SMU Assistant Professor Eugene Tan analysed the performance of the four political parties contesting in the Punggol East by-elections. He said that the People’s Action Party (PAP) was cautious and it had shown sincerity by apologising about the need for a by-election. While Koh Poh Koon might be an unfamiliar face to many, this could work to his advantage, as he need not carry the burden of PAP. The Workers’ Party, on the other hand, had shown its confidence and capabilities through this by-election. While the Reform Party’s Kenneth Jeyaretnam had made some attention-grabbing campaign promises, they were overshadowed by the death threat episode. Lastly, the Singapore Democratic Alliance did not appear to have a coherent strategy, and Desmond Lim’s campaign could have been hampered by a shortage of funds.