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Former PAP Punggol East candidate is back… in a funny health video

Remember Dr Koh Poh Koon?

The name should ring a bell for he's the People's Action Party candidate who stood in Punggol East SMC earlier this year in the fateful by-election that followed former Speaker of Parliament Michael Palmer's fall from grace.

He lost by a significant margin to Workers' Party Lee Li Lian and went back to his medical practice as a respected colorectal surgeon. The 40-year-old and father of two now seems to have found a new cause to be passionate about: colorectal cancer and the need to detect it early.

Hence, his return to the public sphere in what is termed "Dr Koh's new campaign", a two-and-a-half minute video featuring "blood and toilet humour", as well as an exploration into the dual meaning of the word "colon". The video aims to educate people on the three steps in dealing with colorectal cancer: screening, early diagnosis and effective treatment.

Though not the main character, Koh cameos as the doctor providing medical advice on behalf of Fortis Healthcare, who opened the first single-specialty hospital, Fortis Colorectal Hospital, in July 2012 on Adam Road.

There is even a passing reference to his by-election campaign earlier this year, as he is being garlanded, but the producers of the video were careful to remain politically neutral.

Since it was uploaded on Monday, the video has received just over 1,000 views.