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Tin Pei Ling ‘a factor’ for weaker performance: SM Goh

Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has admitted that the negative publicity surrounding Tin Pei Ling was a factor to the People's Action Party's (PAP) weaker performance at Marine Parade Group Representation Constituency (GRC).

Speaking after his team's victory parade around Marine Parade GRC on Sunday morning, SM Goh said that she has been given that negative image from the very start and added that her youth was also a factor.

"I mean, she was a factor. Nicole Seah was also a factor. She communicated very well. She spoke quite persuasively to the younger people as well as some older people.

"So, I could sense that quite a few people supported her. So both were factors," he said.

However, SM Goh added that Tin is not at fault in wanting to be an MP.

"They thought it's all Tin Pei Ling's fault. It's not," he said.

"The PAP wanted to have a representative slate. She came in on that basis by the PAP. We knew that she was young but we know that she will grow. I think that's the key.

"We wanted her. If there's anything, we knew that she would be young and inexperienced but we are quite happy.

"And the main thing is she has got through. And that's the reason why people are unhappy that such a young and inexperienced person has got through," he added.

"We have five years. If after five years, Tin Pei Ling remains what she is, then of course, she would still be a factor at the next election.

"But at this stage, looking at her action, in three years time, she would be a different Tin Pei Ling."

Over 40,000 people have signed a Facebook online petition to remove Tin as an MP-elect.

However, unfazed by the backlash from netizens, Tin is looking forward to helping MacPherson residents.

"I would like to start small, from within MacPherson, because now I am an elected MP for MacPherson, so that would still be my priority for now.

"I hope that through my action, my work in MacPherson, that can be used as a start for me to prove myself and to gain the trust of Singapore," said the 27-year-old.

SM Goh's team, two-term MPs Seah Kian Peng and Fatimah Lateef, and two new faces former army general Tan Chuan-Jin and business consultant Tin Pei Ling, garnered 56.7 per cent of the votes, edging their National Solidarity Party opponents.

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