WP retains strongholds in Aljunied, Hougang by large margin against PAP

Aljunied team's showing mirrors 2020 poll results; Hougang candidate widens lead

- Clement Yong

The WP triumphed in its traditional strongholds of Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC with little drama, returning its core leaders – secretary-general Pritam Singh and chair Sylvia Lim – to Parliament.

Despite a national swing towards the ruling party, the WP five-member team in Aljunied GRC maintained its hold over the constituency with 59.68 per cent of the votes, against its PAP challengers' 40.32 per cent.

This is in line with its previous showing during the Covid-19 polls in 2020, when it won the five seats with 59.95 per cent of the votes.

WP candidate Dennis Tan, 54, was also re-elected for his second consecutive term in the party's storied home base, Hougang SMC – a seat it has held since 1991.

He was the rare opposition MP to buck the national trend and improve his winning margin.

His 62.17 per cent is a 1 percentage point increase from his 2020 victory of 61.21 per cent.

His rival, PAP newcomer Marshall Lim, 38, secured 37.83 per cent of the vote.

The elected Aljunied GRC MPs are Mr Singh, 48, Leader of the Opposition; Ms Lim, 60; Mr Gerald Giam, 47; Mr Fadli Fawzi, 44 – who had contested Marine Parade GRC in 2020 – and newcomer Kenneth Tiong, 36.

The losing PAP slate was led by second-time Aljunied GRC candidate Chan Hui Yuh, 48, and included four PAP new faces. They are Dr Faisal Abdul Aziz, 37; Dr Adrian Ang, 42; Mr Jagathishwaran Rajo, 37; and Mr Daniel Liu, 40.

Mr Singh thanked supporters at Serangoon Stadium, saying: "Your support has been so important in the mission of achieving and working towards a more balanced Parliament. That work also continues."

"As the team committed to you, we serve everyone equally. I look forward to working with you to make Aljunied our best home yet."