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DPM Teo bring his 'Gina kia' Desmond Choo round Hougang

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Alfrescian
Loyal
DPM Teo and new candidate on walkabout in Hougang
By Jessica Cheam
ST_IMAGES_P1BLURBS01-7S.jpg

Mr Desmond Choo (left) greeting a resident at a Hougang Avenue 5 coffee shop during a walkabout in the opposition-held single-member constituency last night, accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean (second from left). -- PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

DEPUTY Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean lent a hand last night to newly introduced People's Action Party (PAP) candidate Desmond Choo as he went on a walkabout to coffee shops in Hougang.

But Mr Teo made it clear that Mr Choo was taking the lead in the opposition-held ward, and that he was there 'because Desmond asked me to dinner'.

In the lead-up to the 2006 General Election, the PAP had sent Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong to help PAP candidates Sitoh Yih Pin in Potong Pasir and Eric Low in Hougang, in its bid to recapture the two opposition wards.

But opposition veterans Chiam See Tong in Potong Pasir and Low Thia Khiang in Hougang retained their seats and improved on their winning margins.

Mr Teo, the PAP's second assistant secretary-general, said he was not there to play a role similar to SM Goh's in 2006: 'I'm here because I introduced Desmond here two months ago and he invited me to dinner. So I came over to meet residents and to take some time to understand what are their concerns.'

Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang, who has held the ward since 1991, is reported to be mulling a GRC bid.

Asked about the PAP's chances there, Mr Teo said it would be 'an uphill task... But whether Mr Low stays or not, I hope residents will see Desmond's sincerity and desire to want to serve them, and give him the opportunity to do so.'

Mr Choo and Mr Teo visited coffee shops and neighbourhood stores in Hougang Avenue 5 with grassroots leaders.

Mr Choo, who is deputy director of the NTUC's Youth Development Unit, said he felt he was 'making progress' with residents since being introduced there.

'People are recognising me now. But I'm not counting any chickens before they hatch,' he said.

As for the PAP offering carrots like estate upgrading to win votes, he said it was not his style. Programmes the PAP has in place 'have a longevity beyond the election... We go for a sincere-based approach. It's not about carrots'.

Asked if the party was concerned residents would not vote PAP as they could vote for the opposition and still get served by the PAP, Mr Choo said his focus was on how best to serve residents.

Mr Teo said if residents gave Mr Choo the opportunity, 'he can both speak for them in Parliament and serve them in the constituency. The opposition candidate - whoever he is - also has the opportunity to be in Parliament as a non-constituency MP. So in that case, they also have the best of both worlds'.

Both men also weighed in on recent online attacks on new PAP candidate Tin Pei Ling, 27.

Mr Teo said 'the cynicism and scepticism of netizens was anticipated... but the viciousness doesn't do credit to anybody'.

Mr Choo said Ms Tin's seven years of grassroots work is 'a testimony to how passionate she is'. But her critics online have ignored this, he said, adding that they should give her a chance to prove herself.
 
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