On Worker’s Party (WP) candidate Lee Li Lian, SMU Assistant Professor of Law Eugene Tan said that he was not surprised, as it is in line with the party’s strategy. He said that WP’s move showed that it had plans to be present in Punggol East for the long haul, and that it is certainly a good move which will strengthen its positive image among voters. WP would have been perceived as opportunistic if it had fielded Gerald Giam. Assistant Prof Tan added that should Lee Li Lian be elected, she would serve as an alternative voice and would help WP attract female voters and members, being a young woman. He also said that the Singapore Democratic Party’s wait for WP to reveal its “trump card” showed the former’s lack of faith in voters. It suggested that SDP would contest in the by-election only if it views Lee Li Lian as a “lightweight”. Ultimately, Assistant Prof Tan regarded this to be a battle between the PAP and WP.
Lianhe Wanbao