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The man behind a popular chain of bars and restaurants was among the first candidates unveiled this morning by the ruling People’s Action Party for the upcoming general election. 

Edward Chia, Timbre Group co-founder and managing director, joined Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat at party headquarters this morning to reveal the party’s first slate of candidates.  

Others included former Brig. Gen. Desmond Tan Kok Ming, Keppel Offshore & Marine general manager Ivan Lim Shaw Chuan, and TSMP Law Corp. associate director Nadia Ahmad Samdin. Tan was also the former chief executive of the People’s Association stat board overseeing grassroots organizations.   

PAP fronted its candidates at its headquarters on New Upper Changi Road. It was not specified which constituencies they would contest, but Heng was one of five to represent the Tampines GRC until yesterday’s dissolution of parliament. PAP won the constituency with 72% votes in 2015. 

Chia’s Timbre Group, known for live music at its bars and restaurants, has outlets at The Substation and the Arts House. It also manages the Yishun Park Hawker Center.

PAP’s unveiling of its first candidates happened just hours after the Progress Singapore Party officially announced that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s brother, Lee Hsien Yang, had signed up.

The Workers’ Party yesterday teased its roster of candidates just hours after the prime minister officially called the election. 

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Lee Hsien Loong’s brother joins Progress Singapore Party
Lee Hsien Loong calls for general election