By Imelda Saad, Channel NewsAsia, 14 Jan 2013
The Workers' Party (WP) has fielded Lee Li Lian as its candidate for the Punggol East by-election on 26 January.
She was also the party's candidate for the ward in the last General Election in 2011, when she garnered about 41 per cent of votes cast.
The 34-year-old financial institution trainer said she grew up in a three-room HDB flat in Lorong Lew Lian and has been with the party for six years.
At a news conference at the party's headquarters on Monday morning, Ms Lee described the decision to serve Punggol East residents as "natural".
She said she's well-placed to do so - given her experience as a ground activist.
"As someone who is looking at starting a family, I can empathise with the considerations and concerns that young couples and young families are facing.
"Concerns such as raising children in a time when the cost of living is going up and the environment is becoming increasingly competitive especially in schools.
"The challenges that young families and single parents are facing and the welfare of the our elderly folks are some of the national issues I'll be focusing on," she said.
Chairman of the Workers' Party, Ms Sylvia Lim, pointed out that Ms Lee has been helping Aljunied GRC MP Pritam Singh in Eunos division - as his legislative assistant. She also works with the Aljunied-Hougang Town Council to address the concerns of residents.
She described her as sincere, reliable and committed and a team player with a heart for the people. "The party believes Li Lian is the best candidate to represent the WP in this by-election. She has some understanding of the ground from her previous campaign there and will work tirelessly to serve the residents of Punggol East.
"On a personal note, I certainly look forward to the prospect of having more elected women in the house," Ms Lim said.
Asked about why the party has not be working the ground in Punggol East, since the last elections in 2011, secretary-general Low Thia Khiang said the party decided to focus on Aljunied, and pool its resources there, after winning the seat.
Mr Low said the party decided to cease all ground activities in the wards it contested to focus on Aljunied. The plan was to give the party a year to stabilise the management in Aljunied. But he added normal party activities like the sale of its newsletter were carried out as usual in Punggol East.
Three other opposition parties - Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA)& Reform Party (RP) - have said they will contest the by-election, with the SDP even suggesting that it can field a candidate for Parliament, while the WP would run the town council, if it gets elected.
Mr Low said: "We want to make sure that our candidate when they are elected, they are prepared to work and they can connect with the people and not just go to Parliament and talk. You have to do your work on the ground, you have to run the town council, you have to really go to the ground, solve people's problems, when you are elected."
The by-election has been called to fill the seat vacated by former People's Action Party MP, Mr Michael Palmer, who resigned in December 2012 due to an extramarital affair.
The PAP introduced Dr Koh Poh Koon as its candidate for the single-seat ward on 10 January.
In the 2011 General Election, the Punggol East Single Member Constituency saw a three-way fight.
Mr Palmer won about 55 per cent of the votes; Ms Lee took about 41 per cent; and Mr Desmond Lim of the Singapore Democratic Alliance got around 4 per cent.