SPP’s Lina Chiam to contest in Potong Pasir SMC in upcoming GE

SINGAPORE — Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Lina Chiam will return to contest Potong Pasir SMC under Singapore People’s Party’s (SPP) banners in the upcoming election, she told 938LIVE today (July 28).

“The SPP will not budge and I’ll still be standing in Potong Pasir even if it’s a three-cornered fight. Because I promised the people of Potong Pasir that I’ll return and I shall return,” Mrs Chiam said.

“I’ll be continuing to do what is needed for the residents of Potong Pasir regarding feedback, whatever improvements that they want to that still needed to be done. I’ll be continuing to do the work that was left by Mr Chiam.”

Potong Pasir SMC was helmed by her husband Chiam See Tong for 27 years. Mrs Chiam lost to incumbent MP Sitoh Yih Pin, from the People’s Action Party, by just 114 votes in the 2011 General Election.

COMPETITION FOR VOTES LIKELY FIERCE

As the smallest constituency with about 17,000 voters, competition for votes in Potong Pasir could be fierce, with opposition parties expressing a strong interest in contesting the seat. The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had earlier said they plan to challenge PAP there.

The DPP’s secretary-general, Mr Benjamin Pwee, is optimistic regardless of how many people stand.

“If we have one very strong opposition candidate that can stand up against the PAP, it will ultimately be a two-man fight and not a three-cornered fight. But definitely we feel that it would be wonderful to have a very strong alternative candidate that can stand in Potong Pasir against Sitoh Yih Pin and win Potong Pasir back from the PAP,” said Mr Pwee.

Residents 938LIVE spoke to were enthusiastic about the opportunity to have a choice.

Ms Koh Kwee Puey, 43, who has been living in the constituency for about 10 years, said competition is good. “I still hope to have opposition parties come. I mean, in every election I’d say that I hope to see somebody to come and challenge,” she said.

But 29-year-old resident Mohamad Azmi, who has lived in Potong Pasir all his life, hopes to see just one party challenge the PAP.

“I think one should be enough. It’s much simpler for us to choose rather than complicate things. I’d rather a one-to-one fight than a multi-cornered fight. Because Potong Pasir people know what they really want so I think it’ll be a 50-50 chance,” he said.

FACILITIES BROUGHT IN NOT UNNOTICED

Since the PAP won the election in 2011, more facilities have been brought in, and residents like Justin Ngien, who has lived in Potong Pasir for more than 25 years, said the changes have not gone unnoticed.

“There are a lot more linkways, there’s a new establishment of the NTUC and the bank facilities which is very good. I think one of the greatest improvements is on the individual lift landing that’s been very helpful. I live in a corner unit so it has been difficult to move around on the 7th floor for many years, because of the stairs,” he said.

Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin said more is in the pipeline if he is re-elected.

“Our responsibility and focus and our attention must be to the residents and the voters there. While we have done a lot in the last four-and-a-half years, both in terms of hardware and software, a lot more needs to be done in the next five years,” said Mr Sitoh. “So when the election comes, I hope our voters can give me another opportunity to complete the journey we have started.” 938LIVE