Commenting on heavyweights from the People’s Action Party (PAP) visiting and speaking to residents of Punggol East for the by-election, SMU Assistant Law Professor Eugene Tan said: “It shows PAP takes the by-election very seriously. The by-election is laden with symbolic meaning. If the PAP wins by less than 50 per cent, some may look at this as a defeat. So they are not going to take things for granted.” He said that in the 2011 General Election, Punggol East was fourth from the bottom of the 12 SMCs. PAP won with 54.54 per cent of the votes to WP’s 41.01. “It’s not a strong PAP seat. The heavyweights showing up in Punggol East is an attempt to ensure that the party doesn’t suffer a defeat which could make the task of governing a challenge,” he said.