SINGAPORE — With 61.2 per cent of the votes cast in his favour, he now has “a good foundation” for putting into action his plans for the constituency, said the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) Murali Pillai.

Speaking at a press conference at the PAP Bukit Batok branch office some at around 11.40pm on Saturday (May 7) after the results were announced, Mr Murali, who won the by-election with 61.21 per cent of the votes, said he intends to get down to work immediately.

“I’m eager to build on the team, I want to make sure that we are able to deliver on the plans,” said the 48-year-old lawyer, who had detailed plans for a job placement programme, a healthcare co-operative, a youth mentorship programme, and an additional eldercare centre in the area while campaigning.

“I am in a position to (move on all fronts) fairly rapidly, because I have already identified some partners,” he said, adding Bukit Batok residents expect him to do so. He will also attend his first Meet-the-People session on Monday.

Asked what he made of his mandate, Mr Murali said: “I think it’s a great result, it gives me a good foundation to build on the plans and I thank the Bukit Batok residents for giving me this mandate.”

As for whether he intended to attend Monday’s Parliament sitting, Mr Murali said: “Well I have no influence on the sitting order, but if the Speaker permits, then I will attend.”

While the PAP saw a 12-point drop in support compared to last year’s General Election, Mr Murali, pointing out he had contested in Aljunied GRC last year, said he was “used to razor-thin margins”.

“For me, I’ve said from the start, this will be a tough election being a by-election, and I’m really grateful for the results that have been announced. And I think it gives me encouragement, (but) certainly there’s lots of work to be done,” said Mr Murali, who also said he felt “encouraged” but not “triumphant”.

He thanked his Singapore Democratic Party opponent Chee Soon Juan and his party for their “well-organised campaign”, adding that they “helped me articulate my plans for our Bukit Batok residents much better”.

Mr Murali, who helmed the press conference with four of his branch activists while party heavyweights — among them Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing and Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Grace Fu — remained at the back the room, also thanked his campaign team, noting that the by-election had been unexpected.

His team, he said, had to spend time away from work and their families to help him. He wanted his branch activists — Mr Lim Boon Lye, Mr Tan Hansen, Ms Angelina Lim and Ms Noor Fatimah — alongside him at the press conference because some had worked with him, not just during the campaign, but right at the start when he first began serving Bukit Batok 16 years ago.

“So I’m really indebted to them for their hard work, making this come true,” said Mr Murali.

Mr Murali, who had spoken fondly of his father’s influence on him during his campaign, also ended the press conference on a personal note, by inviting his mother Mdm Vasanthi Ramadass to the front of the room, where he embraced her and presented her with flowers — to mark Mother’s Day, he said.