[doctorzlo]

WP Press Conference on Hougang By-election

Workers' Party introduces its candidate for the Hougang By-election: Png Eng Huat.


Special thanks to Lee Jun Le, Loh Peiying and Liane Ng for taking the photos in this album.

[S.T.D.]

WP Press Conference on Hougang By-election

[MannoFr]

WP Press Conference on Hougang By-election

[LottiFurmann]

"The residents of Hougang have another chance, another opportunity to elect their MP, and it also proves to the residents in Hougang that they will not be short-changed. If the MP is not up to the mark, the Workers' Party is prepared to give them another opportunity to make another choice. This is what we stand for," said Mr Low.

[MannoFr]

Quote by Deng Xiaoping:

不管白猫、黑猫，逮住老鼠就是好猫。
"No matter if it is a white cat or a black cat; as long as it can catch mice, it is a good cat.

[S.T.D.]

Again Chen Show Mao missing from press conference, same pattern like the last one.

[LottiFurmann]

Again Chen Show Mao missing from press conference, same pattern like the last one.

What happened to CSM? His absence has what significance? You got good intel must share hor......

[NeroASERCH]

Again Chen Show Mao missing from press conference, same pattern like the last one.

What has his presence got to do with the press announcement. In fact LTK presence suffice. CSM turf is in Aljunied GRC, that is where he got most of his credit for helping to kill one of PAP sacred cows.

[TorryJens]

WP Press Conference on Hougang By-election

Workers' Party introduces its candidate for the Hougang By-election: Png Eng Huat.


Special thanks to Lee Jun Le, Loh Peiying and Liane Ng for taking the photos in this album.

Watch LTK's rebuttal against LHL's accusation.

[Lillie_Steins]

Interview with Worker's Party candidate, Png Eng Huat by Zaobao

Translated from chinese interview with Png Eng Huat by Zaobao

Although the Hougang by-elections is a local election, it has attracted nationwide attention. WP Hougang candidate Png Eng Huat believes that Hougang is special as a part of Singapore’s journey towards democracy. If it is viewed purely as a location based election, the importance of the by-elections will be ignored. When interviewed by Zaobao, Png provided his own analysis, and stressed on his persistence in serving Hougang.

“Although Hougang is a small constituency, but it has tremendous implications.”

Workers’ Party candidate for Hougang SMC, Png Eng Huat believes that the by-elections cannot be purely seen as a just contest between him and Desmond Choo.

“It even goes beyond a mere contest between the Workers’ Party and the People’s Action Party. Hougang is a key opposition party stronghold. The people here have forsaken opportunities for HDB upgrades to ensure that there is an opposition voice in the Parliament. This by-elections will determine whether we still have a need to preserve this special place.”

In regards to DPM Teo statement about people can feel free to vote without having the fear of a lack of opposition representation in Parliament, since there are already five WP members, including Low Thia Khiang, in the Parliament.

Png states, “The reverse holds true, doesn’t it? The PAP already have 81 seats in the Parliament while the WP only holds 5 seats. So why do you still want to vote for them? Why not vote for WP?”

Fifty-year-old Png Eng Huat, dressed in the trademark WP blue long-sleeved shirt, while holding a notepad, a tablet PC and a small water bottle in his hands. His greying hair makes him look older than he actually is.

He has no other party members or assistants accompanying him, and the interview was carried out as such at the Hougang Town Council meeting room.

Png Eng Huat joined the Workers' Party in 2006, but was not chosen as a candidate to stand for election then. During the last elections last year, though he represented Workers' Party in East Coast GRC, but it was led by veteran Eric Low and coupled with the main efforts concentrated mainly on Aljunied GRC and Hougang, resulted in a lack of coverage of him from the press media.

In February this year when Hougang MP Yaw Shin Leong was expelled from WP, speculations on the likely replacement candidate centred on members who had attracted more media attention, including Gerald Giam, Yee Jenn Jong, Koh Choong Yong, and Lee Lilian. Who would have thought that Png will be the WP Hougang candidate instead?

Even Png himself was a little surprised at the selection.

“When Low Thia Khiang came to look for me, I even asked him if he’s really sure that I’m suitable to be WP’s Hougang by-elections candidate?”

However, the selection of Png as WP’s Hougang candidate is not without reason. He has been a member of the Hougang Constituency Committee since 2006, taking care of the welfare of Hougang’s poorer residents. Within the Workers' Party Central Executive Committee member, only him and Ng Swee Bee are the only long serving members of the Hougang Constituency Committee.

During the media conference to introduce Png, Low explained that Png is a mature and stable person who has a great ability to communicate with the residents and relate to them.

Maybe, Worker's Party feels that a reliable and trustworthy person like Png is much needed to pacify Hougang residents after the Yaw incident.

When asked about the future plans for Hougang, his answer was down to earth, focusing on a list of projects that include maintenance, paintwork, covered walkways, Home Improvement Programme (HIP) and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP).

Regarding the long list of plans that are announced by his competitor, Desmond Choo, Png welcomes them as long as the plans are beneficial for Hougang residents. Sometimes, he even recommends residents to seek help at Demond Choo’s employment assistance centre.

What preparations has Png done for this elections?

He reveals that he has been conducting walk-abouts for more than two months ago as the Chairman of Hougang Constituency Committee and basically understood the needs of residents. His notepad in his hand, documents the hardships and problems that residents are facing.

So what is the residents' attitude towards him?

He says, “Hougang residents are very approachable and enthusiastic. Some have given words of encouragement, while others have invite me to their house for desserts. But I can’t be sure if they will eventually vote for me.”

Hougang residents seem to be quite familiar with Png. When he went in the neighbourhood for the interview photoshoot, many residents greeted him along the way. Some addressed him Png, while others just shouted ‘Huat ah!’.

Even a young child in the neighbourhood came up to him to say, “I will tell mummy to vote for you.”

Png is also very friendly and engages with the community

He tells the reporter in a confident tone, “Hougang residents and WP share a special relationship, this is the result of 20 years of hard work in the area.”

He disagrees with DPM Tharman’s view that this is a local election.

“What is a local election? Can I help residents build a wet market? Can I just take the liberty to mark the roads as a zebra crossing? These projects have to go through HDB and LTA eventually. On top of that, the priority of Home Improvement Programme and Neighbourhood Renewal Programme is closely related to national policies.”

In fact, Png does not have the ambition to secure a high share of votes. He points out that Singapore elections take the simple form of “first-past-the-post” system, where candidates can become official MPs even by winning a small margin.

If Png should lose, he hopes that Desmond Choo will allow him to continue his activities in voluntary welfare organisations (VWO) in the community.

http://www.zaobao.com.sg/sp/sp120513_010.shtml
　“后港虽然是一个小选区，但是意义重大。”

[Peptobismol]

Dear Supporters of the Workers' Party,

If you would like to join us to support the Workers' Party on Nomination Day (16 May 2012) for the Hougang By-election, kindly note the following:
- Meeting Point: Blk 704 Hougang Ave 2 (void deck, common area beside Residents' Corner, facing Serangoon Junior College)
- Meeting Time: 10.30am
- Attire: Light-blue top

Thanks and see you there!

The Workers' Party

[TorryJens]

"You may see it as a local issue. The elderly need some walkway and covered shelters but they know the bigger picture very well. They know that they need a voice so that's something we must protect and defend."

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/video...sg_enghuat.flv

[9mm_fan]

The Workers' Party

<a class="uiLinkSubtle" href="http://www.facebook.com/workersparty/posts/464575730225682">7 hours ago




The Workers' Party has only nominated Mr Png Eng Huat as our candidate for Hougang SMC. Dr Poh Lee Guan has not informed us of any intention to contest. Dr Poh is still a member of the Party.

[Paul Bunyan]

Nomination Day for Hougang by-election





SINGAPORE: It is Nomination Day for the Hougang by-election. Candidates will be able to file their nomination papers at Serangoon Junior College from 11am on Wednesday.

The Elections Department has issued four Political Donation Certificates for this by-election. They are to Mr Desmond Choo from the People's Action Party, Mr Png Eng Huat from the Workers' Party, both of whom have already been formally introduced by their parties.

The other two are Mr Poh Lee Guan and Mr Zeng Guoyan.

The Hougang single member constituency fell vacant after its former MP, Yaw Shin Leong was expelled from the Workers' Party in February 2012.

Nomination papers can be filed between 11am and 12pm. Half an hour is then set aside for any objections to be raised.

The outcome of the nomination proceedings is expected to be known just after 12.30pm, when Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee will declare the results of the nomination procedures.

If there is a contest, Polling Day is on Saturday, May 26 and it is not a public holiday. Campaigning is for nine days with a Cooling-off Day on May 25 on the eve of Polling Day.

The Elections Department said there are 23,368 eligible voters in the by-election for the single-seat constituency of Hougang.

There will also be overseas voting. A total of 43 overseas Singaporeans will vote in eight cities, such as Canberra, San Francisco, Tokyo and Hong Kong.

-CNA/ac

[tgs]

Straight fight in Hougang by-election



SINGAPORE: The Hougang by-election on May 26 will be a straight fight between Mr Png Eng Huat of the Workers' Party (WP) and Mr Desmond Choo of the People's Action Party (PAP).

Returning Officer Mr Yam Ah Mee declared them as candidates for the Hougang by-election at about 12.35pm on Nomination Day on Wednesday.

Mr Png and Mr Choo filed their papers at the Nomination Centre at Serangoon Junior College before nomination closed at noon.

The two candidates will hit the campaign trail in their bid to fill to the seat vacated by former Workers' Party Member of Parliament, Mr Yaw Shin Leong, after he was expelled in February for failing to account for rumours of extramarital affairs.

In his short "thank you" speech, Mr Choo thanked his supporters and pledged to serve residents and work with them for a better future in Hougang.

On his part, Mr Png urged voters to choose him as their MP so that the Workers' Party can continue to be their voice.

Speaking to reporters after the nomination results were announced, he said he was "a little relieved" that it would be a straight fight between him and Mr Choo of the People's Action Party.

Mr Png added that Hougang is special for him and the by-election on May 26 is as much a fight for democracy as that of a local election.

Candidates were given an hour, between 11am and noon, to file their nomination papers. Candidates had until 12.30pm to file their objections.

Acupuncturist Mr Zeng Guoyuan, who was expected to run as an independent candidate, did not file his nomination papers.

The fourth man, Dr Poh Lee Guan, failed to show up at the nomination centre.

He told reporters at a block near the nomination centre that he wanted to be a backup -- quietly and away from the limelight.

He said his conscience is clear as his action does not affect the party. In fact, it has strengthened the party, he added.

When asked why he did not inform the party, he replied that he was busy with lectures.

Meanwhile, Workers' Party Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang told reporters at the nomination centre that he has not heard from Dr Poh and the party has not made any attempt to contact Dr Poh.

He also has not heard anything from Dr Poh about quitting the party.

Mr Low said the party has not yet decided on what kind of disciplinary action it will take against Dr Poh, if any.

But he said Dr Poh should have made clear his intention to the party, as he is a long-standing member of WP and a former Central Executive Council member.

Mr Low said party unity is still strong, adding that all the Aljunied GRC MPs and NCMPs are at the centre to show support for Mr Png.

He said there is no "internal strife".

On why Dr Poh was not elected to the CEC, Mr Low said he was nominated but he was not elected to the CEC as he could not get enough support.

Mr Low said he has confidence in WP supporters.

Polling Day is on Saturday, May 26. Campaigning is for nine days with a Cooling-off Day on the eve of Polling Day.

- CNA/al

[radikal]

WP's Low denies party split





SINGAPORE: Secretary-general of The Workers' Party (WP), Low Thia Khiang, has dismissed talk of a split in his party.

He said the party had no idea that its member Dr Poh Lee Guan had applied for a Political Donation Certificate.

Neither had Dr Poh signalled his intention to run as a candidate in the Hougang by-election on May 26.

Mr Low said he has not contacted Dr Poh, as he felt that Dr Poh should be the one to contact the party to explain his decision.

He also denied Dr Poh's claims that he was a "backup" candidate, saying the party had no backup.

Mr Low said WP had only nominated Mr Png Eng Huat as its candidate, who will contest Mr Desmond Choo of the People's Action Party in the by-election.

As to whether Dr Poh's actions were triggered by his unhappiness with not being fielded in Hougang, Mr Low said he did not want to speculate.

He stressed that the party works on collective leadership and added that members who want to assume leadership must prove themselves.

Mr Low said the issue over Dr Poh is part and parcel of politics, adding that what is most important is that the party is internally strong.

He said he does not believe the recent developments, including the resignation of former member Sajeev Kamalasanan, will affect support for the Workers' Party in Hougang.

Mr Low said these were individuals and do not represent the party.

He said the party is fully behind Mr Png's candidacy, describing him as its "collective choice".

- CNA/al

[9mm_fan]

2012-05-16 Hougang By-election Nomination Day

[Lillie_Steins]

2012-05-16 Hougang By-election Nomination Day

[Beerinkol]

2012-05-16 Hougang By-election Nomination Day

[9mm_fan]

2012-05-16 Hougang By-election Nomination Day