PM Lee has finally come forward to say something with regard to what TCH has done. Interesting to note that he has chosen to do so via "written interview" as opposed to a regular press conference. His statement is somewhat stange. Instead of wholeheartedly supporting his DPM, he says:
Mr Lee said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had simply laid out these facts before the public and it is an issue for voters to decide.
In an election, this is very unusual language to use.
It will be interesting to see who shows up tonight at PAP's rally and whether there are any PAP elders who are going to openly support TCH.
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PM Lee comments on Png Eng Huat NCMP controversy
SINGAPORE: In his first comments on the controversy surrounding Workers' Party (WP) candidate for Hougang Png Eng Huat, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said it was for Hougang voters to reflect on what happened and decide which candidate is better for Hougang.
In a written interview with the Singapore media, Mr Lee said the facts were clear.
Mr Png had first denied that he had been passed over by WP when it chose a Non-Constituency MP to send to Parliament but it later emerged that this was untrue, he said.
Mr Lee said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean had simply laid out these facts before the public and it is an issue for voters to decide.
On Wednesday, DPM Teo said the revelations by the Workers' Party in the past few days raised a new question about Mr Png's integrity.
Mr Teo said the explanation by Mr Png and party chief Low Thia Khiang did not answer the original question he posed, which was: "If Hougang is so important to the WP, why did WP decide to send Mr Png, a candidate whom their CEC clearly decided was not good enough to send to Parliament last year?"
Commenting on the desire of some Singaporeans to have more opposition MPs in Parliament, Mr Lee said he fully understands the desire for alternate voices in Parliament, but stressed that the quality of the voices counts and not just the quantity.
Mr Lee said having one more MP, either PAP or opposition, makes a difference not on the percentage increase to the side the MP represents, but on the MP's integrity, commitment and ability.
He added that he hopes when Hougang voters go to the polls on Saturday, they will assess both Mr Desmond Choo and Mr Png on that basis, and choose the one they consider more able to represent and look after them.
On the PAP's chances in Hougang, Mr Lee said Mr Choo and his team have done their utmost during this campaign, and he was confident that they have made progress winning over some of the swing voters through their commitment and sincerity to serve.
But Mr Lee expects it would still be a tough fight.
He hopes Hougang voters will seize this chance to vote in a PAP candidate who will work with the government to improve their lives.