Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC may see contest

By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC may see a contest in the coming General Election.

The opposition Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) was seen doing its rounds in the area, a day after the release of the electoral boundaries report.

Residents say they look forward to a contest in the upcoming General Election, which has to be held by June next year.

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC has been the fastest growing GRC since the 2001 elections.

It grew so fast that it had busted the allowed voter limit of 160,000 for a 5-MP GRC, leading to talk that it could be redrawn.

So Pasir Ris-Punggol MP Charles Chong and grassroots leaders heaved a sigh of relief when they found out the GRC will remain intact with its boundaries unchanged.

Instead the GRC has been expanded to a 6-member team.

MP Charles Chong said: "Chopping up the GRC is always very wrenching for grassroots leaders, for residents and MPs themselves. So I am glad they have decided to up the number and not break it up."

The SDA said it plans to step up its presence in the area, following the release of the boundaries report.

SDA's Assistant Secretary General, Desmond Lim, said: "We are much more prepared and ready to take up the challenge. It makes no difference to us whether it's 5- or 6-member GRC, because we are serious and we have worked the ground for quite some time back. We will find all possible ways and means to make it happen."

The incumbent PAP team welcomed the challenge.

MP Charles Chong said: "In the last General Election, it was a no contest. Residents, including myself, did not get to exercise our constitutional right to vote in our leaders.

"This time round, I am glad they have decided to stand and have a stand-by candidate for the 6-member GRC.

"But I am a bit sad they have decided to show up only so close to the elections. Only three weeks ago, they showed up in the constituency."

Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC is the third largest GRC with more than 178,000 electors, after Sembawang and Ang Mo Kio.

Residents here say they are looking forward to a contest, after a walkover in the last General Election in 2001.

"The past so many years, we never have chances for voting. So, in a way we feel excited for the day to come. We hope to see the opposition really come over. A fight is good," said a resident.

SDA is expected to decide if it'll field a team here after its Central Executive Committee meeting next week. - CNA/ir