Lily Neo


Lily Neo is a Singaporean medical practitioner and former politician. A former member of the People's Action Party and Member of Parliament for the Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng constituency within Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency.
Neo retired from politics following the Singapore 2020 General Election.

Early life and education

An ethnic Chinese, Neo was born in Medan, Indonesia on 12 August 1953. She studied at Primary Thamrin Methodist School in Medan from 1961 to 1969. Thereafter, she attended Methodist High School in Penang and furthered her studies in Australia before graduating with MB Bch BAO; LRCPO and LRCSI Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 1980.
Neo relinquished her Indonesian citizenship and has been a Singaporean for more than 35 years.

Career

After obtaining her medical degree, Neo became a self-employed medical practitioner, a job she has kept since 1982. She is also a member of the People's Action Party.
Neo entered politics in 1996 and was elected to Parliament as a Member of Parliament for Kim Seng within Kreta Ayer–Tanglin Group Representation Constituency during the Singapore General Election in January 1997. Subsequently, she served as an MP for Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng in Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency for three consecutive terms and Tanjong Pagar Group Representation Constituency for one term.
At the 2011 General Elections, she moved to Tanjong Pagar GRC and was re-elected to serve as an MP for Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng as there was no electoral opposition in Tanjong Pagar.
She returned to Jalan Besar GRC at the General Election 2015 when her ward was transferred back to the GRC.
Neo served as Chairperson for Tanjong Pagar Town Council until 2015 and Deputy Chairperson for the Social and Family Development Government Parliamentary Committee and Member for the Parliament House Committee and Transport Government Parliamentary Committee. She previously served as Chairperson for various Government Parliamentary Committees, Chairperson for Jalan Besar Town Council and Treasurer for PAP Women's Wing, and has supported social measures to support the low-income, particularly the elderly and young children.
Neo retired from politics in July 2020.

Personal life

Neo is married to obstetrician and gynaecologist Ben Neo. They have two children and five grandchildren. Neo is a Christian and enjoys playing the piano, swimming and reading.