http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/tin-pei-ling-factor-weaker-performance-sm-goh-160414205.html
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted the negative publicity surrounding Tin Pei Ling was a factor to the People's Action Party's (PAP) weaker performance at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
Speaking after his team's victory parade around Marine Parade GRC on Sunday morning, SM Goh said that she has been given that negative image from the very start and added that her youth was also a factor.
"I mean, she was a factor. Nicole Seah was also a factor. She communicated very well. She spoke quite persuasively to the younger people as well as some older people.
"So, I could sense that quite a few people supported her. So both were factors," he said.
However, SM Goh added that Tin is not at fault in wanting to be an MP.
"They thought it's all Tin Pei Ling's fault. It's not," he said.
"The PAP wanted to have a representative slate. She came in on that basis by the PAP. We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that's the key.
"We wanted her. If there's anything, we knew that she would be young and inexperienced but we are quite happy.
"And the main thing is she has got through. And that's the reason why people are unhappy that such a young and inexperienced person has got through," he added.
"We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election.
"But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling."
SM Goh also acknowledged the "sea of change in the political landscape" and that the "tide was very strong".
SM Goh's Marine Parade GRC team successfully fended off a challenge by the National Solidarity Party team to defend their ward, but their winning percentage of votes was only 56.6 per cent, much lower than the party's national average of 60.1 per cent.
"I was expecting, to be frank, a slightly better result, but we were prepared for this kind of result. Because for us, it's a new situation. There is a sea of change in the political landscape," said SM Goh.
Touching on the loss of Foreign Minister George Yeo as an MP, SM Goh said, "It's very painful that we lost him, very painful indeed. And the pain for the country will also be felt... It's a loss, he is a good personal friend."
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted the negative publicity surrounding Tin Pei Ling was a factor to the People's Action Party's (PAP) weaker performance at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).
Speaking after his team's victory parade around Marine Parade GRC on Sunday morning, SM Goh said that she has been given that negative image from the very start and added that her youth was also a factor.
"I mean, she was a factor. Nicole Seah was also a factor. She communicated very well. She spoke quite persuasively to the younger people as well as some older people.
"So, I could sense that quite a few people supported her. So both were factors," he said.
However, SM Goh added that Tin is not at fault in wanting to be an MP.
"They thought it's all Tin Pei Ling's fault. It's not," he said.
"The PAP wanted to have a representative slate. She came in on that basis by the PAP. We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that's the key.
"We wanted her. If there's anything, we knew that she would be young and inexperienced but we are quite happy.
"And the main thing is she has got through. And that's the reason why people are unhappy that such a young and inexperienced person has got through," he added.
"We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election.
"But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling."
SM Goh also acknowledged the "sea of change in the political landscape" and that the "tide was very strong".
SM Goh's Marine Parade GRC team successfully fended off a challenge by the National Solidarity Party team to defend their ward, but their winning percentage of votes was only 56.6 per cent, much lower than the party's national average of 60.1 per cent.
"I was expecting, to be frank, a slightly better result, but we were prepared for this kind of result. Because for us, it's a new situation. There is a sea of change in the political landscape," said SM Goh.
Touching on the loss of Foreign Minister George Yeo as an MP, SM Goh said, "It's very painful that we lost him, very painful indeed. And the pain for the country will also be felt... It's a loss, he is a good personal friend."
