PAP’s new face in Fengshan thwarts challenge from WP
Ms Cheryl Chan of the PAP with other PAP candidates from East Coast GRC, including Mr Lee Yi Shyan (left) and Mr Lim Swee Say (right), yesterday. Ms Chan replaces former Cabinet minister Raymond Lim, who is retiring from politics. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong
SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) yesterday (Sept 11) successfully fended off the Workers’ Party’s (WP) challenge for the single-seat ward of Fengshan, which had been carved out of the East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the polls.
PAP candidate Cheryl Chan had been expected to face a strong challenge from WP candidate Dennis Tan. However, Ms Chan ended up securing a comfortable victory, by winning 57.5 per cent of the votes when the results were announced slightly before midnight.
Ms Chan and Mr Tan visited both counting centres at Anglican High School and Bedok Green Secondary School, with Mr Tan leaving after the results were announced.
Ms Chan, 39, a long-time grassroots volunteer, said the results “show the confidence of the residents”.
“They can expect me to continue serving them to the best of my abilities ... My opponent is a respectable person, but this is what the results say,” she told reporters at Bedok Stadium.
“I have been confident all the way because my activists and the residents have been supportive throughout.”
She added that they will start by walking the ground, and will hold her first Meet-the-People Session next Monday.
Ms Chan has been involved in grassroots work in Fengshan and served as a member on the Citizens’ Consultative Committee and the East Coast Town Council.
She is the first new face in the PAP to be fielded in a single-member constituency since the GRC system was introduced in 1988. She is replacing former Cabinet minister Raymond Lim, who is retiring from politics.
The WP’s Mr Tan said he was disappointed with the results, but respects the residents’ decision.
“That is the beauty of democracy ... We need to study the results as a party, and look at the national results ... We certainly feel that we have done our best. We need to find out what more we can do and we will take it from there,” said the 45-year-old shipping lawyer.
He added that the overall results looked like a “national swing”.
“I am a bit surprised, but I’m sure the party will study it in good time, and we will learn our lessons from there and make decisions on how to improve things.”
“It seems like an obstacle to the progress of democracy in Singapore,” Mr Tan added in Mandarin.
Mr Tan said he hopes to continue to work the ground in Fengshan. For the past two years, he has been visiting residents at Fengshan and East Coast with the WP candidates for the GRC.
“Although the people of Fengshan have not chosen me as their representative, if the party agrees, and God willing, I will be happy to continue my house visits in Fengshan, get to know more residents and hope to win their support eventually,” Mr Tan said.
“It’s been a wonderful experience and it makes me much more confident of doing this again, if I am allowed to.”
On whether he would take up the position as a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, Mr Tan said he will consult the party before making a decision.
He plans to take a break after this, and will continue to serve as a member of the WP’s central executive council (CEC).
“In fact, nothing much will change ... It is my calling to serve Singapore in politics, particularly in the WP. Elections are only part of it. Win or lose, I am still a CEC member of the WP and the party still continues to serve Singapore and provides a strong, rational alternative for Singapore. And I am part of the leadership and we will continue to do our best,” he added.
WP supporters interviewed at a coffee shop at Blk 123, Bedok North Street 2, which is frequented by WP supporters in Fengshan, were disappointed with the results.
Mr Fendi Chan, 53, said: “I feel that someone needs to stand up and speak for us in Parliament. However, maybe we can see what the PAP candidate can do for Fengshan for the next five years.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NOAH TAN AND MARISSA YEO
