Punggol GRC: PAP 55.17%, WP 44.83% 'Task force man' Gan Kim Yong leads PAP to Punggol GRC win

He thanks residents for their trust despite being a 'newbie' to the town

- Zhaki Abdullah Ng Keng Gene Nadine Chua and Shaffiq Alkhatib

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong led his PAP team to victory in the newly formed Punggol GRC, beating a team of first-time candidates from the WP with 55.17 per cent of the vote.

The WP claimed 44.83 per cent of the vote. Of the votes cast, 63,589 went to the PAP, 51,663 were for the WP and 822 were rejected.

After the results were announced, Mr Gan, who is also the Minister for Trade and Industry, said that there is still work to be done as Singapore is facing an "imminent crisis".

"It's a global crisis. We have talked about it many times, and it is approaching nearer and nearer, and we need to work together, work in unison. We must stay united so that we are able to face the challenges of tomorrow," he said.

A close fight had been expected between the two parties since Nomination Day on April 23, when a surprise decision by the PAP for DPM Gan to helm its Punggol team pit him against WP new face Harpreet Singh, 59.

DPM Gan, 66, was expected to lead PAP's slate for Chua Chu Kang GRC, where he had served for three consecutive terms. Mr Singh, a senior counsel, was expected to be fielded in East Coast or Marine Parade-Braddell Heights.