SDA and PKMS Never Say Die. Hidup Malayu. Malay never Die. Ampun Tuanku.

[fivestars]

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has chosen Mr Desmond Lim Bak Chuan as its candidate for the Punggol East by-election.

It said in a statement on Tuesday that its campaign slogan for Mr Lim is 'Dedicated Local, Determined Leader'.

It added that Mr Lim is "armed to make a difference and cause potential ripples on the grounds of Punggol East".

On why he's making a comeback despite his defeat in the 2011 General Election, where he lost his election deposit of S$16,000, Mr Lim said the experience boosted his determination to come back bigger and better.

"Ordinarily, another person in my shoes would throw in the towel after the forfeit, and swear off politics. But for me, that incident boosted my determination to come back bigger and better the next round," he said in the statement.

The SDA said Mr Lim's 'Never Say Die' attitude has earned him a place in the hearts of many Punggol East residents.

It added that he will reach out to residents with a personal approach.

- CNA/ck

 

[fivestars]

SINGAPORE: The Punggol East by-election on January 26 will be a four-cornered contest.

The candidates are Dr Koh Poh Koon of the People's Action Party (PAP), Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party (RP) and Mr Desmond Lim of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA), Ms Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party (WP).

The Returning Officer, Mr Yam Ah Mee, declared them as candidates on Nomination Day on Wednesday at about 12.40pm after no objections were raised in the half hour after the close of nominations at noon.

In brief remarks after the announcement, PAP's Dr Koh urged supporters and residents to work together with him for a better Punggol East.

RP's Mr Jeyaretnam said his party is determined to bring a real choice and offer the chance for residents to decide how they will be represented -- from everyday needs to the highest level in Parliament.

Mr Lim of the SDA said he is back to serve residents and represent them, as well as raise the standard of living.

WP's Ms Lee asked voters to send her into Parliament, and pledged to serve them wholeheartedly and continue to stand up for their rights.

The Punggol East single-member constituency was left vacant by its Member of Parliament, Mr Michael Palmer, who resigned in December 2012.

Nine days of campaigning have been set aside.

January 25, a day before the by-election, is Cooling-Off Day.

There are about 32,000 voters in the ward, which Mr Palmer won in the General Election in 2011 with nearly 54 per cent of the votes cast.

- CNA/al

 

[fivestars]

SINGAPORE: Candidates for the Punggol East by-election can hold rallies at two outdoor sites.

One is the open field in front of Block 128C, Punggol Field Walk. The other is the open field in front of Block 183C, Rivervale Crescent.

Police said the sites are available between January 17 and 24, from 7am to 10pm.

The list of election meetings permitted to be held on Thursday will be released at the close of applications later on Wednesday afternoon.

- CNA/ck

 

[fivestars]

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Alliance's (SDA) Desmond Lim has described himself as a dedicated local and determined leader.

Mr Lim is no stranger to the Punggol East ward, having contested there during the 2011 General Election.

It was a setback that Mr Lim said would have made others run away from politics.

The SDA's secretary-general forfeited his S$16,000 election deposit when he garnered around four per cent of votes in the 2011 General Election.

He said his loss in the Punggol East ward only emboldened him to make a comeback. "In life, we have a lot of hurdles. We have a lot of experiences that (have) no smooth rides. But that doesn't mean that we stop from there. Are we going to tell our children 'oh, you fail your examination, that's it, finish. It's the end of the world. Don't study further.' No, we'll encourage them. Never mind, try again."

Mr Lim's brush with elections began in 2001, when he contested in the then Jalan Besar Group Representation Constituency and was defeated.

He lost again in the 2006 General Election, when he contested in the Pasir Ris-Punggol Group Representation Constituency.

With three elections and 20 years in politics under his belt, Mr Lim thinks he has the necessary qualities to represent Punggol East.

"The Parliament must have a diversified voice. We must have more than one, two parties to counter-check and balance of each other."

Since the 2011 loss, Mr Lim said he has built up a grassroots movement comprising over 10 Punggol residents.

"The residents (themselves) should take up the ownership to advocating for what they really need, such as hawker centre, and because of that, safety - road safety, buses, increase the number of buses service."

Mr Lim plans to set aside a third of his allowance as a Member of Parliament to start a residents' insurance scheme, if elected.

- CNA/ck

 

[fivestars]

Singapore Malaysia Boleh. Pasir Ris Minister and MP Boleh

 

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Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said the Punggol East by-election will be a close fight.

Speaking to reporters at the Nomination Centre at North Vista Secondary School, Mr Teo said: "I expect that it will be a close fight... what we need to do is to go out and reach out to as many residents as possible. Residents will choose who can best represent them and their interests," he said.

The incumbent People's Action Party (PAP) is fielding a new face in surgeon Dr Koh Poh Koon in the single-seat ward. He is up against three other candidates in a four-cornered fight - the first such contest in a parliamentary election since 1997.

When asked what his campaign strategy will be, Dr Koh said simply: "Listen more, empathise more, and interact more."

"Over the next few days, the residents will get to know me better," he said, pledging to further his efforts in reaching out to residents.

Dr Koh added that the neighbouring Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MPs have been supporting him, and DPM Teo's advice to him was: "To work as a team and continue working for the residents of Punggol East."

Mr Teo himself entered politics via a by-election. When asked what advice he could give, he said: "Continue what he (Dr Koh) has done.... Over the next few days, he will reach out to as many as he can. He's a down to earth, sincere person... who can make their lives better, and Punggol East better."

The other three candidates in the by-election are: Ms Lee Li Lian of the Workers' Party, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party and Mr Desmond Lim of the Singapore Democratic Alliance.

 

[fivestars]

From The Straits Times' live blogging team, these are the latest updates from the ground.

9.20pm - A PAP source says out of two counting centres, PAP is ahead in one and behind WP in the other. "It's all in the margins now".

 

[wwabbit]

Desmond Lim has conceded defeated.
*shock* *horror* Did not expect he would lose

 

[fivestars]

Sources say that out of six polling stations counted, the WP is ahead by 1,500 votes. If confirmed, this is beyond the 2 per cent margin needed for a recount.

 

[fivestars]

PAP source: Final result is projected to be WP:54.5% PAP 43.7%