PM Lee congratulates Workers' Party on by-election win, calls on people to come together as one

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says he respects the choice of Punggol East voters and congratulates Ms Lee Li Lian and the Workers' Party for winning this by-election. 

In a statement, he said the PAP fielded a good candidate: Dr Koh Poh Koon. 

He showed character and courage in contesting this election, and did the party proud. 

Mr Lee added that in a by-election, the governing party candidate always has a tougher fight. 

He said voters see it as choosing an MP, not choosing a government, and opposition parties encourage them to do so. 

Mr Lee said the government must continue to govern. 

Its plans and programmes are already in progress. 

But they are geared towards the longer term, and will take time to show results. 

Mr Lee said the PAP will continue to work to improve the lives of Singaporeans, and present its report card for voters to judge in the next general election. 

He added that he intends to field Dr Koh again in a future election, so that he can be part of the PAP's team to serve Singapore.

Mr Lee also said that now that the Punggol East by-election is over, Singaporeans should re-focus on national issues with a heavy agenda coming up: The White Paper on Population will soon be debated in Parliament, and Budget 2013 is less than a month away. 

He asked for all Singaporeans to come together as one people to do their best for Singapore.