Think Centre extends its warmest congratulations to Punggol East voters, the Workers' Party (WP) and its MP-elect Ms Lee Li Lian for its by-election victory.
27 January, Singapore - Think Centre (TC), Singapore's pioneering political association, extends its warmest congratulations to Punggol East voters, the Workers' Party (WP) and its MP-elect Lee Li Lian for its by-election victory. The 54.52% electoral win is an astoundingly resounding mandate for Ms Lee and WP. Ms Lee makes history for being the first opposition Woman MP to be elected in a single member constituency since independence.
Think Centre commends all the political parties contesting in the Punggol East by-election for running a clean campaign with no signs of petty politics, personal attacks nor mudslinging as seen in the previous by-election. We also commend the Reform Party and the Singapore Democratic Alliance for going into the Punggol East contest amidst much criticism from many quarters. By doing so, these parties have fully epitomised the spirit of democracy by giving the voters of Punggol East more choices beyond those offered by the two oldest political parties.
Think Centre continues to reiterate its concerns on immigration, employment and income issues that continue to impact Singaporeans' rights to decent wages and work conditions. But there has to be more space for the people and civil society to voice their concerns and participate in the decision making process on national issues that will create the Singapore we all want.
It is now time for both the PAP and the WP to focus on national issues of importance for Singapore, but at the same time, they should not forget to address the outstanding constituency level issues raised during the Punggol East By-Election. Only then can we take this place we call home another step closer to being a fair and just society where human rights are fully protected and no Singaporean is left behind.
Think Centre