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PAP wins Bukit Batok by-election with 61.2% of the vote

SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Saturday (May 7) broke its losing streak in by-elections for single-seat wards at the fourth try, when it retained the Bukit Batok Single-Member Constituency (SMC) with 61.2 per cent of the vote.

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SINGAPORE — The People’s Action Party (PAP) on Saturday (May 7) broke its losing streak in by-elections for single-seat wards at the fourth try, when it retained the Bukit Batok Single-Member Constituency (SMC) with 61.2 per cent of the vote.

However, the win by long-time PAP activist Murali Pillai, 48, against Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan, 53, saw a 12-percentage-point swing against the ruling party which was attributed by PAP leaders to the by-election effect  where opposition candidates traditionally have an edge because voters know the Government will not change.

Minutes after the results were announced at 11.28pm by Returning Officer Ng Wai Choong, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong congratulated Mr Murali on his victory in a Facebook post, and thanked Bukit Batok voters for their “strong support”. “You have chosen an MP who is committed, trustworthy, and will go the extra mile for you,” said Mr Lee in a post on his Facebook page. “This is not just a win for Bukit Batok, but shows all Singaporeans, and others too, that the government and people are united in building a better nation together.”

At a press conference held at the PAP branch office in Bukit Batok after the results were announced, Mr Murali took questions flanked by long-time volunteers, while party bigwigs  second assistant secretary-general Tharman Shanmugaratnam, organising secretary Chan Chun Sing and central executive committee Grace Fu  stayed at the back of the room. Mr Murali said he was humbled and encouraged by the results. “I’m certainly not feeling triumphant,” he said, as he thanked Bukit Batok voters. He added that he will immediately get to work and roll out his “ambitious plans” for the constituency. “There’s much to be done. I will start tomorrow,” said Mr Murali, adding that he will hold his first Meet-the-People session on Monday.

The “well-organised campaign” run by Dr Chee and the SDP, he added, helped him better articulate his plans. “I will serve everybody, irrespective of their political affiliation,” he stressed.

Dr Chee, who was contesting his fifth constituency in as many elections, garnered 38.8 per cent in what was his best showing to date. The result was also the second highest vote share attained by the SDP in any constituency since the 1991 General Election (GE) where it won three parliamentary seats.

Addressing supporters at Bukit Gombak stadium, Dr Chee, accompanied by his wife on stage, said he was touched and honoured by the outcome. “This doesn’t quite feel like a defeat,” said Dr Chee, who fell just short of equalling the SDP’s best performance in a constituency in recent years — in the 2011 GE, when an SDP team led by Mr Tan Jee Say took 39.9 per cent of the vote in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC.

Promising that he would still be a presence in Bukit Batok to “persuade” those who did not vote for him, Dr Chee added: “I want to bow but not in defeat, but bow with grace. (I) thank again everyone who worked so hard to make this situation a possibility...We go out with our head held high.”

In the GE held in September last year, the PAP won the Bukit Batok seat with 73 per cent of the vote. The by-election was triggered by the abrupt resignation of former Member of Parliament David Ong on March 12 due to an alleged extramarital affair. The writ of election was issued on April 20. Following nine days of campaigning and a Cooling-Off Day, Bukit Batok voters went to the polls on Saturday.

Of the 25,727 voters in the constituency, 23,570 valid votes cast were cast, while there were 622 spoilt votes. About 1.5 hours after the polls closed at 8pm, the sample count was announced with Mr Murali garnering 61 per cent of the vote and Dr Chee receiving 39 per cent of the vote. But it would be another two hours before the final count was released.

Before Saturday’s victory, the PAP had lost in three straight SMC by-elections in Anson (1981), Hougang (2012) and Punggol East (2013).

Speaking to reporters after PAP’s press conference, Ms Fu noted that it was usual to have a tough fight in a by-election. “It was a good fight, and a good win,” she said of Mr Murali’s victory. Echoing the same sentiment, Mr Chan stressed that it was “never easy (for the PAP) to win a by-election”. “For us to cross the 61-per-cent mark, I think that speaks a lot for the confidence that the residents have in Murali’s leadership and also the teamwork by the Jurong family, so we are happy.” Mr Tharman also said he was thrilled with the result. Mr Murali did “stronger than expected”, he added.

Bukit Batok residents interviewed by TODAY cited Mr Murali’s 16-year involvement with the constituency and expressed hope that he would continue Mr Ong’s work.

Mr Melvin Soh, 27, a entrepreneur, said: “People listened to what Dr Chee said but I think they chose Mr Murali because I don’t think there was a sense of discord (among residents) with Mr David Ong. I think they thought things were going well and he (Mr Murali) can continue some of these things.”

Mr Periyasamy Muthukannan, 46, called Mr Murali part of the constituency’s “family”. “We’re very happy with (the election result). We know he will definitely support Bukit Batok residents with his whole heart.” ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY NEO CHAI CHIN, SIAU MING EN, LAURA PHILOMIN AND VALERIE KOH

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