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The Straits Times

www.straitstimes.com Published on Jan 21, 2011

PAP's Sitoh still keen on standing in Potong Pasir

By Teo Wan Gek
THE People's Action Party's (PAP) grassroots adviser in Potong Pasir, Mr Sitoh Yih Pin, is not interested in
contesting anywhere other than in the opposition-held ward.
'If I can decide my political destiny, I want to stay and fight for a third time, even though I know it's very
challenging and difficult,' he told The Straits Times when contacted yesterday
'After more than 10 years, Potong Pasir has become my second home.'
Mr Sitoh, 47 and chairman of an accounting firm, contested in 2001 and 2006 but lost both times to the
Singapore Democratic Alliance's Mr Chiam See Tong.
If he runs again, he could face Mr Chiam's wife Lina, 61, as Mr Chiam has indicated interest in contesting a
group representation constituency (GRC).
The next general election must be held by February next year.
Mr Sitoh, who is now abroad, said yesterday that he was not aware of comments by his PAP counterpart in
Hougang - grassroots adviser Eric Low - who said that he was not keen on contesting the next election.
No PAP candidate has stood more than twice in Potong Pasir. Mr Chiam beat the PAP's Mr Mah Bow Tan in
the 1984 polls; Mr Kenneth Chen in 1988; and Mr Andy Gan in 1991 and 1997.
Mr Mah, who is now National Development Minister, was elected in 1988 as an MP for Tampines GRC. Mr
Chen entered Parliament in 1991 as an MP for Hong Kah GRC, and Mr Gan was elected in 2001 as an MP for
Marine Parade GRC.
When asked for his response should he be offered a place in a GRC, Mr Sitoh said: 'How do you know the
offer of going to a GRC has not been made?
'But if I can have my say, I hope to stay on here. That is what I want to do to fulfil our plans for the residents.'
Much of the desire to stay in Potong Pasir may be tied to his plans for the area.
He disclosed yesterday that poll results from the first Potong Pasir precinct to be offered the Lift Upgrading
Programme (LUP) were positive.
There was 95 per cent support from residents of the nine blocks in Potong Pasir Avenue 1 for the programme,
which has lifts stopping on every floor.
The LUP programme in eligible HDB estates can proceed only when 75 per cent of homes vote for it.
He thanked residents for their support and said work would start in the third quarter of this year. LUP polling
for a second batch of 22 blocks is expected to begin in the second half of this year.
Mr Sitoh also said he is working with the Housing Board on the remaining flats in Potong Pasir and Toa Payoh
Lorong 8 that have yet to come under the programme.

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