GE A new chapter has opened, says George Yeo - Channel NewsAsia

GE A new chapter has opened, says George Yeo - Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: The Workers' Party (WP) -- led by its Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang -- has won the hotly contested Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

The win puts the most number of opposition members into Parliament.

WP won 54.71 per cent of the votes, leaving the People's Action Party (PAP) with 45.29 per cent.

This means the PAP team has lost three office holders -- Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo, Second Minister for Finance and Transport Lim Hwee Hua, and Senior Minister of State Zainul Abidin Rasheed.

WP chief Low said in his victory speech: "This is a political landmark in Singapore. You have cast doubts and fears and taken a leap of faith.

"Your votes tell us that Singapore is not just an economic success...but (also) your home.

"Your votes tell us that Singapore wants to mature as a democracy and tell the government that you want a responsible, inclusive and transparent government.

"You have entrusted us your mandate to serve you and we will do our best to honour your trust in us."

Meanwhile, Mr Yeo said: "Dear friends, my colleagues and I would like to congratulate Mr Low Thia Khiang and his colleagues.

"It was a great campaign. We fought hard but we had no regrets. And we respect the decision of the people of Aljunied.

"We want to thank the people of Aljunied for giving us the privilege to serve them all these years. We want to thank the thousands of supporters and grassroots leaders who have given us their affection.

"It was our great honour, our friendships will be life-long. A new chapter has opened in Singapore's history."

Along with WP chief Low Thia Khiang, WP chairman and law lecturer Sylvia Lim, corporate lawyer Chen Show Mao, freelance counsellor Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, and post-graduate law student Pritam Singh have now been elected as MPs.

Aljunied GRC was also hotly contested in 2006, with the PAP winning the GRC by a small margin. In 2006, the PAP won 56.1 per cent of the votes, while WP received 43.9 per cent.

-CNA/wk/ac