By-Election

News items between Nomination Day, 16 May 12 and one day after Polling Day, 26 May 12:

a) The Workers' Party candidate for Hougang, Png Eng Huat, said the composition in Singapore Parliament is "too lopsided".

He said democracy is about political and social equality and it is something he doesn't see in Parliament as the majority of MPs are from the People's Action Party.

Mr Png made this point in response to comments by his PAP opponent, Desmond Choo. Mr Choo had urged voters not to "mix up" the democratic process with the need for alternative voices in Parliament.

b) Workers' Party's Png Eng Huat won the Hougang by-election with 13,447 votes against PAP's Desmond Choo's 8210 votes. Mr Png won the single-seat constituency with 62.09% of the vote against Mr Choo 37.91%.

The by-election was held to fill the seat vacated by former Member of Parliament Yaw Shin Leong, who was expelled from the Workers' Party following reports of his personal indiscretions. Mr Yaw had won the seat in May 2011 General Election with 64.8% of the vote, against Mr Choo's 35.2%.

c) Hougang's grassroots advisor Desmond Choo said he would do his best to support projects that are sound and in the best interests of residents in the single member constituency.

Mr Choo was speaking to reporters on Sunday morning before he went around Hougang to thank residents. He was asked if he would support projects, such as the Home Improvement Programme, in Hougang. Mr Choo, who was the candidate for the People Action Party, lost Hougang by-election after he secured only about 38% of the vote.

d) Uphold integrity & excellence, DPM Teo tells civil servants

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said greater citizen interest and engagement in how the government carries out its business should be welcomed, and public officers must adapt to a closer partnership in those they serve.

In the message to some 130,000 public officers to celebrate Public Service Week, Mr Teo, who is also Minister in charge of the Civil Service, urged public officers to continue to earn the trust of the public.

e) The Public Service is adding three service principles to better guide the relationship between the Public Service and Singaporeans.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who is also the Minister in charge of the Civil Service, said these are people-centricity, mutual courtesy and respect, and shared responsibility for public good. Mr Teo was speaking to public officers at the annual Excellence in Public Service Awards Ceremony on Friday.

f) HDB is stepping up efforts to build stronger community ties by recreating the kampong spirit in housing estates.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan described the HDB's effort as a campaign to simply "love thy neighbour".

g) Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said that as a small country, Singapore needs a strong armed forces to ensure its continued survival.

Speaking at the Temasek Society 30th Anniversary dialogue session, Mr Lee said without a strong Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) "there is no economic future" and "there is no security".

Mr Lee said the SAF has done better than he had hoped.

2. The owner had hoped his case could be mentioned during the by-election. But earlier, the potential office of ombudsman was raised in parliament and the CUTS filed in the Prime Minister Office. The CUTS is at www.wp.sg of the Workers' Party dated 7 Mar 12.

3. Ombudsman: official empowered to investigate individual complaints of bureaucratic injustice.