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PAP and SDP square off in first rallies of Bukit Batok by-election

SINGAPORE - Campaigning for the Bukit Batok by-election stepped up a notch Friday night as the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) held concurrent rallies in the single member ward.

Singapore Democratic Party's Chee Soon Juan (left) and People's Action Party's Murali Pillai at their first rallies on April 29, 2016. Photo: Wee Teck Hian and Jason Quah/TODAY

Singapore Democratic Party's Chee Soon Juan (left) and People's Action Party's Murali Pillai at their first rallies on April 29, 2016. Photo: Wee Teck Hian and Jason Quah/TODAY

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SINGAPORE - Campaigning for the Bukit Batok by-election stepped up a notch Friday night as the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) held concurrent rallies in the single member ward.

The two candidates - PAP’s Murali Pillai, 48, and the SDP’s Chee Soon Juan, 53 - made their case to a mass audience in the ward for the first time, while stalwarts from the respective parties took turns to lend support and attack the rival camp.

Mr Murali, a lawyer, pledged to put the district first, saying: “When there is any clash between my interest and Bukit Batok’s, Bukit Batok will always come first.”

He also stressed that, if elected, he would have the support of his fellow Members of Parliament in the neighbouring Jurong Group Representative Constituency, including Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. Mr Tharman was among several PAP heavyweights who turned to support Mr Murali at the Bukit Gombak stadium on Friday (April 29) night.

However, Dr Chee, speaking at a field along Bukit Batok Industrial Park A, argued that Mr Murali would be beholden to the PAP and its leaders. Residents should pick him, Dr Chee argued, because he only had the electorate to answer to.

“As your MP, I would dedicate myself full time...to the proper management of the Town Council,” said the Opposition veteran. “PAP MPs only work part-time for you.”

Bukit Batok residents will go to the polls on May 7 to pick a new MP. The by-election was triggered by the abrupt resignation of the ward’s former MP David Ong due to an alleged extramarital affair.

Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu apologised to Bukit Batok residents for the by-election, and urged them to “get the better person into Parliament”.

“(Mr Murali) gets along with residents of all ages and all races and religions. He will serve residents of all races,” she said at the rally, adding that residents should be wary of candidates who might try to drum up support along racial lines.

Ms Fu also questioned whether the SDP and Dr Chee, who has been unemployed for many years, have the experience to run a Town Council. She added: “The work experience or the lack of it is a relevant fact when we consider the credentials of the candidates.”

SDP, for its part, sought to push back against suggestions that it descended on Bukit Batok only during election time. Dr Chee said being in Bukit Batok felt like “home”, while SDP Chairman Wong Souk Yee said the SDP has “walked the ground and listened to the people’s problems” for 36 years.

While serious speeches dominated the proceedings, the evening was was not without a touch of levity. Mr Murali, in his opening remarks, said in jest that a friend had suggested he should shave off his mustache in order to improve his chances of winning.

But he decided against it, adding that he was glad to see some of his supporters now sporting mustaches in a show of solidarity. “I’m not sure how Gillette, Braun and Schick would think about this development?” Mr Murali said in jest.

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