SINGAPORE — He had not considered himself a political activist, only a volunteer who was deeply concerned about how Singapore was governed, and where it was heading.

But People’s Action Party (PAP) candidate Koh Poh Koon chose to enter politics, because “as someone who’s benefitted from the system, I want to stand up and be counted”.

Speaking at his third and final rally of the Punggol East by-election last night, Dr Koh, 40, quoting a resident, said: “It’s easy to criticise. You just need a mouth. It’s harder to actually do something.”

He added that he has come in for a bit of stick since stepping forward as a PAP candidate: “I know very well that when I put on the white and white, and step into politics, there will be some negativity that will be cast on me, especially what you read on the Internet.”

But while he has been lambasted on the Internet for being out of touch, doing the groundwork has opened up a new perspective for him.

“Walking the ground for the last nine days has shown me that the real world out there is different from what is existing in cyberspace. I feel the warmth of people that I’ve touched, I feel the passion of people in Punggol East, I feel the warm reception,” said Dr Koh.

He stressed that the PAP has given residents “genuine help” over the years: “Many things have improved — from the amenities to the covered walkways to the overall environment of living here.”

He recounted the story of a resident, Mr Ng, whose children wrote to the ward’s former Member of Parliament Michael Palmer to request financial assistance after Mr Ng and his wife were hospitalised in 2011 following an accident. The PAP’s grassroots team put together assistance for Mr Ng’s family such as cash, vouchers, payment for utility bills and food packages. After the team spoke to medical social workers, the couple’s medical bills would also be fully covered by Medisave and Medifund.

The incident, said Dr Koh, showed him how he could do more as a politician than as a doctor: Helping people with more than just their medical problems, and help more people at one go.

Dr Koh, who devoted much of his campaign to addressing local concerns, also reiterated municipal plans to address existing gaps: Mobilise youth to assist the vulnerable, complete the upgrading of Rivervale Plaza, build a full-sized community centre, increase childcare places and improve transport connectivity, among others.

Posting on Facebook after his rally at around 11.40 last night, Dr Koh thanked Punggol East residents for sharing their concerns with him. “I hope voters will consider my concrete and actionable plans for Punggol East,” he said.