Latest news with #PotongPasirSMC
Independent Singapore
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Independent Singapore
SPP outperforms PAR at Potong Pasir, but PAP still beats out opposition, according to sample count
SINGAPORE: People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) chief Lim Tean is at risk of losing his election deposit, according to the sample count for Potong Pasir SMC that was released this evening (May 3). People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Alex Yeo took a massive lead margin of 71 per cent, according to the sample count. The Singapore People's Party (SPP), which has contested Potong Pasir SMC for years, saw candidate Williamson Lee get 21 per cent of the vote as per the sample count. According to the sample count, Mr Lim only received 8 per cent of the vote. The official results will come in later tonight. On Nomination Day, Mr Lim said he 'shall ask the residents of Potong Pasir for the greatest honour to be their elected Member of Parliament.' He added, 'Potong Pasir SMC is a historical constituency in opposition political history, and I hope to live up to the legacy of the legendary Chiam See Tong.' He, however, did not have Mr Chiam's blessing to contest his former ward. Mr Chiam made history in 1984 when he won Potong Pasir and became Singapore's second elected opposition MP after the late Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam. He held Potong Pasir for 27 years, from 1984 to 2011. Mr Chiam's party, the SPP, only lost Potong Pasir SMC to the ruling party in the 2011 general election when Mr Chiam took the risk of leaving his seat to lead a team contesting a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) – a gamble that did not pay off. Since 2011, the SPP has been faithfully walking the ground and has contested Potong Pasir SMC in every election, including this one. The party plans to field longtime Central Executive Committee (CEC) member Williamson Lee to carry on the fight for Potong Pasir this year. Given the SPP's longstanding presence in the ward, Mr Lim's decision to contest Potong Pasir came as a shock to some opposition supporters and triggered fears that he may lose his election deposit. Mr Lim is no stranger to three-cornered contests, although the efficacy of this strategy remains to be proven. In the 2020 general election, Mr Lim fielded a team to contest Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC in a three-corner fight, despite criticism over the fact that the Singapore Democratic Alliance had worked the ground there for years. The PV team was the only party to lose their deposit in that race, and some critics criticised the party for splitting the opposition's vote share.
CNA
23-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: Potong Pasir SMC set for three-cornered fight between PAP, SPP and PAR
SINGAPORE: Potong Pasir SMC will see a three-cornered fight in the upcoming General Election between the People's Action Party (PAP), the People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) and Singapore People's Party (SPP). After nomination papers were filed at Kong Hwa School on Wednesday (Apr 23), it was confirmed that PAP's Alex Yeo will go up against PAR secretary-general Lim Tean and SPP party treasurer Williamson Lee. The previous MP Sitoh Yih Pin, 61, announced his retirement from politics in an Instagram post shortly after the end of nomination proceedings at noon. He has served three terms in Potong Pasir since 2011, where his win that year ended the opposition's 27-year hold on Potong Pasir. Two precincts from Potong Pasir SMC were moved to Marine Parade GRC in the latest Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report. This adjustment came in response to rapid population growth from new developments in Bidadari.
CNA
22-04-2025
- Politics
- CNA
GE2025: SPP to field party treasurer Williiamson Lee in Potong Pasir SMC
SINGAPORE: The Singapore People's Party (SPP) will field treasurer Williiamson Lee in Potong Pasir SMC at the upcoming General Election, setting up a likely three-cornered fight in the former opposition stronghold. SPP secretary-general Steve Chia made the announcement in a media statement on Tuesday (Apr 22). Mr Lee, 46 had contested in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC in the 2020 polls, garnering 32.77 per cent of the vote against the People's Action Party (PAP) team. He will likely be up against PAP's Alex Yeo, 46, who will replace incumbent MP Sitoh Yih Pin, in Potong Pasir. Mr Yeo, a lawyer, stood for election in Aljunied GRC at the 2020 polls, has experience in both legal practice and grassroots engagement. He was previously the branch chairman of PAP's Paya Lebar division. Mr Sitoh, 61, is stepping down after serving three terms since 2011. His win that year ended the opposition's 27-year hold on the constituency. Former SPP chief Chiam See Tong left Potong Pasir that year to contest Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Mr Chiam, who turned 90 last month, stepped down from his leadership post at the party in 2019, handing the reins to Mr Chia. A three-cornered fight is expected in Potong Pasir SMC, with People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) also indicating that it could contest there. Mr Chia said last month he hoped to avoid a three-way contest in Potong Pasir and would reach out to PAR secretary-general Lim Tean to negotiate. However, Mr Lim announced last Friday that PAR will field 14 candidates at seven constituencies, including Potong Pasir SMC. SPP's Jose Raymond contested Potong Pasir in the 2020 election, attaining 39.33 per cent of the vote and losing to Mr Sitoh. Since then, two precincts from Potong Pasir SMC were moved to Marine Parade GRC in this year's Electoral Boundaries Review Committee report. This adjustment came in response to rapid population growth from new developments in Bidadari. As of Feb 1, the constituency has 30,897 registered voters, up from 19,731 in 2020.
