Dr Koh Poh Koon to wait for PM Lee for next steps
Saying he was still around to do his best despite his loss Saturday, People’s Action Party candidate Dr Koh Poh Koon gamely went on a tour of Punggol East Sunday morning to thank residents and supporters.
At the gathering site at the PCF Punggol East Education centre Sunday for the thank you parade, Koh told reporters he would wait for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s decision before seeing where else he could contribute.
Soon after the Punggol East by-election results were announced, Lee said he intended to field Koh again in a future election so that the colorectal surgeon could be part of his team to serve Singapore.
Regardless of what the prime minister decides, Koh said that the branch will continue serving the residents.
“We have built some bond here,” the 40-year-old said.
Looking calm and cheery even though he said he barely got a night’s rest, he also noted that there was a need for PAP to “sit down and look at the results and think deeper”.
Koh received 43 per cent out of the 29,415 votes cast while Workers’ Party candidate Lee Li Lian garnered over 54 per cent of votes. Lee made history by being the first woman opposition elected into the parliament.
On the tour, Koh was accompanied by MP and Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, and other PAP members who appeared just as jovial as Koh on board the PAP parade bus.
As the PAP team waved to the residents, some waved back and others told them it was “okay”. The atmosphere was calm as the candidate puts on a spirited face.
Though passersby waved back, no PAP flags were seen carried around by residents. No PAP supporter was seen waiting for the tour bus to arrive either. Many blue umbrellas and flags representing the WP party, however, could be found.
Koh, however, said they put up a good fight. “We garnered 43 per cent of the votes having been on the ground for two weeks. I thought that wasn’t too bad,” he noted.
At one point during the tour, Koh’s convoy crossed paths with the lorry carrying the WP team. The candidates and supporters on either side waved to and applauded each other.
Koh said he wished Lee the best in her future role as Member of Parliament (MP).
“I think the residents have made their choice and it’s an opportunity for her to show what she can do for the residents,” he said.
For his part, Koh, who will be doing his reservist by tomorrow, said, “I am grateful for the opportunity to connect with the residents. I feel encouraged.”
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