Re: Hougang by-election
Political parties contesting the Hougang by-election set for May 26 introduced their candidates at separate media conferences on Thursday, a day after the Writ of Election was issued.
The People's Action Party (PAP) unveiled in the morning its candidate Desmond Choo, while the Workers' Party (WP) in the afternoon named Png Eng Huat as its candidate for the by-election.
This will be Mr Choo's second attempt in the single-seat ward contest. 34 year-old Choo was fielded in the 2011 General Election but lost to the Workers' Party's candidate.
PAP's Second Assistant Secretary-General Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who introduced Mr Choo as the party's candidate, emphasised that the by-election is a local contest about who the voters want as their representative in Parliament.
Mr Tharman, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said Mr Choo did not leave after the General Election but worked even harder on the ground, and over the past year has connected with many people through weekly coffee sessions and regular house visits.
He said: "Desmond has shown with his actions that he is someone you can trust, someone who genuinely cares about people and someone who will always be there for his constituents. That's the way he's always been, sincere about helping people."
Mr Tharman said it has not been easy for Mr Choo, but he has kept going and the PAP believes he can do much more as an MP.
Mr Choo acknowledged that the contest is going to be tough.
He said: "I am my own man, fighting this battle. Nothing beats a defeat to reflect on what you can do better and that is something that I have done repeatedly.
"But what has come across to me strongly is that there is no substitute for quality work, no substitute for quality relationship and there is no substitute to delivering what you say."
Mr Choo pledged to be a better choice for voters and to "always be there for them".
He said the PAP has a long-term plan and commitment to Hougang and also promised to mobilise support and resources, as well as take real and concrete steps to help residents with their problems.
"Our spirit is strong and we will fight to convince voters that we are the better choice for their long-term future," Mr Choo said.
"This by-election is really about selecting an MP that will take care of them -- not only now, but for their long-term interests, be prepared to voice out their concerns and be prepared to act on them.
"When it comes to serving the residents, it is not just the ten days of campaigning, it is about work and whether you deliver a difference on a daily basis -- that is the more important part to focus on. Our plan has always been a long-term one."
WP's Secretary-General Low Thia Kiang, who introduced Mr Png as the party's candidate in a media conference in the afternoon, said the party will fight the election to the best of its ability.
He described Mr Png as mature and the "right candidate" for the by-election.
He said he knew Mr Png before the 2006 General Election and has observed the way Mr Png works for some time.
He believes Hougang needs someone like Mr Png, who can connect with its residents.
Mr Low said Mr Png, if elected, can contribute to the party's leadership and parliamentary work.
He added: "We are confident that he's a person of integrity, sincere, wanting to serve the people and he fits our criteria as a candidate. Therefore we fielded him at the last election as a candidate at East Coast GRC.
"And again in this by-election, the by-election committee has unanimously decided that Png Eng Huat is the right candidate for the Hougang by-election."
Responding to an earlier comment made by Mr Tharman that the by-election will be a local contest, Mr Low said this will depend on the issues that will be brought up.
"But I believe it can never be so clear-cut whether it's local or national. While we've noted DPM's comments on what the PAP wants to do, we have to see what comes out before we respond to whether it's local or national," he said.
Mr Png, the youngest in a family of six, said he was brought up in a "rough neighbourhood".
He has been involved in Hougang since 2006, looking after the welfare of needy residents.
Mr Png said his management style is different from Mr Low's, adding that he likes to listen.
He said issues he wishes to highlight include upgrading for the estate and transportation.
Mr Png added that Hougang residents know the importance of having an opposition.
He said: "I mean you look at it -- for 20 years, they wanted a voice, they want a unique voice. I want to be that voice for them. Policies -- as I visited the estate, I do get feedback from them (on the) cost of living, transport, these are things that I can highlight to them."
The Hougang by-election is expected to be a straight fight between the PAP and the Workers' Party.
Mr Tharman said: "Mr Low is clearly confident, I would say ultra-confident, having held Hougang for 20 years. But we shouldn't trivialise the election process.
"I don't think you can say that it doesn't matter if a candidate turns out to be irresponsible, doesn't matter what he is like. If something goes wrong and after a few weeks you can't get an answer, 'we sack him and hope for a by-election, don't worry, we will produce a new candidate'. That trivialises what has happened."
The Hougang by-election was called after the seat was vacated by WP's Yaw Shin Leong after he was expelled from the party in February.
Political parties contesting the Hougang by-election set for May 26 introduced their candidates at separate media conferences on Thursday, a day after the Writ of Election was issued.
The People's Action Party (PAP) unveiled in the morning its candidate Desmond Choo, while the Workers' Party (WP) in the afternoon named Png Eng Huat as its candidate for the by-election.
This will be Mr Choo's second attempt in the single-seat ward contest. 34 year-old Choo was fielded in the 2011 General Election but lost to the Workers' Party's candidate.
PAP's Second Assistant Secretary-General Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who introduced Mr Choo as the party's candidate, emphasised that the by-election is a local contest about who the voters want as their representative in Parliament.
Mr Tharman, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, said Mr Choo did not leave after the General Election but worked even harder on the ground, and over the past year has connected with many people through weekly coffee sessions and regular house visits.
He said: "Desmond has shown with his actions that he is someone you can trust, someone who genuinely cares about people and someone who will always be there for his constituents. That's the way he's always been, sincere about helping people."
Mr Tharman said it has not been easy for Mr Choo, but he has kept going and the PAP believes he can do much more as an MP.
Mr Choo acknowledged that the contest is going to be tough.
He said: "I am my own man, fighting this battle. Nothing beats a defeat to reflect on what you can do better and that is something that I have done repeatedly.
"But what has come across to me strongly is that there is no substitute for quality work, no substitute for quality relationship and there is no substitute to delivering what you say."
Mr Choo pledged to be a better choice for voters and to "always be there for them".
He said the PAP has a long-term plan and commitment to Hougang and also promised to mobilise support and resources, as well as take real and concrete steps to help residents with their problems.
"Our spirit is strong and we will fight to convince voters that we are the better choice for their long-term future," Mr Choo said.
"This by-election is really about selecting an MP that will take care of them -- not only now, but for their long-term interests, be prepared to voice out their concerns and be prepared to act on them.
"When it comes to serving the residents, it is not just the ten days of campaigning, it is about work and whether you deliver a difference on a daily basis -- that is the more important part to focus on. Our plan has always been a long-term one."
WP's Secretary-General Low Thia Kiang, who introduced Mr Png as the party's candidate in a media conference in the afternoon, said the party will fight the election to the best of its ability.
He described Mr Png as mature and the "right candidate" for the by-election.
He said he knew Mr Png before the 2006 General Election and has observed the way Mr Png works for some time.
He believes Hougang needs someone like Mr Png, who can connect with its residents.
Mr Low said Mr Png, if elected, can contribute to the party's leadership and parliamentary work.
He added: "We are confident that he's a person of integrity, sincere, wanting to serve the people and he fits our criteria as a candidate. Therefore we fielded him at the last election as a candidate at East Coast GRC.
"And again in this by-election, the by-election committee has unanimously decided that Png Eng Huat is the right candidate for the Hougang by-election."
Responding to an earlier comment made by Mr Tharman that the by-election will be a local contest, Mr Low said this will depend on the issues that will be brought up.
"But I believe it can never be so clear-cut whether it's local or national. While we've noted DPM's comments on what the PAP wants to do, we have to see what comes out before we respond to whether it's local or national," he said.
Mr Png, the youngest in a family of six, said he was brought up in a "rough neighbourhood".
He has been involved in Hougang since 2006, looking after the welfare of needy residents.
Mr Png said his management style is different from Mr Low's, adding that he likes to listen.
He said issues he wishes to highlight include upgrading for the estate and transportation.
Mr Png added that Hougang residents know the importance of having an opposition.
He said: "I mean you look at it -- for 20 years, they wanted a voice, they want a unique voice. I want to be that voice for them. Policies -- as I visited the estate, I do get feedback from them (on the) cost of living, transport, these are things that I can highlight to them."
The Hougang by-election is expected to be a straight fight between the PAP and the Workers' Party.
Mr Tharman said: "Mr Low is clearly confident, I would say ultra-confident, having held Hougang for 20 years. But we shouldn't trivialise the election process.
"I don't think you can say that it doesn't matter if a candidate turns out to be irresponsible, doesn't matter what he is like. If something goes wrong and after a few weeks you can't get an answer, 'we sack him and hope for a by-election, don't worry, we will produce a new candidate'. That trivialises what has happened."
The Hougang by-election was called after the seat was vacated by WP's Yaw Shin Leong after he was expelled from the party in February.
