PAP’s Koh thanks voters who have voted for him

SINGAPORE: The People’s Action Party’s candidate Dr Koh Poh Koon has thanked the voters of Punggol East who have voted for and supported him.

He made the statement at a news conference on Saturday night after the by—election, which was won by the Workers’ Party’s candidate Ms Lee Li Lian.

Dr Koh added that he would like to continue serving.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who was also at the news conference, said the Punggol East by—election was a difficult one from the start.

He said this by—election was fraught with difficult circumstances from the start. Despite the loss, he congratulated the Workers’ Party Lee Li Lian for winning. He added that voters have made their decision and the People’s Action Party respects that.

"We always knew that it was going to be difficult because it is a by—election. We came to this by—election and there were circumstances already when we came into this by—election and of course, there were local issues as well so we knew it was going to be a difficult election because of that," he said.

Mr Teo cited the disruption in the Rivervale Plaza upgrading as one of the circumstances which annoyed residents.

In a statement, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong concedes that the governing party’s candidate always has a tougher fight in a by—election.

Despite the results, he said the government must continue to govern and put in place plans for the long term. Mr Lee said People’s Action Party candidate Dr Koh Poh Koon did the party proud.

The Prime Minister said he wants to field Dr Koh in a future election so that he can be part of Mr Lee’s team to serve Singapore.

With the Punggol East by—election over, Prime Minister Lee called on Singaporeans to re—focus on national issues and come together as one people.

— CNA/al/ck