PAP unveils Desmond Choo as Hougang by-election candidate
Thirty-four-year-old Desmond Choo will be the People's Action Party (PAP) candidate in the by-election for the single-member constituency of Hougang on May 26.
The People's Action Party's Second Assistant Secretary-General Tharman Shanmugaratnam introduces Desmond Choo as their candidate for the Hougang by-election. (PHOTO: MEDIACORP/Imelda Saad)
SINGAPORE: Thirty-four-year-old Desmond Choo will be the People's Action Party (PAP) candidate in the by-election for the single-member constituency of Hougang on May 26.
Mr Choo, who is Second Advisor to Hougang Grassroots Organisations, was introduced as a candidate at a media conference on Thursday by PAP's Second Assistant Secretary-General Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Mr Tharman said Mr Choo did not leave after the GE but worked even harder on the ground, and over the past year has connected with many people through weekly coffee sessions and regular house visits.
Mr Choo pledged to fight as a better choice for voters, and to "always be there for them".
He said the PAP has a long-term plan and commitment to Hougang and also promised to mobilise support and resources, as well as take real and concrete steps to help residents with their problems.
"Our spirit is strong and we will fight to convince voters that we are the better choice for their long-term future," Mr Choo said.
The by-election will be Mr Choo's second attempt at the Hougang seat, which was vacated by the Workers' Party's (WP's) Yaw Shin Leong after he was expelled from WP in February.
Mr Choo said that despite his setback in General Election of 2011, residents have been encouraging and told him that the party's work and initiatives have made a difference in their lives.
He said his party has continued his work in Hougang, introducing various social assistance initiatives to benefit residents.
Mr Choo, who has been working in the community for more than 10 years, said caring for the needy elderly is still a priority because they need the most help.
He said the focus is also on helping low-income residents cope with problems such as the cost of living, on top of what the Government does.
"Our work and initiatives show that we are committed to residents and they have told us that we are making a difference in their lives. We are not just airing concerns but acting on them, showing that we are there to serve them and will always be there for them," Mr Choo said.
Mr Tharman believes Mr Choo can do much more as a Member of Parliament, both on his own and backed up by the whole PAP team.
That was why the party was proud to field him again as its candidate in the Hougang by-election, Mr Tharman said.
Mr Tharman, who is also Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Manpower, said since the GE last year, the government has been working hard to address immediate issues, such as housing, to build an inclusive Singapore where everyone shares in its progress.
Many dialogues have been held, while useful feedback and suggestions from Singaporeans have been taken on board.
Mr Tharman said the government is determined to implement new policies and work with Singaporeans to make sure that results are seen in a more inclusive society, where everyone does better.
