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By-election a ‘barometer of WP’s performance’ too

SINGAPORE — The Punggol East by-election is a gauge of how well the Workers’ Party has done since the last General Election, according to WP candidate Lee Li Lian.

WP candidate Lee Li Lian met constituents at Kangkar LRT Station yesterday morning. Photo: June Yang

WP candidate Lee Li Lian met constituents at Kangkar LRT Station yesterday morning. Photo: June Yang

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SINGAPORE — The Punggol East by-election is a gauge of how well the Workers’ Party has done since the last General Election, according to WP candidate Lee Li Lian.

On Monday, WP Chairman Sylvia Lim had said the contest is a barometer of how Singaporeans feel about the Government’s performance since the elections in 2011.

Ms Lee was asked by reporters yesterday whether the same yardstick would apply to the WP. She said yes, and added that the by-election would show whether residents “have the confidence to give us the vote”.

Speaking to the media during a morning meet-and-greet session with residents at the Kangkar Light Rapid Transit (LRT) Station, Ms Lee was, however, very much focused on municipal issues.

Highlighting a shortage of feeder bus services in Punggol East, the WP candidate said that she will push for more such bus services if she is elected.

Ms Lee said the shortage has posed a problem for residents going to work.

Noting the rush-hour crowd waiting for the LRT trains, she said: “It seems people have to wait for two or three rounds before they can finally enter (a train) ... Feeder bus services can play a complementary role.”

Ms Lee hit the campaign trail at 7am yesterday to catch the working crowd. “These are the people who I would like to really speak up for — working families, young families, young couples,” she said.

“We will focus on their needs, bring up issues that they are concerned about,” she added.

Ms Lee also recounted how she met a couple on Wednesday who told her that, because of a lack of childcare options, they only see their child on weekends. During the weekdays, their parents take care of the child.

In contrast to Wednesday when she conducted house visits on her own, Ms Lee was accompanied yesterday by WP Members of Parliament Png Eng Huat, Chen Show Mao, Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap as well as Non-Constituency MP Yee Jenn Jong.

Mr Yee said party stalwarts will be helping Ms Lee in her campaign. “We will each cover our own area — own time, own target — over the nine days of campaigning,” he said.

The WP is involved in the second by-election in less than a year, having successfully defended its stronghold, Hougang, in February last year.

“Hougang is quite different because (residents there) know Mr Low,” said Mr Yee, referring to WP Chief Low Thia Kiang.

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