Unfazed by by-election defeat, Koh Poh Koon says he is now ‘more prepared’

SINGAPORE — Following his defeat in the 2013 Punggol East by-election, colorectal surgeon Koh Poh Koon said today (Aug 15) that he is more prepared for the coming polls as part of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s team in Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency.

The 43-year-old father of two felt that he did not have enough time to engage residents in the lead-up to the by-election. As such, the last 10 months which he spent working the ground in the Yio Chu Kang division was “really beneficial and helpful”, he said.

Dr Koh acknowledged that he may not have given the best impression of himself in his previous electoral contest. Noting that he was making his political debut, he said that his choice of words then were not appropriate and could have been misconceived, and as a result, public perception of him was affected. But having been on the ground "for some time" and with Yio Chu Kang residents having had the opportunity to know him better, the interaction so far has been "positive", he said.

On whether he was concerned that the negative perception could still linger, Dr Koh said he will serve residents with his heart and leave it to them to come to their own opinions about him. “It’s more important that we do what we need to do on the ground, to let residents have first-hand contact (with me) and form their own opinions rather than leave it to the online space to shape our character,” he added.

In the Punggol East by-election, Dr Koh garnered 43.7 per cent of the votes in a four-cornered contest that was won by Workers' Party's Lee Li Lian, who received 54.5 per cent of the votes.  

On the redeployment of Dr Koh to Ang Mo Kio GRC, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who anchors the constituency, said the party decides where to deploy its candidates to better serve voters’ interests.

Dr Koh said that following his defeat in the by-election, he had given much thought about remaining in politics. “I think as in healthcare, … we need to persevere and … whether it’s patients or residents, to get them better no matter how they behave and what the outcomes are. So for me, while there were initial setbacks, I’ve reconciled that and I’ve decided that the desire is still there … to continue to  serve Singapore,” he said. 

At the press conference to introduce the PAP candidates, Dr Koh said that despite growing up in a family of seven where his father had to take up two jobs to support them, he still had access to opportunities and good education. “This availability of opportunities has strengthened my desire and determination to also do my part to enable those who have less to also achieve their fullest potential. As a doctor I’ve often encountered families and patients who, on top of the medical issues, also face other challenges in life… I’m determined to do more to help our people succeed,” he said.