WP's Lee Li Lian won't accept NCMP position
It looks like Ms Lee Li Lian can have more time for her 14-month-old daughter Karys, now that she is no longer the MP for Punggol East.
Ms Lee, 37, says: "Being a full-time mother doesn't seem like a bad idea."
The Workers' Party (WP) candidate was speaking to reporters after a thank-you procession yesterday.
Ms Lee had been edged out by Mr Charles Chong, 62, a veteran MP of People's Action Party (PAP). He won with a close margin of 3.52 per cent or 51.76 per cent of the valid votes. She confesses: "I have not seen my daughter since Friday."
Her parents have been helping to take care of the toddler during the GE hustings.
Ms Lee says: "I have not thought of what to do next. We need to evaluate to see how we go forward."
She notes that if Punggol East SMC is still around, she may contest again "with the party's support".
In 2013, Ms Lee won 54.50 per cent of the votes in a by-election after the then-MP Michael Palmer resigned, following an extramarital affair.
On what could have been the reason for the loss this time, she says: "We really have no idea. We need to analyse that."
She concedes that municipal issues could be one reason.
"I don't discount that as one of the reasons. I believe it is a mixture of a lot of other factors also."
Ms Lee has said she will not accept the Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) position.
She says: "I respect the voters' decision. There are better people in the party that we should showcase. Let the people see how good these people are."
Bidding farewell too is Mrs Lina Chiam, 66, who lost her NCMP seat following her defeat in Potong Pasir SMC.
PAP's Sitoh Yih Pin, 51, won 66.41 per cent of the total votes cast.
In two Facebook posts, Mrs Chiam, the Singapore People's Party chairman, writes: "This is a time of great challenge for Singapore. I hope that Singaporeans can work hand in hand with their elected MP to help the Government create better policies...
"Potong Pasir is close to my heart.
"I was proud to have served you and Singaporeans in my capacity as NCMP."
Get The New Paper on your phone with the free TNP app. Download from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store now
