Choo Pei Ling

Chua Kheng Wee Louis

Designation	Member of Parliament
Personal details
Party	PAP

Choo Pei Ling (Chinese: 朱佩玲; born 1987) is a Singaporean neuroscientist, physiotherapist, and politician. A member of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), she has served as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the Tengah ward of Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) since the 2025 general election. Prior to entering politics, she was an assistant professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), specializing in neuroimaging and stroke rehabilitation.

For the full list of positions, refer to PARL link.

Early Life and Education

Choo was born in Singapore in 1987. She pursued her undergraduate studies in physiotherapy in the United Kingdom. She later earned a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical and Imaging Neuroscience from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland.

Academic and Research Career

Before entering politics, Choo was an assistant professor at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Her research focused on stroke rehabilitation, neuroplasticity, and regenerative recovery using multimodal brain imaging and kinematics. She was also a principal investigator for several grant-funded projects that sought to optimize life after stroke and support Singapore’s community healthcare transformation.

Community Involvement

Choo has been involved in grassroots and community service for over two decades. She began volunteering at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS) during her youth. In 2024, she was appointed Second Adviser to the Kembangan–Chai Chee Grassroots Organisations, where she supported initiatives that enhance the well-being of seniors, uplift disadvantaged families, and mentor young people.

Political Career

Choo Pei Ling's formal entry into politics began in April 2025, when she was introduced as a new candidate for the PAP in the lead-up to Singapore’s general election. She was fielded as part of the PAP team contesting in Chua Chu Kang GRC, alongside Minister Tan See Leng, Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim, and fellow first-time candidate Jeffrey Siow. The team replaced outgoing veteran MP Dr. Amy Khor, who stepped down after serving nearly two decades in Parliament.

Her candidacy marked a continuation of PAP's strategy to rejuvenate its ranks with individuals possessing strong professional and community backgrounds. Choo was highlighted for her work in stroke rehabilitation and neuroscience, as well as her 20-year involvement in grassroots volunteering, particularly in Kembangan–Chai Chee.

During the 2025 General Election, the PAP team in Chua Chu Kang GRC secured 63.59% of the valid votes, defeating their opponents in what was considered a closely watched contest due to the changing demographics of the GRC, particularly the fast-developing Tengah New Town.

Choo assumed office as MP for the Tengah ward, one of the newer and rapidly urbanizing zones in Singapore. Her portfolio and ground engagements focus on improving access to healthcare services, strengthening community support for the elderly, and enhancing stroke prevention and rehabilitation awareness at the town and national levels.

Within Parliament, Choo has been seen as a rising figure in healthcare and ageing policy discussions. Drawing on her academic expertise, she has contributed to debates on community healthcare integration, healthy ageing, and the use of data and imaging technologies in public health. She is also part of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Health.

Choo has emphasized that her decision to enter politics stems from a desire to "translate scientific knowledge into public good,” particularly in shaping policies that address the challenges of an ageing population and the evolving needs of rehabilitative care in Singapore’s healthcare system.

Public Advocacy and Public Perception

Public Causes and Advocacy

Dr. Choo has been a vocal advocate for several national and community-level causes, aligned with her professional expertise:

• Healthy Ageing and Stroke Rehabilitation: Choo has consistently championed improved community-based support for stroke survivors, as well as early screening and intervention for age-related conditions. Her background in neuroimaging and geriatric rehabilitation has allowed her to push for science-backed health policies.

• Volunteerism and Community Resilience: With over 20 years of grassroots volunteering experience, she has frequently emphasized the importance of “neighbour-to-neighbour” support and community engagement, particularly in times of crisis such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Women in Science and Policy: Choo has publicly encouraged more women to pursue careers in STEM and healthcare, occasionally speaking at forums on gender equity in academia and public leadership roles.

Public Perception and Scrutiny

While no formal controversies have been recorded, a few areas of scrutiny or debate include:

• Rapid Political Rise: Some political observers have questioned the relatively fast transition from academia and advisory roles into frontline politics, with critics asking whether sufficient time was given to gain deeper ground experience in the Chua Chu Kang constituency itself. However, PAP has defended her appointment based on her long-standing grassroots work elsewhere and her domain expertise.

• Relocation from Kembangan–Chai Chee to Tengah: Her move from volunteering in the East (Kembangan–Chai Chee) to running in the West (Chua Chu Kang) was noted by media and some constituents, raising questions about local familiarity. Choo has acknowledged the move and expressed her commitment to serving the needs of Tengah residents long-term.

• Technocratic Image: Her academic background and policy-driven communication style, while effective in parliamentary debate, has been seen by some as less emotive or personal compared to long-time grassroots politicians. Supporters argue this reflects a modern, policy-literate leadership profile needed in Parliament.

• Rapid Political Rise: Some political observers have questioned the relatively fast transition from academia and advisory roles into frontline politics, with critics asking whether sufficient time was given to gain deeper ground experience in the Chua Chu Kang constituency itself. However, PAP has defended her appointment based on her long-standing grassroots work elsewhere and her domain expertise.

• Relocation from Kembangan–Chai Chee to Tengah: Her move from volunteering in the East (Kembangan–Chai Chee) to running in the West (Chua Chu Kang) was noted by media and some constituents, raising questions about local familiarity. Choo has acknowledged the move and expressed her commitment to serving the needs of Tengah residents long-term.

• Technocratic Image: Her academic background and policy-driven communication style, while effective in parliamentary debate, has been seen by some as less emotive or personal compared to long-time grassroots politicians. Supporters argue this reflects a modern, policy-literate leadership profile needed in Parliament.

Personal Life

Choo is known for her passion for neuroscience and public service. She has expressed a strong belief in using her scientific background to shape policy, especially in healthcare and social support systems. She is also an advocate for continuous education and translational research to benefit communities.