Daily Lessons from Life 26 May 2012 - Workers' Party wins Hougang by-election

"Workers' Party wins Hougang by-election - AsiaOne May 26, 2012

SINGAPORE - The Workers' Party (WP) has won the Hougang by-election.

Mr Png Eng Huat, 50, chairman of the Hougang Constituency Committee, beat the People Action Party's Desmond Choo, 34.

This is the second loss for Mr Choo, who was beaten in the 2011 General Election by Yaw Shin Leong.


The final results showed that WP had won the by-election with 13,447 votes, out of a total of 21, 657 votes. It obtained 62.09 per cent of the eligible votes cast. 294 votes were spoilt.

PAP got 8, 210 votes. Mr Choo obtained 37.91 per cent of the votes, two per cent higher than what he had won last year.


At the Hougang PAP branch, Mr Choo thanked Hougang residents for having faith in him. He said it is always disappointing to lose the election.

"Change is a process that sometimes is a long journey. I'm very glad that the process to change had started.


"I would like to congratulate Mr Png Eng Huat. He has worked very hard and he fully deserves to be elected," he added.

Mr Choo said that he has no regrets on how this campaign has come about.


At the press conference, DPM Teo Chee Hean spoke after Mr Choo, congratulating Mr Png and said he looks forward to Mr Png's contribution in parliament.

"I'm also encouraged that there have been more voters in Hougang who have supported Desmond's vision of a new future," said DPM Teo."

A sigh of relief really. Much was not that well within the Workers Party, and were on public display too. So, I did have 2nd thought and fear that the PAP may just wrestle the 'bastion of Singapore democracy' from the WP!

Lessons for me are:

1. the campaign by both candidates were civil and respectful. Though there were some controversies on the NCMP issue and if WP has put forward its BEST CANDIDATE. It is NOW water under the bridge. Yet, such doubt must be cleared in Mr Png's performance as a Parliamentarian going forward;

2. Mr Png's 'victory' press conference was less than stellar really as I watched him. He tried to speak in Mandarin 1st but was stuck. His English presentation was not as inspirational as one might expect. He has stepped into the hot seat and he will be scrutinized much more than ever before. I hope he will pull up his socks and REALLY get going. His performance in parliament HAS TO be better than this victory press conference. He MUST.

3. as for Mr Choo's thank you speech. I detected a sense of resignation though there were positives to take away. The most significant one is that he has gained 2+% from last GE in May 2011. This augusts well for him IF he wants to continue the fight in Hougang. Another of his colleague, Mr Sitoh, took more than 12 years to take the seat from Mr Chiam See Tong. It can be done IF WP and its candidates do not measure up. Notes: Mr Choo could have alluded to the fight of Mr Sitoh to inspire his supporters (yes?)

A positive sign for democracy in Singapore. Much work remains to be done - by the PAP, WP and the 1st world voters themselves.