GE WP takes Hougang, PAP wins 11 SMCs - Channel NewsAsia

GE WP takes Hougang, PAP wins 11 SMCs - Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE: The opposition has won the Hougang Single-Member Constituency (SMC) while the People's Action Party (PAP) took the remaining 11 single-seat constituencies in the General Election.

Mr Yaw Shin Leong from the opposition Workers' Party won against PAP's Desmond Choo in Hougang, taking 64.81 per cent of the valid votes.

Mr Yaw said: "This is very humbling moment for me.

"It is very humbling because the people of Hougang has not just voted with their hearts, but also their minds.

"Because they know Hougang has a role to play. This role has nationalistic importance. For this victory and mandate, I want to thank one person, my mentor Mr Low Thia Khiang".

He added that the victory in Hougang was not his, nor the WP's.

"This victory is for the people of Hougang and fellow Singaporeans, who believe there is a need for us to strive towards the politics of balance in Singapore".

The People's Action Party (PAP) meanwhile won 11 SMCs.

PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin took Potong Pasir, beating Singapore's People's Party (SPP)'s Lina Chiam by a margin of 114 votes.

In his victory speech, Mr Sitoh said: "My dear voters of Potong Pasir, I would like to thank Mr Chiam for the 27 years of service for Potong Pasir.I would like to thank Mrs Chiam for giving me a fair contest. I wish them both happiness and good health.

"Now more importantly, I would like to thank the 50 per cent of voters. This is the beginning of a new journey for Potong Pasir.

"I will fulfil every single promise.

In Mountbatten, PAP's candidate Lim Biow Chuan beat National Solidarity Party (NSP) candidate Jeannette Chong-Aruldoss, winning 58.65 per cent of valid votes.

Mr Lim, a lawyer, has been an MP since 2006.

Mountbatten is a new ward carved out of Marine Parade GRC.

Meanwhile, PAP's Heng Chee How won Whampoa SMC against National Solidarity Party's (NSP) Ken Sun.

Mr Heng said: "By giving me your votes, I have served you for the last two terms and you have given me an opportunity to continue to serve you.

"I will continue to do my level best and I will listen to you and work with you because Whampoa is our home and we will make it the best home for all our residents.

"Look at the plans in terms of infrastructure and amenities improvement - details have been announced.

"I have got very concrete plans. It will be a totally resident centric.

"Over the last 10 years, I have tried my best to work in Whampoa with my residents not as a political constituency but as a community and a home.

"It is this relationship that has enabled me to reach out to our residents".

Mr Heng is a trade unionist and has been an MP since 2001.

Whampoa is a new ward carved out of the former Jalan Besar GRC.

In Radin Mas, PAP's candidate Sam Tan beat NSP's Yip Yew Meng.

Mr Tan received 18,591 votes, while Mr Yip got 9,110 votes.

Mr Tan, in his victory speech, said he would work harder to serve the residents at Radin Mas better.

He also thanked them for their strong support so "I can serve you for the next five years".

"We will organise more community activities to reach out more to residents," he said.

Mr Tan is senior parliamentary secretary and has been an MP since 2006.

Radin Mas is a new ward carved out of Tanjong Pagar GRC.

The PAP also won the single seat in Bukit Panjang. Its candidate for the SMC Teo Ho Pin beat Singapore Democratic Party's Alec Tok.

Dr Teo won 66.26 per cent of the votes.

The PAP has also won Joo Chiat SMC, by a slim majority of 51.01 per cent.

PAP candidate Charles Chong beat WP's Yee Jenn Jong.

Mr Chong thanked his supporters and voters of Joo Chiat SMC despite being new in Joo Chiat.

He said has the next four to five years to win the residents over.

In Hong Kah North, PAP's Amy Khor beat Singapore People's Party (SPP) candidate Sin Kek Tong by a wide margin.

Dr Khor received 70.61 per cent of the votes, while SPP got 29.39 per cent.

Hong Kah North, a newly carved SMC, had more than 25,000 voters.

Dr Khor is Minister of State and Mayor and Member of Parliament (MP) since 2001, while Mr Sin is a Managing Director.

In Yuhua, PAP's Grace Fu won 66.87% of the valid votes against Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) Teo Soh Lung.

In Sengkang West, PAP's Lam Pin Min won 58.08% of the valid votes against Workers' Party's Koh Choong Yong.

Meanwhile, PAP's Cedric Foo won in Pioneer SMC against NSP's Steve Chia. Mr Foo took 60.73% of the valid votes.

The only ward which saw a three-cornered fight this GE was Punggol East SMC. The PAP won 54.53 per cent, while WP and SDA received 41.02 per cent and 4.45 per cent respectively.

-CNA/wk