I'm still very encouraged: PAP's Desmond Choo

A day after his defeat at the Hougang by-election, People's Action Party's (PAP) Desmond Choo went around the estate on Sunday morning thanking residents for their support.

Before the thank-you tour, Choo had told reporters that he still remains "very encouraged" by the results as despite his loss, "it was an improvement in the percentage", reported The Straits Times (ST).

"We reversed a downward trend which was of a big positive for myself and the team," the 34-year-old deputy director at National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) added.

Although Choo lost Saturday's by-election to Workers' PartyPng Eng Huat, garnering only 37.91 per cent of total eligible votes, he had a near three percentage jump from last May.

Then, he had lost the same seat to WP's Yaw Shin Leong with 35.2 per cent of votes -- the lowest share of votes by a PAP candidate in the constituency.

[Slideshow: Thank you's all around in Hougang]

Throughout the nearly three-hour parade, Choo appeared upbeat, waving to residents -- with some returning the gesture enthusiastically and offering bits of encouragement to the grassroots leader.

However, as the PAP convoy turned into Hougang Avenue 5, near the coffeeshop where WP supporters had gathered, shouts of disapproval were heard from the rowdy crowd as they cheered for WP's Png instead.

The crowd at Block 322 coffeeshop of about 200 were shouting "Huat ah!", in reference to Png, with a minority even making rude gestures.

When asked by reporters what he had thought of the reception during the parade, the grassroots advisor smiled and said, "You've seen it for yourself, it was pretty much expected".