When GE 2011 came to an end, people thought that it would be another five years before they could poke fun of politicians. However, come next Saturday, Singapore is about to witness a third election in a year. That is the Hougang by-election in case you are still playing Diablo 3 all day.
A straight fight between a PAP and Workers' Party candidate with many supporting actors, directors and scriptwriters is what I think this by-election is all about. At a time when WP looks vulnerable, this is PAP's best chance of reclaiming Hougang.
The men in white for this contest is Desmond Choo, who was the loser of this ward during last year's election. Brave or maybe naive enough to go for round two, he has continued to work the ground even after GE 2011.
He started a Job Hub, provided free Teochew porridge and even launched a free legal clinic that includes Singapore's most famous (and maybe hairiest) lawyer, Subhas Anandan. He also stressed that he is independent and doesn't need help from his party's big shots.
Desmond claimed that, if elected, he wants to build a new market in the constituency but people wonder where the heck he is really going to have it constructed. Although some of his election promises may seem impractical, I am sure he will make it a clean and dignified fight.
The young man's campaign looks set to be a smooth one but DPM Teo Chee Hean somehow complicated things when he urged voters to pick PAP since WP already has seven MPs in parliament. This explanation can easily be turned around by stating that PAP has a whopping 81.
On the blue side, WP decided to field Png erm, Eng Huat? Png Eng Huat was definitely not what people expected. He did contest in GE 2011 at East Coast although that doesn't seem to be remembered by many.
Other than being a political candidate last year, Png was also the guy who collected Tan Kin Lian's nomination forms for the presidential election last year. Both Png and Tan are good friends so it really bothers me to understand why isn't Tan openly supporting his pal?
Png doesn't have to sweat a lot to retain the Hougang seat for the opposition. He just have to speak well during rallies, make sure Low Thia Kiang shadows him whenever he appears and victory would come by at ease.
Though, man for man, Png Eng Huat loses to Desmond Choo in terms of presence in Hougang, he is still poised to win since he is not wearing white in this twenty-year opposition ward.
I bet Desmond would be the winner if he contested under another banner since he gives an affable impression that is bound to win some auntie votes. Fact is, this by-election is more of a mini referendum on the performance of the government and Desmond is expected to be the scapegoat.
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