Sengkang East branch Chair Marcus Loh describes his team as PAP underdogs in opposition-held Sengkang GRC

SINGAPORE — Marcus Loh, the newly-appointed People’s Action Party (PAP) Sengkang East branch chairperson has described his team as the underdogs heading into the next general election, as they faced the opposition Workers’ Party in the Sengkang GRC.

Loh made the comment on his Facebook page, which he wrote in reply to an article written by a mainstream media to announce his new role in PAP’s Sengkang East branch. The PAP also appointed a new branch head in another opposition-held ward. Jackson Lam replaced Lee Hong Chuang as Hougang branch chairperson on Oct 17. Lee contested in Hougang SMC in two general elections and lost to WP’s Png Eng Huat (57.66%) in 2015, and against WP’s Dennis Tan (61.21%) in 2020.

Outgoing PAP Sengkang East branch chairperson Ling Weihong officially handed over the leadership to Loh on Nov 1. Together with the other branch chairpersons in Sengkang GRC – Lam Pin Min (Sengkang West), Elmie Nekmat (Sengkang Central), and Theodora Lai (Sengkang North) –  Loh will have the task of winning back the constituency from the opposition Workers’ Party at the next General Election, which is due by Nov 2025.

“…my team and I at Sengkang East are going to be the clear underdogs. Contesting in an opposition-held division as Sengkang East is going to be an uphill climb. The incumbent team of Sengkang MPs has had the privilege of proving themselves for the last 3 years; they have been accorded a national platform in Parliament; and the backing of a formidable Party machinery both online and offline,” shared Loh on his social media page.

Loh added that the people should not be afraid and should step forward and be counted. He also acknowledged that to contest in an opposition-held ward would not be easy and that the odds would be stacked against him and the team.

“I did so because I am convinced that we must win the contest of ideas and offer a strong alternative to the ‘alternatives’ offered by the incumbent MP in Sengkang East. After engaging with residents and stakeholders here, our resolve has only strengthened,” shared the director of a digital transformation firm.

Although Loh may see his team as the underdogs in Sengkang GRC going up against the opposition-incumbent WP MPs. He may still be able to rally the support from their party leaders such as Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong who joined the PAP’s Sengkang team at their recent walkabout at the end of Oct.

“DPM Lawrence Wong joined Dr Lam Pin Min, Elmie Nekmat, Weihong, the Sengkang team and I to greet and engage with residents in Sengkang GRC on Sunday morning. Theodora Lai couldn’t join us as she had to represent us at an overseas study trip that happened at the same time. For several families, it wasn’t the first time seeing our People’s Action Party team. We’ve met during our frequent house visits, community events, and sometimes, in life’s most cruel moments, where the presence of leadership and friendship can lend comfort and make a difference to the residents undergoing these tragedies,” mentioned 40-year-old Loh on his Facebook.

At the previous election, the PAP team (47.88%) led by NTUC secretary-general Ng Chee Meng, former senior minister of state Lam Pin Min, Raymond Lye and Amrin Amin lost to WP’s team (52.12%) of Jamus Lim, He Ting Ru, Louis Chua and Raeesah Khan. /TISG