SDA fields Desmond Lim as its candidate for by—election

SINGAPORE: The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) has chosen Mr Desmond Lim Bak Chuan as its candidate for the Punggol East by—election.

It said in a statement on Tuesday that its campaign slogan for Mr Lim is ’Dedicated Local, Determined Leader’.

It added that Mr Lim is "armed to make a difference and cause potential ripples on the grounds of Punggol East".

On why he’s making a comeback despite his defeat in the 2011 General Election, when he lost his election deposit of S$16,000, Mr Lim said the experience boosted his determination to come back bigger and better.

"Ordinarily, another person in my shoes would throw in the towel after the forfeit, and swear off politics. But for me, that incident boosted my determination to come back bigger and better the next round," he said in the statement.

The SDA said Mr Lim’s ’Never Say Die’ attitude has earned him a place in the hearts of many Punggol East residents.

It added that he will reach out to residents with a personal approach.

Mr Lim made his round of the ward on Tuesday, visiting residents in their homes.

If elected, Mr Lim plans to set aside a third of his allowance as a Member of Parliament to start an insurance scheme for residents.

He also wants to make improving infrastructure in Punggol top on his list.

"(The) priority now is that we, here, Punggol East, need a hawker centre, to solve the traffic issue, to have more buses, to increase the number of childcare centre. Brighten the place," he said.

On the national front, Mr Lim is proposing that HDB flats be sold to lower—income Singaporeans at cost price.

Mr Lim said he is not intimidated by various calls to back off from contesting in the by—election, despite the Singapore Democratic Party’s decision to do so in order to avoid a multi—cornered fight.

— CNA/ck/ir