Goh let down by Opposition’s lack of interest in taking up challenge

SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong said on Tuesday he was a “little disappointed” that the Opposition did not appear keen to take up his challenge to contest his constituency, Marine Parade GRC. 

He said in Beijing last Friday that his team in the upcoming election would include four new candidates and one first-term MP, and dared the Opposition to take him on in Marine Parade. 

No opposition party has so far said it would do so, although it is believed that the Workers' Party is considering such a move. 

Asked for his response, Goh said: “Yes, I'm a little disappointed. I thought they should welcome it.” 

His new GRC team includes Dr Ong Seh Hong, 44, who will move from Aljunied GRC, and four new People's Action Party candidates: Dr Fatimah Lateef, 40, Lim Biow Chuan, 43, Seah Kian Peng, 44, and Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, 38. 

Goh said he felt good about his team, adding: “I would feel even better if the four candidates had a chance to contest against the Opposition. 

“They are good people and I am quite happy to have four young ones helping me.” 

Goh wrapped up his official weeklong visit to China on Tuesday after touring a museum and an urban planning centre in Shanghai. He is scheduled to return to Singapore on Saturday after attending a World Bank meeting in Washington. 

Commenting on the new PAP election manifesto unveiled last Saturday by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Goh described it as paving “solid steps” for the better future of the country. 

“We do not believe in jazzing it up, in beautiful language, in magical terms. That's not the style of the PAP,” he said. 

“I saw it before I left Singapore on this trip and we all agreed that it is the way forward for Singapore. It is our future, and therein lies the importance of the manifesto for Singaporeans.” 

He hinted last week that Singapore could go to the polls next month, and Singaporeans he met during the trip have been quizzing him about it. – The Straits Times / Asia News Network