People's Action Party member of parliament (MP) Sitoh Yih Pin announced today that he would be standing again in the Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency (SMC) in the upcoming General Elections.
51 year-old Mr Sitoh has been the MP of Potong Pasir since he won against the Singapore People's Party’s (SPP) Lina Chiam in the 2011 General Election by just 114 votes. It was his third attempt contesting the seat, having staged unsuccessful election campaigns there in 2001 and 2006.
Prior to 2011, Potong Pasir had been an Opposition ward for 27 years with Mr Chiam See Tong as its MP. Mr Chiam left the ward to contest neighbouring Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the 2011 GE.
"I went back to look at our manifesto for 2011. We promised many things and I'm happy to report we fulfilled them all - both hardware and 'heartware'," said Mr Sitoh at the Monday morning press conference. He cited the lift upgrading, home improvement and neighbourhood renewal programmes as examples.
Asked about his relationship with Mr Chiam, Mr Sitoh said he makes it a point to meet up with the SPP veteran whenever he visits the ward.
"I've known Mr and Mrs Chiam for 15 years now and I have enormous respect for him. Mr Chiam's 27 years of legacy is intact. I have no intention to replicate it.
Mrs Chiam, who is currently a Non-Constituency Member of Parliament, has said she will return to contest Potong Pasir in the next GE. Former National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general and lawyer Tan Lam Siong has also thrown his hat into the ring, declaring that he will be contesting the ward as an independent candidate.
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