Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa hopes to defend his seat, sees another fierce fight

He says he is ready to take on SDP’s Paul Tambyah in possible repeat of 2020 contest

- Lee Li Ying

Bukit Panjang MP Liang Eng Hwa hopes to stay on to defend his seat in the upcoming general election, and expects a repeat of a fierce fight against the same opponent in the last polls.

"I'm ready to stand. I look forward to serving again, and I hope I can be fielded in Bukit Panjang again," he told The Straits Times when asked if he will be contesting the election.

The four-term PAP MP faced Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) chairman Paul Tambyah in a closely watched fight in 2020, and prevailed with 53.73 per cent of the vote.

The SDP has announced that it will field Professor Tambyah in Bukit Panjang - the largest single-member constituency with 33,566 voters — in the upcoming polls.

In an exclusive interview with ST on April 11, Mr Liang called Prof Tambyah "a formidable opponent".

"He wants us to think that he's the underdog, but I don't think that's the case. He stands a good chance, like me, of winning the SMC. The outcome could go either way, and I'll do my best."

He added: "But I say this with humility — I believe I'm able to do a better job than (Prof Tambyah)... I know (Bukit Panjang) very well, and I have a track record of getting things done, be it big or small projects."

Mr Liang is not letting his battle with cancer hold him back either.

The 60-year-old was diagnosed with stage 2 nose cancer in July 2023. After undergoing 33 sessions of radiotherapy treatment, he was cleared of cancer and resumed his MP duties in mid-September 2023.