SINGAPORE: People’s Power Party (PPP) secretary-general Goh Meng Seng has tried to persuade independent opposition candidate Tan Lam Siong to join the PPP to contest Chua Chu Kang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) instead of standing as an independent in Potong Pasir.
Mr Goh told Channel NewsAsia his offer was a “last-ditch effort” to avoid a three-cornered fight in the Potong Pasir single seat.
He said: “I have indeed met up with Mr Tan Lam Siong yesterday night to make the last-ditch effort to defuse the potential bomb of a three-cornered fight at Potong Pasir. I have urged Mr Tan to join my team at CCK but unfortunately I have failed to convince him to come over.”
“Although there is seriously very little time left, we still hope Mr Tan could reconsider our proposal. Nevertheless, if Mr Tan so decides to continue his campaign at Potong Pasir, we can only hope the best candidate wins,” he added.
Mr Goh also posted a note on Facebook alluding to his efforts. “I shall now leave it to nature to take its course. What will be will be,” he wrote.
Mr Tan confirmed that he had met Mr Goh on Monday night but had rejected his offer. Rebutting online reports alleging that he was planning to join the PPP, he added: “I think people are just speculating because someone saw me having dinner with Mr Goh Meng Seng. But it’s not true, I’m still actively walking in Potong Paris SMC and I will definitely follow up my plans to contest as an independent candidate for Potong Pasir SMC.”
Incumbent People’s Action Party MP Sitoh Yih Pin will defend his seat. Singapore People’s Party (SPP) chairman Lina Chiam has announced that she will contest the single seat – held previously by her husband Chiam See Tong for over 27 years – as she did in the 2011 General Election.
Source: www.channelnewsasia.com
