PAP won't push for facilities in Punggol East

Limit to what it can do for residents as its candidate was not elected: Teo Ser Luck

By Toh Yong Chuan, The Straits Times, 6 Feb 2013

THE People's Action Party (PAP) will stop pushing for new infrastructure projects in Punggol East, and end its weekly Meet-the-People sessions there.

Announcing the moves at a Punggol East community event last night after its by-election loss barely two weeks ago, Northeast Community Development Council (CDC) mayor Teo Ser Luck said there is a limit to what the PAP can do for residents of the single-seat ward given that its candidate was not elected to represent them.

Mr Teo was made caretaker MP after former Speaker Michael Palmer resigned last December over an extramarital affair, triggering the by-election which saw the Workers' Party's (WP) Lee Li Lian elected MP.

Last night, PAP candidate Koh Poh Koon said: "If you are not the MP, you do not necessarily have the resources and the full support of the people to carry out some of the things." 

He also said that to be fair to the incumbent MP, "we need to give her the space to do what she can for the residents, because that is the voters' decision".

The new facilities and improvements that the PAP will not be pushing for include childcare centres, integrated elder-care facilities, feeder bus services, wet markets and a community club. These were projects that Dr Koh campaigned on.

Its weekly MPS will cease immediately. Mr Teo said residents can approach Ms Lee if they need help to follow-up on cases the PAP handled. He expects the transition to be smooth, as the town council handover has been.

Mr Teo insists the PAP is not bailing out on Punggol East voters. The grassroots bodies will continue to run help schemes for needy residents, including monthly distribution of grocery packs and a new job placement centre under the CDC. He said he will remain the People's Association grassroots adviser in Punggol East, while Dr Koh heads the PAP branch there.

"I will still do what I can as branch chair, to help out in activities that would benefit residents," said Dr Koh.

Residents' activities including festive celebrations will continue, although on a smaller scale.

Mr Teo would not be drawn into comparing Punggol East with Hougang, where the PAP's Mr Desmond Choo, who lost in a by-election last May, still meets residents weekly.

Former nominated MP Siew Kum Hong was not surprised by the move: "This was going to come eventually. As Workers' Party becomes stronger, the PAP will want voters to understand that their votes have consequences." But he says the move may not help the PAP win back Punggol East as "there is a general desire for more opposition in Parliament, no matter how good the PAP is".

Security officer Abdul Malek, 45, was surprised when told of the move. He is glad the help schemes will continue. The father of four school-going children earns $1,850 each month and receives monthly grocery packs from the Citizens' Consultative Committee.

"Some residents will continue to need help, regardless of the election outcome," he said.