SINGAPORE — Eric Low, former People’s Action Party (PAP) General Election candidate for Hougang, was a “loyal, totally reliable stalwart” of the party, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a tribute after Low's death on Tuesday (Jan 3).

In a condolences letter addressed to Low’s wife, Mr Lee, who is also the secretary-general of the ruling party, described the two-time General Election candidate at the Opposition stronghold as someone who contested “with an outstanding fighting spirit”.

“He knew how tough an assignment he had to win over the ward, but he was determined to put up the strongest fight possible.”

Low — who has a wife, son and daughter — died due to natural causes at the age of 75, his family said when TODAY visited his wake on Wednesday.

Mr Lee also outlined some of Low’s contributions in the constituency and highlighted his achievements, including the PAP’s Meritorious Service Medal and national awards Public Service Medal, Public Service Star and Public Service Star - Bar.

Mr Lee and his wife Ho Ching arrived at the wake at about 6pm to pay their last respects to Low and spent about half an hour there speaking to his family members. 

The wake was held at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Upper Thomson.

Low’s son Eugene, 33, said that other political leaders who came to pay their last respects to his father included current Cabinet ministers Teo Chee Hean, Vivian Balakrishnan and Grace Fu, as well as former Cabinet ministers George Yeo, Lim Hng Kiang and Lim Swee Say, along with some former Members of Parliament (MP).

Former Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang also paid a visit earlier on Wednesday, Mr Eugene Low told TODAY.

Hougang, a single-seat constituency, has been under WP for more than 30 years.

Mr Low Thia Khiang was MP for Hougang from 1991 to 2011, defeating PAP’s Eric Low in the 2001 and 2006 General Elections.

In 2001, Mr Low Thia Khiang beat Eric Low with 54.98 per cent of the vote and in 2006, it was with 62.74 per cent of the vote.

Responding to TODAY's queries, WP confirmed that Mr Low Thia Khiang had attended the wake on Wednesday afternoon.

Mr Eugene Low said that although his father and Mr Low Thia Khiang were competitors, there was “never any hostility” between them.

Tampines Group Representation Constituency parliamentarian Desmond Choo and PAP’s Hougang candidate in the latest election Lee Hong Chuang were among those who paid tribute to Eric Low on Facebook.

Mr Choo described Eric Low as an old friend who was also “passionate in his ground activism and loving towards whoever needed his help”.

Mr Lee Hong Chuang talked about Eric Low’s work in Hougang and said that he had benefited from the late PAP member’s wisdom.

Outside his work for PAP, Eric Low took up roles such as being vice-chairman of the National Crime Prevention Council from 1988 to 2012 and the honorary general secretary of the National Council of Social Service from 1990 to 2001, PAP’s newsletter Petir stated.

Speaking to TODAY, Mr Eugene Low described his father as a “well-loved family man who always puts his family first”, adding that his father was also a people’s person.

He recounted how he had helped his father knock on doors when the latter made his rounds visiting residents in Hougang, describing it as a way to spend time and “hang out” with his father.

Grassroots members who turned up at the wake conveyed to the family their appreciation for Eric Low’s good work, his son said.

The family was thankful for their visits, which have helped them to cope with the sudden loss.

“We will definitely miss him,” his son added.