Bukit Batok SMC by-election May 7 2016
-
official topic
-
Bukit Batok contest takes shape with 2 contenders named
Bukit Batok's nearly 27,000 voters now have a measure of two contenders who will vie in an upcoming by-election there, after the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) yesterday named lawyer and veteran party activist Murali Pillai as its candidate.
A by-election date has not been set, but Mr Murali's introduction came a day after Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chief Chee Soon Juan said he would contest.
PAP second assistant secretary-general Tharman Shanmugaratnam told reporters that the party had decided on Mr Murali in the course of last week, before knowing who the opposition candidate would be.
"There's no reason to delay the announcement of a candidate that we feel very comfortable with," said Mr Tharman, who is Deputy Prime Minister, at a press conference at the PAP's Bukit Batok branch.
Mr Murali, 48, who was fielded as part of the PAP's Aljunied GRC team at last September's general election, recalled that he attended his first Meet-the-People Session in 2000 at the very same branch, and said that "much of my thoughts on community service and politics are shaped by my experience here".
He has been a grassroots volunteer and leader for 16 years at the single-seat ward, and was appointed the PAP's Paya Lebar branch chairman four years ago.
The Bukit Batok single-seat constituency became vacant after MP David Ong stepped down just over a week ago after admitting to a personal indiscretion.
Mr Tharman said yesterday that residents liked Mr Ong as an MP, but understood that he had to resign. The party had to let him go as it is important to uphold high standards in politics. He also said he did not know when the by-election would be held. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said he would call it in due time.
While campaigning has not started, the area has been abuzz with activity, with PAP MPs from neighbouring Jurong GRC visiting residents at coffee shops and their homes and the SDP, too, making its rounds in the area.
After his introduction, Mr Murali attended the weekly Meet-the-People Session and started on house visits.
Dr Chee, 53, was at a walkabout on Sunday and was introduced as the SDP candidate by party member Sadasivam Veriyah, who contested the seat last September.
On pitting Mr Murali against a seasoned politician, Mr Tharman said: "I think we've chosen the right person with regard to character, the way people know him, the way people have worked together with him in the past."
Dr Chee did not respond to queries about Mr Murali's candidacy by press time.
Mr Tharman said the PAP would frame the election in a way that "makes sense for voters", adding that the first priority for any MP is to serve residents well.
Among opposition parties, only the National Solidarity Party has not said if it will contest. Its secretary-general Lim Tean said it is still "studying the situation carefully".
-
NSP don't spoil the show like what you did in MacPherson last GE. Also, SPP has been quiet on the whole affair. Not even a word on David's shameful conduct.
-
Endorsement from WP's Chen Show Mao:
http://statestimesreview.com/2016/03/23/workers-party-mp-chen-show-mao-send-dr-chee-soon-juan-to-parliament/
Looks like Murali's biggest achievement is uniting WP and SDP against him.
-
SDP announces campaign slogan for Bukit Batok by-election
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) unveiled its campaign message on Saturday for the upcoming Bukit Batok by-election, giving out campaign cards to voters in the constituency.
It will contest the polls under the slogan "Now is the time", which the party said conveys the importance of electing an alternative voice into Parliament.
In a press release on Saturday, the party called on Bukit Batok residents to send SDP chief Chee Soon Juan, 53, into Parliament, saying: "Now is the time to get even more alternative voices into Parliament. Adding one more People's Action Party MP to the existing 82 will not make any difference in any way."
It also said Dr Chee would "ask the tough questions to the right people at the right place and raise the quality of debate in Parliament".
The Bukit Batok seat became vacant after MP David Ong resigned on March 12 over an alleged affair.
Dr Chee, who stood in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC at last year's general election, was unveiled last Sunday as the opposition party's choice for the by-election.
A day later, the People's Action Party (PAP) introduced lawyer Murali Pillai as its candidate. Mr Murali had contested in Aljunied GRC in last year's General Election.
Both men have been walking the ground since the announcement of the by-election.
On Saturday, the SDP distributed campaign cards bearing its campaign message to residents, while Mr Murali went on house visits.
Asked about the SDP's campaign message, Mr Murali, who has been a grassroots volunteer in leader in Bukit Batok for 16 years, said: "My priority at this time is to ensure that residents continue to be well taken care of, and that those in need get the help they require."
At last year's polls, Mr Ong had won 73 per cent of the vote in a three-way fight against the SDP's Sadasivam Veriyah, who got 26.4 per cent, and independent candidate Samir Salim Neji, who got just 0.6 per cent and lost his election deposit.
A date has not been set for the by-election, but Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said immediately after Mr Ong's resignation that one will be called "in due course".
-
Hope SDP can win and chee can get into parliament.
-
Originally posted by Needhelp2016:
Hope SDP can win and chee can get into parliament.
Too many MIW around. They became too complacent liao.
-
The Bukit Batok SMC By-Election will be held on 7 May 2016 (Saturday)
Polling day for the Bukit Batok Single Member Constituency (SMC) by-election will be on May 7.
President Tony Tan Keng Yam issued the writ of election on Wednesday (April 20).
Nomination day for the election will be held on Wednesday, April 27, and the nomination centre will be at Keming Primary School. There will then be nine days of campaigning before the mandatory cooling-off day on May 6
Sean Yap, 2016. Bukit Batok by-election to be held on May 7. asiaone [online], 20 April 2016. Available from: http://www.asiaone.com/ [Accessed 20 April 2016].
Lee Hsien Loong, 2016. The Writ of Election for Bukit Batok constituency [image]. Singapore: Facebook. Available from: https://www.facebook.com/leehsienloong/ [Accessed 20 April 2016].
-
[ELD] Bukit Batok by-election: ELD issues advisory for campaigning
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/bukit-batok-by-election/2718020.html
[ELD] Bukit Batok by-election: Deposit for candidates set at $13,500
http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bukit-batok-by-election-deposit-for-candidates-set-at-13500
[ELD] Bukit Batok by-election: 5 applications for Political Donation Certificates received
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/bukit-batok-by-election-5/2724734.html
[Police] Bukit Batok by-election: Police issues traffic and security advisory for Nomination Centre
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/bukit-batok-by-election/2726220.html
-
-
(PAP) PAP team ready for Bukit Batok by-election: Murali Pillai
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/pap-team-ready-for-bukit/2714192.html
(SDP) Bukit Batok by-election: 'A mountain to climb and we will'
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/bukit-batok-election-mountain-climb-and-we-will
-
(PAP) PAP's Murali glad date is set for Bukit Batok by-election and sets out residents' top concerns
(SDP) Chee Soon Juan questions impact of having another PAP candidate in Parliament
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/chee-soon-juan-questions/2716912.html
-
(PAP) Bukit Batok by-election: Focused on jobs, help for needy
http://news.asiaone.com/news/singapore/bukit-batok-election-focused-jobs-help-needy
(SDP) Chee: If elected, I will continue to press the Government
http://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/chee-if-elected-i-will-continue-press-government
-
(PAP) Multi-generational park, covered linkways in the pipeline for Bukit Batok residents: PAP's Murali
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/multi-generational-park/2726240.html
(SDP) SDP unveils four social initiatives for Bukit Batok residents
http://www.straitstimes.com/politics/sdp-unveils-four-social-initiatives-for-bukit-batok-residents
-
SDP Rally
-
To be honest, I do not care. I live in Chua Chu Kang GRC, not Bukit Batok SMC. This By-Election only concerns the people living in Bukit Batok SMC. They want vote for who, it's their own problem.
-
I have a feeling that this page is being monitored by the authorities. Well, I shall stop here. Sorry.
-
Originally posted by gekpohboy:
To be honest, I do not care. I live in Chua Chu Kang GRC, not Bukit Batok SMC. This By-Election only concerns the people living in Bukit Batok SMC. They want vote for who, it's their own problem.
Half of BBT under CCK TC. Don't tell me you're under Low Yen Leng?
-
Originally posted by gekpohboy:
To be honest, I do not care. I live in Chua Chu Kang GRC, not Bukit Batok SMC. This By-Election only concerns the people living in Bukit Batok SMC. They want vote for who, it's their own problem.
okay, this sounds like a NIMBY problem.
you in Choa Chu Kang GRC, Bukit Batok SMC is just next door.
-
i hereby support Chee Soon Juan not Murali.
plus a vote for Murali = thumbs up for personal indiscretion (screwing up some other woman)
this is in addition to David Ong who had resigned instead of being fired by Lee Hsien Loong.
-
If PAP wins, there will be one more person representing the Indian race in parliament.
If SDP wins, there will be one more opposition member in parliament.
-
Unfortunately, Mr Chee Soon Juan has a bad record.
A leopard cannot change its spots.
-
Most likely PAP will take the SMC la....
