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Apr 4, 2011
PAP's Sitoh hopes to be 3rd time lucky in Potong Pasir
He has rejected party's offer to field him in GRC, expects tough fight
By Elgin Toh
Mr Sitoh Yih Pin (in blue) exercising with Potong Pasir residents in Lorong 8, Toa Payoh yesterday morning. Despite two unsuccessful attempts to unseat Mr Chiam See Tong, Mr Sitoh said yesterday that he would 'never walk away from the residents of Potong Pasir'. -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN
TWO consecutive defeats at the hands of Mr Chiam See Tong have not discouraged the People's Action Party's (PAP) Potong Pasir man Sitoh Yih Pin.
He has asked top PAP leaders to allow him to stand in the single seat for a third time in the coming general election - even after they offered him the chance to move to a group representation constituency (GRC), he disclosed to reporters yesterday at a community event.
'I've been here for more than 10 years. This is my second home. As long as I am in politics, I will never walk away from the residents of Potong Pasir,' he said.
The GRC offer, he said, was made to him at least three times since 2008, and most recently, just six weeks ago. He turned them all down, so the discussion over which GRC he might be sent to did not even come up, he said.
His latest comments indicate that he will not be following in the footsteps of his PAP predecessor in Potong Pasir, Mr Andy Gan, who lost to Mr Chiam in 1991 and 1997 before being elected unopposed in 2001 in Marine Parade GRC.
Mr Sitoh's remarks also quashed earlier suspicions that he might be fielded elsewhere, given on-the-ground observations from Mr Chiam's party activists that the PAP man had been quieter compared to the run-up to the 2006 General Election.
Yesterday, he put those observations down to a change in his strategy.
He was more visible in 2006 because of his preference at the time for large-scale events. Since then, he has been meeting residents one-on-one or in smaller gatherings, because he finds the 'intimate interaction' more effective.
'I am here every day,' he said.
Already, he added, he has made clear to residents his plans for the estate if elected as MP.
He told 300 residents before yesterday's morning exercise session that he intends to push through:
the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) for 17 more blocks of Housing Board (HDB) flats in the ward (Blocks 213 to 224, 143 to 146 and 148);
covered linkways linking all 12 HDB blocks in Lorong 8, Toa Payoh and all 48 HDB blocks in Potong Pasir estate; and
a new park to be built atop the canal running through Lorong 8, Toa Payoh once that part of the canal is covered up.
He said the LUP for the 17 HDB blocks would be announced in the second half of this year, whether or not he is elected. However, he would need control of the town council as MP in order to build the covered linkways and the new park.
On whether his third attempt in Potong Pasir would be easier, as Mr Chiam has decided not to seek re-election and has named his wife Lina as the candidate, Mr Sitoh said he expected the fight to be 'close, challenging and difficult'.
He added: 'Mrs Chiam is no pushover. Don't discount her. She is to be taken very seriously. She has been here as long as Mr Chiam has.'
Mr Sitoh lost to Mr Chiam with 48 per cent of votes in 2001 and 44 per cent in 2006.
Mrs Chiam could not be reached for comment.
Yesterday, Mr Sitoh called on the residents of Potong Pasir to give him one chance to help them fulfil their 'hopes, visions and ambitions'.
Asked about his plans if he were to lose again, he replied: 'Actually, I have decided. But I won't tell you now. Ask me that on polling night. But hopefully we don't have to come to that.'
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Apr 4, 2011
PAP's Sitoh hopes to be 3rd time lucky in Potong Pasir
He has rejected party's offer to field him in GRC, expects tough fight
By Elgin Toh
Mr Sitoh Yih Pin (in blue) exercising with Potong Pasir residents in Lorong 8, Toa Payoh yesterday morning. Despite two unsuccessful attempts to unseat Mr Chiam See Tong, Mr Sitoh said yesterday that he would 'never walk away from the residents of Potong Pasir'. -- ST PHOTO: TERENCE TAN
TWO consecutive defeats at the hands of Mr Chiam See Tong have not discouraged the People's Action Party's (PAP) Potong Pasir man Sitoh Yih Pin.
He has asked top PAP leaders to allow him to stand in the single seat for a third time in the coming general election - even after they offered him the chance to move to a group representation constituency (GRC), he disclosed to reporters yesterday at a community event.
'I've been here for more than 10 years. This is my second home. As long as I am in politics, I will never walk away from the residents of Potong Pasir,' he said.
The GRC offer, he said, was made to him at least three times since 2008, and most recently, just six weeks ago. He turned them all down, so the discussion over which GRC he might be sent to did not even come up, he said.
His latest comments indicate that he will not be following in the footsteps of his PAP predecessor in Potong Pasir, Mr Andy Gan, who lost to Mr Chiam in 1991 and 1997 before being elected unopposed in 2001 in Marine Parade GRC.
Mr Sitoh's remarks also quashed earlier suspicions that he might be fielded elsewhere, given on-the-ground observations from Mr Chiam's party activists that the PAP man had been quieter compared to the run-up to the 2006 General Election.
Yesterday, he put those observations down to a change in his strategy.
He was more visible in 2006 because of his preference at the time for large-scale events. Since then, he has been meeting residents one-on-one or in smaller gatherings, because he finds the 'intimate interaction' more effective.
'I am here every day,' he said.
Already, he added, he has made clear to residents his plans for the estate if elected as MP.
He told 300 residents before yesterday's morning exercise session that he intends to push through:
the Lift Upgrading Programme (LUP) for 17 more blocks of Housing Board (HDB) flats in the ward (Blocks 213 to 224, 143 to 146 and 148);
covered linkways linking all 12 HDB blocks in Lorong 8, Toa Payoh and all 48 HDB blocks in Potong Pasir estate; and
a new park to be built atop the canal running through Lorong 8, Toa Payoh once that part of the canal is covered up.
He said the LUP for the 17 HDB blocks would be announced in the second half of this year, whether or not he is elected. However, he would need control of the town council as MP in order to build the covered linkways and the new park.
On whether his third attempt in Potong Pasir would be easier, as Mr Chiam has decided not to seek re-election and has named his wife Lina as the candidate, Mr Sitoh said he expected the fight to be 'close, challenging and difficult'.
He added: 'Mrs Chiam is no pushover. Don't discount her. She is to be taken very seriously. She has been here as long as Mr Chiam has.'
Mr Sitoh lost to Mr Chiam with 48 per cent of votes in 2001 and 44 per cent in 2006.
Mrs Chiam could not be reached for comment.
Yesterday, Mr Sitoh called on the residents of Potong Pasir to give him one chance to help them fulfil their 'hopes, visions and ambitions'.
Asked about his plans if he were to lose again, he replied: 'Actually, I have decided. But I won't tell you now. Ask me that on polling night. But hopefully we don't have to come to that.'
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