kah North Single Member Constituency (SMC) confirmed that she is “happy to make way for party renewal” and will step aside after 24 years in Parliament. Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong told reporters on Monday that Dr Khor decided to step down for personal reasons and noted her many years of contribution to the community.
“She has contributed many years of service… and she has done a fantastic job,” Mr Gan said, expressing the party’s appreciation for her dedication.
Dr Khor later reiterated that she will not be standing in GE2025, which must be held by November 2025.
In a Facebook post on April 14, she thanked Hong Kah North residents, grassroots leaders and volunteers for their support “over the past 24 years, spanning five terms of government.”
“As I close this very precious and memorable chapter of my life, I look forward to the next chapter where I will continue to look for opportunities to serve and contribute to the community to the best of my ability,” she wrote in her post.
Career and contributions
Dr Amy Khor, 67, has been a PAP MP since 2001 when she was first elected as part of the Hong Kah Group Representation Constituency (GRC) team.
In the 2011 GE, Hong Kah North was carved out as a single seat, and Dr Khor successfully defended it in four consecutive elections.
Over more than two decades, she has held several key roles in government. She is currently the Senior Minister of State for Transport and for Sustainability and the Environment. She previously served as a Minister of State in the Health and Manpower ministries, and was Mayor of South West District from 2004 to 2014.
Throughout her career, Dr Khor became known for her work on environmental and transport initiatives. In the sustainability portfolio, she spearheaded campaigns to reduce waste – including new recycling programs for electronic, packaging and food waste – and promoted public hygiene at hawker centers, leading efforts like the national “clean tables” movement that requires diners to clear their own trays.
She also played a key role in preserving Singapore’s vibrant hawker culture and pushing for higher cleanliness standards in public eating places. As part of the transport ministry, Dr Khor focused on improving the taxi and private-hire car industry and enhancing connectivity to new towns such as Tengah.
For example, she oversaw policies to support taxi drivers and streamline regulations for ride-hailing services, and advocated better transport links for residents in emerging housing estates.
Implications for GE2025
Dr Khor’s retirement and the elimination of Hong Kah North SMC come amid electoral boundary changes ahead of GE2025. Hong Kah North SMC, which she has represented since its formation, will be dissolved and its areas merged into neighboring constituencies.
Notably, much of the ward – including the Bukit Batok West area – has been folded into the newly formed Jurong East–Bukit Batok GRC as per the latest boundaries review. The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has unveiled a new team led by Minister Grace Fu to contest this GRC, effectively succeeding Dr Khor in serving residents of the former Hong Kah North area.
With Dr Khor stepping aside, the upcoming election will see new faces fielded in place of the veteran MP. Deputy PM Gan, who is leading the PAP’s effort in nearby Chua Chu Kang GRC, lauded Dr Khor’s record of strengthening community bonds in Hong Kah North. He put on record the party’s appreciation for her “many years of service” to residents. Other party leaders have also paid tribute – at a recent event, Minister Grace Fu publicly thanked Dr Khor for her dedicated service to Hong Kah North over the years.
As Singapore prepares for GE2025, Dr Khor’s departure marks the end of an era for Hong Kah North.
Her retirement opens the door for PAP’s renewal in that constituency and signals a generational handover. While she will no longer be in electoral politics, Dr Khor indicated she intends to continue contributing to public life in other ways. For the residents she served across five terms, her legacy includes significant policy initiatives in sustainability and transport, and a personal touch in community engagement, cementing her reputation as a hardworking and approachable MP.
