SDA's Desmond Lim to contest in Punggol East
SINGAPORE - The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has unveiled Mr Desmond Lim Bak Chuan as its candidate for the upcoming Punggol East by-election.
Mr Lim came in third in the three-way fight for the ward in the 2011 General Election. Having only garnered 4.45 per cent of the vote, he was the only candidate that year to forfeit his S$16,000 election deposit.
The full SDA statement, issued this morning, is as follows:
"The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) is happy to unveil Desmond Lim Bak Chuan as the party representative for the upcoming Punggol East by-election slated for Jan 26, 2013. For Mr Lim, this decision comes with a full-on approach driven by dedication and determination.
"With his official slogan 'Dedicated Local, Determined Leader' as the driver for his campaign, Mr Lim is armed to make a difference and cause potential ripples on the grounds of Punggol East. Mr Lim's slogan brings forth his immense believe to make the change for a country he loves and calls home.
"His dedication as a person is traced back to his financial struggles growing up, eating off bread crusts as his family pushed on to support its day to day needs. It is perhaps (because of) this background that Mr Lim has developed acute survival instincts and the drive of a fully-loaded engine. His 'Never Say Die' attitude has earned him a place in the hearts of many Punggol East residents.
"And this attitude perhaps explains why Mr Lim is unfazed by the 'S$16,000 defeat', that made the news in the last elections. Mr Lim explains how the incident has acted as a reminder that anything is possible, but one must never give up.
"'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,' explains Mr Lim.
"After all, Mr Lim's persistence is far from ordinary. His slogan depicts his goal to keep going, and the continual believe that voters will see the gumption that Mr Lim brings to the table.
"'One day when my son turns of age, he too will face a hurdle in life. So, what do I tell him as a parent? Give up and shy away from defeat? Or surge forward, and use the defeat to fuel your fire to succeed? I want to think that like me, many Singaporean parents will inculcate the importance of journey over outcome in life. And impart the value of resilience in their children. And so I am still here.'
"With over 20 years in politics, Desmond Lim may just have all the necessary qualities and background to be the voice of Punggol East. Having entered the scene in 1992 as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Singapore Justice Party, to a Town Councilor in Potong Pasir Constituency for 14 years, Mr Lim has rubbed shoulders with other contenders in the General Elections in 2001 in Jalan Besar GRC, and in 2006 where he led a team to contest the Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC.
"His Masters in Engineering Management and current position as Principle Engineer in a major Telco since 1997 reiterates that Mr Lim has achieved professional success, vis-a-vis the pursuit of his political career.
"With his slogan in place, and his engine in full gear, Desmond Lim has his campaign strategy in place to win the hearts of voters in Punggol East in the short campaigning period ahead. His strategy will be direct, to the point and assume a very personal approach. This being a single-seat tussle, Mr Lim is clear that a personalised approach is best in reaching out to residents.
"'I want residents in Punggol East to know that this election is not just about choices; it is about making an informed decision. The recent political climate has been such that we have seen many prominent players bow out due to personal challenges and obstacles. This goes to show that carrying a party brand is not enough to make a candidate the best choice, voting in a person who can stick on and do the job is what will matter in the long run,' reiterates Mr Lim.
"Mr Lim believes that with all the uncertainty ahead of what may unfold, the only certain fact for voters is to count on someone who can and has weathered the storm. A candidate who has faced adversity and returned to continue fighting the cause. And this, Mr Lim, believes gives him the edge over the rest. That he has risen from the S$16,000 dead, and has now emerged a Dedicated and Determined Desmond Lim."
