I think there is some funny business going on, says Chiam
SINGAPORE - You have not seen the last of him.
Veteran opposition leader Chiam See Tong yesterday told reporters that he would stay on in politics to complete, what he described as "unfinished business" that he had set out to do and went as far as to say that he was still keen to contest the next General Election, even if he is 80 or 81 years old at the time, if his health permitted.
On Saturday, Mr Chiam, 76, lost his bid to win a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) after 27 years as the Member of Parliament for Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency.
Asked, during a parade to thank his long-time supporters in his former home ground of Potong Pasir, if he would contest the next election, he swiftly replied "Of course", to loud cheers.
Addressing supporters, he said: "We shall be moving forward from here … We will never surrender. In the end, we shall win the battle."
As for whether the veteran opposition leader, who had suffered two strokes in recent years, might return to contest in Potong Pasir, which saw the People's Action Party's Sitoh Yih Pin edge out Mr Chiam's wife, Lina, by only 114 votes, Mr Chiam said it would depend on the circumstances and political landscape then.
A day after the election results were announced, Mr Chiam was clearly still not quite convinced about his wife's narrow loss in Potong Pasir.
"I think there is some funny business going on ... the response from residents is excellent but yet we have lost. By right, we should have won," he added.
In fact, a group of residents have started a petition calling for a by-election because of the narrow win.
So what's next? Mr Chiam says he will look at organising talks and activities to stay connected with residents and also take the time to build up his party, the Singapore People's Party (SPP).
Judging from the turnout in Potong Pasir yesterday, it appeared that many residents were also not quite ready to let him go.
Crowds gathered to greet Mr and Mrs Chiam as they toured the estate on a lorry with candidates from the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC team. There were also at least 15 cars trailing as part of the entourage. Residents, from young children to elderly folk, wept openly as Mr Chiam waved and supporters waved party flags as the entourage passed.
Many also pushed forward to shake Mr Chiam's hand, take a photo with him or to ask for his autograph.
Throughout the more than two hours, chants and cheers for the Chiams and the SPP echoed throughout the estate.
While it was meant to be a farewell party of sorts, Mr Chiam and his team, however, assured residents they would be back.
A SPP candidate for Bishan-Toa Payoh, Mr Benjamin Pwee, said the party has already put together a five-year comeback plan for the 2016 General Election.
This will include initiatives such as a virtual Meet-the-People session which will act as a "second line of defence" and setting up a foundation to support the needy, he said. Additional reporting by Cheow Xin Yi
