SMU Assistant Professor of Law and NMP Eugene Tan commented on the Hougang by-election. He commented that it was a smart move by the ruling party to not have other GRCs dragged into this by-election, or the Prime Minister could be perceived to be using Hougang to make strategic deployment for the PAP. Doing so would also make it tough for any newcomers whom the Party is nominating, as they would be susceptible of taking a ?back door? route to Parliament. This would not bode well for their political careers. By deciding not to involve other GRCs in the by-election, PM has won the respect of the people. Even if PAP loses in Hougang, it would be a fair political competition. Looking at the larger picture, PM might lose the battle, but he would have won the war.
Lianhe Zaobao