SINGAPORE: Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen said voters of Punggol East have decided that the Workers' Party (WP) is the better party to serve them.
Dr Ng, who is also a Member of Parliament (MP) of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, described this as democracy.
He pointed out that voters in his GRC decided in previous elections that the People's Action Party (PAP) is the better party to serve them.
Dr Ng said he and fellow Bishan-Toa Payoh MPs take this very seriously and will continue to serve residents.
He said this in response to questions from reporters on the win by WP's Lee Li Lian in the Punggol East by-election on January 26.
Ms Lee won 54.5 per cent of the valid votes while the PAP's Dr Koh Poh Koon had 43.7 per cent.
Dr Ng said the lesson for him and his fellow MPs of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is very clear.
Once voters decide which party can serve them better, their faith is entrusted in the party and they have to work very hard to serve the residents.
Responding to questions on whether the by-election outcome is a report card of the PAP's performance, Dr Ng said this is a by-election in just one constituency.
He said it should not make a difference - whether or not it's a report card, as MPs must continue to work hard to serve residents.
Asked about the point made by WP chief Low Thia Khiang that a stronger opposition presence in Parliament would make the government work harder, Dr Ng replied that he has been an MP of Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC for 11 years and added MPs continue to serve "week in and week out".
He added that voters of Bishan-Toa Payoh are the prime motivators to ensure that MPs help make their lives better.
Dr Ng, who spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a community event on Sunday morning, also congratulated Ms Lee on her win.
- CNA/fa
Voters decided WP is better party to serve them: Ng Eng Hen
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Voters decided WP is better party to serve them: Ng Eng Hen