'New chapter in Singapore history'
With the loss of the first group representation constituency to the Opposition, a new chapter has opened in Singapore's history, said Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo on Sunday early morning.
Speaking to an emotional crowd at Bedok Stadium, a sombre Mr Yeo said, " A new chapter has opened in Singapore's history. It's a tide which we were not able to overcome but that's life."
The People's Action Party's Aljunied team led by Mr Yeo garnered 45 per cent of the votes, while the Workers' Party 'A team' led by WP chief Low Thia Khiang won by a surprising margin of over 9 percentage points, with 54 per cent of the votes. (Rest of results here.)
Aljunied GRC, comprising of over 143,000 voters, was the most hotly contested ward in this General Election.
As PAP supporters continued to cheer for him and his team, Mr Yeo was gracious in defeat and congratulated the WP victors.
"It was a great campaign, we fought hard, we have no regrets," he said, thanking residents for their support, affection and friendship. "We respect the decision of the people of Aljunied."
"I hope Mr Low Thia Khiang and his colleagues will look after the people of Aljunied well and we wish them every success," said Mr Yeo.
The other members of his team -- Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Zainul Abidin Rasheed, Minister Lim Hwee Hua, Cynthia Phua and new candidate Ong Ye Kung (who was tipped to be an office-holder) -- then stepped forward to give their thanks to supporters and residents.
Ms Lim, Singapore's first woman minister, said the team respected voters' decision and thanked them for the privilege of having served them for the last 15 years.
Mr Zainul said, the results bring about "a new path for Aljunied" and "a new challenge" for him, but added that he will "always be of service" to Singapore.
As the Aljunied team left the stage, supporters fell into a stunned silence -- their first of the night.
This was until the volume for the Channel NewsAsia broadcast, shown on two big screens next to the stage, was turned up, showing WP's Low giving his thank you speech, prompting one supporter to shout "Shut up!".
Mr Yeo left the stadium without speaking to the media, while some other members of the team stayed back to speak to their supporters.
One supporter Eunice, 30, said the PAP had performed well overall, but it was "a pity for Aljunied".
"George Yeo and his team have worked very hard. Many residents will be disappointed," she said, appearing to be holding back her tears.
She had nothing but praise for Mr Yeo whom she worked with during her time as a grassroots volunteer in Aljunied GRC.
Another supporter Vincent Low said, "I'm very sad for George Yeo. He did so much for Singapore." The 59-year-old had gone to Bedok Stadium just to support Mr Yeo,
"It was a very big shock tonight. (I would like) to ask him not to give up and come back again at the next election. He must be a fighter," he said.
MIXED REACTION
Some residents Yahoo! Singapore spoke to were saddened to see a good minister leave Parliament but were also glad to see an Opposition team breakthrough in a GRC.
Aljunied voter Nuraini Malik, 22, a Nanyang Technological University student said, "I'm sad that George is no longer a minister, because he was a very good one."
"But then again, I'm still very happy because this WP team has been really outstanding with their speeches and manifesto. I feel that change is in the air. Now hopefully they can deliver!"
Said Aljunied voter Irwin Tan, 23, "Given George Yeo's track record in Aljunied, we have lost a very good MP, but I'm okay with any party that can continue to take care of the ward. I hope that the WP can make good on their pre-election promises."
Undergraduate Brendan Mok, 23, added, "It's sad that he has to go, but I'm really happy that WP won because it shows that Singaporeans are not as apathetic to politics as they seem. I'm heartened that the electorate has voted for the opposition and that they are happy to do so."
However, to business development manager Aaron Tiong, who lives in Aljunied GRC, said no matter who won in Aljunied, "Singapore lost".
"Both sides in Aljunied had good candidates, but because of the way it was structured it was a waste," he said, referring to the GRC system.
Reaction from users of micro-blogging platform Twitter also lamented the fact that Minister Yeo lost.
User @limxingzhijoel tweeted, "Oh my god. George Yeo and Cynthia Phua lost. Aljunied what have you done?" while @A_myyy tweeted," Why must we lose George Yeo? He is such a good minister!"
@energywen blamed Aljunied voters, saying, "You guys probably don't know that the stakes of your votes are not just ur local MP but the country's foreign minister as well. Thanks for screwing Singapore."
Others blamed the GRC system for the Minister being dropped from Parliament. User @heysihui tweeted, "For those complaining about George Yeo going out: Abolish the damned GRC system."
