Hougang, HUAT ahh!!!

Tonight, as I am blogging this, Hougang residents have already voted for their choice of a new MP in this by-election. Counting of votes has began and the result will be out in a couple of hours.  It is a keen fight between PAP and WP.  But judging from the turnout at the rallies over the past week, we know that Hougang remains a strong opposition ward, despite the scare tactics used by the PAP during this entire campaign.  Although I am not staying in Hougang, it remains a place close to my heart as my extended maternal family is Teochew and they are all staying in Hougang.  That is why I have a keen interest in Hougang and that it will remain an opposition ward. 

WP supporters (left) vs PAP supporters during 22 May rally.

Absolutely love this rally speech by Mr Low Thia Kiang on 19 May 2012.  He was speaking in Teochew to all his Hougang residents, who are majority Teochew and Hougang is traditionally still a Teochew-speaking constituent.  Mr Low assured Hougang residents that even though he is now a MP for Aljunied GRC, Hougang will always be very close to him, like his "in-law".  Low Thia Kiang took a dig at Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who criticised Png Eng Huat for being old (50 years old) compared to PAP's 34-year-old candidate, Desmond Choo.  Mr Low reminded all that the oldest in parliament is none other than PAP's former Prime Minister, 70-year-old Lee Kuan Yew, who is still very adept at admonishing the young. Low said, "姜还是老的辣!"

I always pay extra attention to speeches by Workers Party's Low Thia Kiang, Sylvia Lim, Chen Show Mao and Pritam Singh. I have to say, for this Hougang by-elections, I thoroughly enjoyed the speeches by Worker Party's Aljunied MP, Pritam Singh. It was power-packed and convincing. Bravo! He took to task Minister Khaw Boon Wan and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, when they questioned Yaw Shin Leong's integrity and the WP for letting down Hougang residents. Singh reminded all and named the PAP's ex-MPs and Ministers who were previously charged with corruption and who then "disappeared into thin air".  Singh said, "If you stay in a glass house, better don't throw stones!".

From Twitter, @sgelectorate tweeted these past statistics for Hougang General Election. Looking at these statistics, we know the Hougang is a stronghold for the opposition Workers Party with the highest % achieved in last year's GE elections. So even with Yaw Shin Leong gone, I do not foresee the votes will sway drastically towards the PAP after more than 20 years being opposition supporters. 

My bet for tonight's result would be a  60% win to Workers Party's Png Eng Huat. He may not match up to the 64.8% performance from Yaw Shin Leong last year as he may be, instead, be pulled down precisely because of the Yaw debacle. If Png is able to score an even higher % than Yaw's 64.8%, it proves that the voters have already given their mandate to the heavy weights of Low Thia Kiang, Sylvia Lim and the rest of the team and most importantly, their trust in the Workers Party. 

So here, I would like to extend my advance heartfelt congratulations to Mr Png Eng Huat. May Hougang residents keep faith and trust in him and give him a chance to continue the hard work of the Workers Party and in representing the opposition in parliament.  

Hougang, HUAT ahhhh!!!

Workers Party's candidate for Hougang, Mr Png Eng HUAT!

Post note: WP has retained their seat in Hougang with a 62% mandate, slightly better than my prediction of 60%!