Chee hints at possible run in Bukit Batok by-election

SINGAPORE — Dr Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) has hinted that he might run in the upcoming Bukit Batok by-election, which has drawn strong interest from the Opposition parties even though a date has not been set.

"This is a prime opportunity for the voters of Bukit Batok to send us into Parliament, be the voice of Singapore, and to hold the government accountable," said Dr Chee, who told reporters on a walk about on Sunday morning that the party has not reached a final decision on its candidate, though he has not ruled out contesting the by-election himself.

He added: "There are so many questions, so many issues that affect the people. It is something that people will be wanting to see, an alternative voice in Parliament to speak up for them."

The ruling People's Action Party (PAP) won the Single Member Constituency by a landslide in last year's election. The PAP's candidate Mr David Ong won Bukit Batok with 73.02 per cent of the vote, beating out the SDP candidate Sadasivam Veriyah, who got 26.4 per cent of the vote, and independent candidate Samir Salim Neji, who received 0.6 per cent of the vote.

Mr Ong abruptly resigned as an MP on Saturday afternoon, citing "personal indiscretions". Multiple reports have linked his shock decision to an alleged extramarital affair with a fellow PAP member and grassroots volunteer.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a statement on Saturday that a by-election for Bukit Batok would be held in "due course". Experts said new polls could take place earliest by May, and may even happen in the third quarter of the year.

Wasting no time, the SDP declared within hours of Mr Ong's resignation that it will contest the by-election. Dr Chee also led a walk about in Bukit Batok on Sunday morning. He was accompanied by 20 SDP members, including Mr Sadasivam who contested in Bukit Batok last year. They shook hands with residents at Bukit Batok West Ave 6, and informed some of them that a by-election was coming.

Dr Chee, who led an SDP team that lost to the PAP in Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representative Constituency in last year's General Election, said he hopes for for a "one-on-one" contest with the ruling party in Bukit Batok.

Signs, however, are that Bukit Batok is headed for a multi-cornered fight. Mr Samir, the managing director of software firm Anaplan Asia and who won just 150 votes in last year's election, told Channel NewsAsia (CNA) that he would "very likely" throw his hat into the ring again. Democratic Progressive Party chief Benjamin Pwee also told CNA that he would run in the Bukit Batok by-election.

Dr Chee said the SDP has not reached out to the other parties, but "will be happy to discuss matters" if necessary.

The SDP chief declined to comment on Mr Ong's resignation, adding that the party will respect his wishes for privacy.