More political parties, individuals collect nomination papers for by—election

SINGAPORE: In growing signs of a possible multi—cornered fight for Punggol East, more political parties and individuals turned up on Friday at the Elections Department.

Hougang MP Png Eng Huat from the Workers’ Party (WP) was accompanied by WP’s organising secretary Ng Swee Bee.

They collected one set of nomination forms, and said the candidate would be unveiled in a few days.

Former Singapore People’s Party member Mohamad Hamim Aliyas collected one set of nomination forms for another former member of the party, Benjamin Pwee.

Mr Hamim said Mr Pwee is now in Hong Kong, and he will be back soon to decide if he’s running as an independent candidate.

The SPP later made it clear that the party does not intend to contest in the Punggol East by—election.

"The Singapore People’s Party wishes to state, for the last time, that we do not intend to contest in the Punggol East By—Election, nor have we ever intended to do so," said the statement from SPP’s Secretary General, Mr Chiam See Tong.

"We have been consistent on this issue, through statements made since the day the parliamentary seat was vacated on 12 December 2012," said the statement which the SPP pointed out was made "in view of erroneous reports in the mainstream media."

Reporters who have been staking out the Elections Department at Prinsep Street also spotted some familiar faces who dropped by to submit application forms for a Political Donation Certificate.

Among them was Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Secretary—General of The Reform Party, and the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Alex Yam, MP for Chua Chu Kang.

Mr Jeyaretnam said he collected the nomination forms on Thursday, and told reporters that he will be the candidate if The Reform Party decides to contest.

Mr Jeyaretnam said: "Our only consideration, really, is the welfare of the residents and whether we can do a good job as serving the residents of Punggol East."

PAP’s Mr Yam said: "I think the choice is for the voters to decide. It doesn’t matter how many people are contesting, as long as all of them are out to provide an alternative platform that voters are attracted to."

Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) member, Mr Jamal, submitted the political donation forms on behalf of Mr Desmond Lim and Mr Harminder Singh.

He added that the chosen candidate will be revealed "on Nomination Day itself".

— CNA/de/sf