From the site of a historic opposition victory in 2011 to the scene of a nail-biting near-loss for the Workers' Party's A team in 2015, Aljunied GRC has been in the heat of battle for two elections running and looks set to be so again.
HIGH STAKES For the People's Action Party, this is a chance to regain the only opposition-held GRC before the 4G leadership takes over the reins. This is a scenario the WP has repeatedly urged voters to avoid. Having elected opposition MPs, it says, will improve the sensitivity of the Government to citizens' concerns and serve as a check and balance on the ruling PAP. It will also build up opposition members to be effective parliamentarians and town councillors.
Conversely, it is the integrity of the WP leadership that the PAP has called into question. The High Court found last October that Mr Pritam Singh, Ms Lim and Mr Low had breached their duties towards Aljunied-Hougang Town Council , said to have made millions in improper payments under their watch. This time, they say, it is jobs and the economy, both of which have taken a hit due to the Covid-19 pandemic, that weigh on voters' minds.
The Government has stressed that saving jobs and creating better ones are its top priority. It has pulled out all the stops with $93 billion worth of Covid-19 support measures across four Budgets, which could draw up to $52 billion in past reserves. "Most Singaporeans are pragmatic," he says."In times of a crisis, voters will be a bit more cautious and will likely gravitate towards a party that is better able to meet their needs."
Then, there is also the Low Thia Khiang factor, says Prof Bilveer Singh, pointing to the former WP chief's iconic stature in opposition politics in Singapore. Rounding off the slate are Mr Pritam Singh, Ms Lim, 55, and Mr Faisal, 45, all familiar faces to the residents there. The WP chief said last Friday that he did not rule out Mr Low supporting the campaign in"one way or another".
The team is likely to remain intact, although last-minute swops cannot be ruled out. In 2015, veteran MP Yeo Guat Kwang, who served four terms in office - one of them in Aljunied - replaced Ms Chan just two weeks before the election, when she pulled out due to family commitments.
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