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[SINGAPORE] The May 3 general election is going to be a “tough fight” for the Workers’ Party (WP), even if last-minute changes to the ruling People’s Action Party’s (PAP) lineup were expected, WP chief Pritam Singh said on Wednesday (Apr 23) as Nomination Day proceedings close.

“We expected this because it is no coincidence to me, at least, that areas WP would likely contest were reserved to the end, when the PAP were making their announcements,” Singh told reporters.

The PAP sprang a few surprises at the eleventh hour, switching Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to Punggol GRC, from Chua Chu Kang GRC. Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who was expected to helm Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC, moved to Chua Chu Kang GRC instead.

Ahead of Nomination Day, it was unclear if Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean, who said he was not seeking re-election in Pasir Ris-Changi GRC, would be fielded in Punggol GRC.

Instead, SM Teo was not fielded anywhere, while Marine Parade-Braddell Heights will see a walkover, with the WP not contesting there.

Tampines GRC faces a four-cornered fight, among which WP is one of the contenders with a team of mostly first-timers led by Faisal Manap, formerly from Aljunied GRC.

Asked if WP had made a miscalculation by not contesting in Marine Parade-Braddell Heights GRC but is instead facing a four-cornered fight in Tampines GRC, Singh said: “It’s not a case as if everyone knew in advance that the PAP would field the slate (in Marine Parade GRC).”

“I’m not going to say it’s a weakened slate because there’s no such thing as weak candidates,” he said. “I’m sure they were watching where we were going, but this is what we’ve decided to do.”

As for why Faisal has been moved to Tampines GRC, Singh replied that he “has always wanted to stand in Tampines”.

Apart from PAP and WP, Tampines GRC is also being contested by the National Solidarity Party and People’s Power Party.

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