1984–2011: Chiam See Tong era
1984–1996: SDP era
During the 1984 general election, Chiam contested as an SDP candidate in the constituency again. Howe retired from politics that year and did not contest the constituency; PAP newcomer Mah Bow Tan was sent to contest it. [8] In the lead-up to the election, then-Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew compared Chiam and Mah's GCE Ordinary Level results in a rally speech: "Mah Bow Tan, age 16, took his O Levels — six distinctions, two credits. Mr Chiam, age 18 — six credits, one pass." The Prime Minister's Office later conveyed an apology from Lee for making an error about Chiam's results; Chiam had actually gotten seven credits. [9] Chiam was elected MP for Potong Pasir after winning the election with 60.28% of the vote to Mah's 39.72%. [10] [11]
In 1988, the constituency was renamed Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency with the creation of group representation constituencies (GRCs). [12] Chiam retained his seat with an improved 63.13% of the vote against PAP candidate Kenneth Chen. [13]
In 1991, Chiam won reelection with 69.64% of the vote against PAP candidate Andy Gan. [14] [15]
1997–2011: SPP/SDA era
In December 1996, when Parliament was dissolved ahead of the 1997 general election, Chiam left the SDP and joined the Singapore People's Party (SPP), formed from a pro-Chiam former SDP faction which had left in 1994. [15] He assumed leadership of the SPP and stood for reelection in Potong Pasir SMC under its banner, becoming the first SPP MP after winning 55.15% of the vote against Gan. [16] [17] [15]
2011–present: Post-opposition era
2011: Withdrawal of SPP from SDA / PAP gain / election of Sitoh Yih Pin
On 28 February 2011, prior to the general election in the same year, the SDA removed Chiam from his position as chairperson of the coalition. [22] [23] Subsequently, on 2 March, Chiam announced that he would withdraw the SPP from the SDA. [23]
In the 2011 general election, Chiam did not contest his seat, instead leading an ultimately defeated five-member team to contest the neighbouring Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC. [24] His wife, Lina Loh, [a] became the SPP candidate for the SMC; a recount confirmed that Sitoh defeated her by 0.72% of the vote, or 114 votes. [25] [20] Being the best-performing defeated opposition candidate, she was offered the first of three non-constituency MP (NCMP) seats at the election and accepted it. [26] While Chiam stated his opposition to the NCMP scheme, the SPP reasoned that it was "critical" to ensure an "alternative voice in Parliament", to allow the party to "remain engaged in national issues", and to be publicly visible until the next election due by 2016. Loh also claimed that she was "influenced by the wishes of Potong Pasir residents" and that she accepted the post as her losing margin was too small. [27]
2015: PAP entrenchment
In the 2015 general election, Sitoh retained his seat with 66.41% of the vote in a rematch against Loh, who did not return to Parliament. [28] [20]
2025: Population increase and retirement of Sitoh
For the 2025 general election, after an increase in population due to new developments in the Bidadari area under the SMC, the EBRC returned two of its polling districts to the new Marine Parade–Braddell Heights GRC, the successor to the now-defunct Marine Parade GRC. [32] At that election, the SMC had 30,971 registered voters, an increase of 67% from 2020. [33]
On 16 April, it was announced that Sitoh would retire from Parliament and that he would be replaced by Alex Yeo, a former branch chair for the PAP in the Paya Lebar division of Aljunied GRC, held by the opposition Workers' Party (WP). [34] On 22 April, SPP announced that party treasurer Williamson Lee would contest the constituency. [35] On nomination day, Lim Tean, secretary-general of the coalition People's Alliance for Reform (PAR) and leader of constituent party Peoples Voice (PV), was also nominated to contest the constituency, resulting in a three-way fight between PAP, SPP and PAR. [36] Yeo proceeded to win with 69.2% of the vote against Lee's 22.46% and Lim's 8.33%; Lim lost his electoral deposit for not winning at least 12.5% of the vote. [33]
