WP ready for Punggol East by—election: Low Thia Khiang

SINGAPORE: The Workers’ Party (WP) Secretary General Low Thia Khiang said the party is ready to contest the by—election in Punggol East.

Mr Low said his party will announce the candidate in due course and added that the logistics are ready for the by—election.

Speaking to the media before the start of his Meet—the—People session on Wednesday evening, Mr Low said that it is good that the prime minister has decided to call a by—election as soon as possible.

He said it is fair so that residents of Punggol East can have a representative of their own.

He said: "It is logical for the PAP to call and settle the by—election issue in Punggol East as soon as possible. PAP is the incumbent in Punggol, they have an advantage being an incumbent unlike Hougang, thereby it is logical for the prime minister to settle it and call (a by—election) as fast as possible before any party can further entrench and establish themselves there."

Mr Low said he does not want to speculate on the results but said that the voters have seen what the party can offer and will leave it up them to decide.

On the possibility of facing a six—cornered fight, Mr Low said so far there are no plans to have a joint meeting with other opposition parties who have voiced their interest to contest in the ward.

When asked if the recent saga involving Aljunied—Hougang Town Council and Action Information Management (AIM) will have an impact on the by—election, Mr Low said: "I welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement to review the town councils’ fundamentals as well as to investigate. I welcome the response to the issues the Workers’ Party have raised to the attention of Singaporeans."

The party has issued a call for volunteers to help with the by—election.

— CNA/xq