Singapore News ยป
Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 05 March 2006 1902 hrs
Face-off between PAP and WP expected in Aljunied GRC in coming
GE
By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia
Aljunied GRC is now bigger following the redrawing of the electoral
boundaries.
It has an additional 20,000 voters and MPs say this makes the
prospect of a contest all the more challenging.
The 145,000 voters there will most likely exercise their vote in
the coming polls, as the opposition Workers' Party has indicated
it'll contest the area.
Over the weekend, it was business as usual for PAP's Dr Ong Seh
Hong.
Though a third of his ward or 8,000 voters in Kembangan will now be
part of Marine Parade GRC after the redrawing of the electoral
boundaries, the MP for Aljunied GRC is not looking back.
Instead, Dr Ong has got his eyes set on the upcoming General
Election.
He said: "I have helped out in other elections before but more as a
helper not as a candidate. So definitely it would be good
experience for me and grassroots leaders and party activists.
Adrenaline is pumping and everyone is talking about it, definitely
we are looking forward to the challenge."
The Mayor of North-East CDC also welcomed the possible
contest.
Zainul Abidin Rasheed, who is also an MP for Aljunied GRC, said:
"I've been through Cheng San which was a very challenging
experience, humbling. It gave us meaningful experience to go
through and I think we are looking forward to a contest.
"I don't see the Workers' Party really coming down with activities.
They have come here and there with house visits but are they really
serious about serving the whole community?
"We are looking forward to them coming here and challenging us. I
feel people are expecting that, we don't want to disappoint them
and we want to tell people these are our programmes, what we've
done. We are confident of showing our best."
The Workers' Party could not be reached for comment on their
response to the boundaries report.
But they have been seen working the ground in Aljunied GRC.
Residents say they are looking forward to a contest this time
round, after a walkover in the last General Election in 2001.
"With some opposition coming in, it's good for the public to know
there is some challenge to the PAP," said a resident.
"I am looking forward to it as it's my first time voting. I also
want to see how things go. I am interested, excited too," said
another.
"Competition is always good, as people will then get the chance to
exercise their right to vote," said a third.
Another change following the redrawing of the electoral boundaries
is that the Aljunied GRC's boundaries have now been shifted to
include Serangoon Gardens which is led by its incumbent MP Mrs Lim
Hwee Hua.
Mrs Lim is also the chairman of the PAP Women's Wing.
Political watchers are expecting her to be part of the PAP's team
in Aljunied GRC, to face the Workers' Party team led by its
chairman, Sylvia Lim. - CNA/ir
