It is confirmed: Incumbent Potong Pasir MP Sitoh Yih Pin will defend his hot seat in the impending General Election (GE) against Lina Chiam of Singapore People's Party (SPP) and possibly independent candidate Tan Lam Siong.

During a "forever alone" press conference today (August 17), Sitoh spoke with microphones, a bottle of mineral water and his shadow as company.

No bigwigs from the People's Action Party (PAP) were there to support him despite having confirmation from the party's organising secretary Ng Eng Hen that he will be fielded in Potong Pasir again.

The 51-year-old then gave the media a recap of his performance since winning the Potong Pasir seat in 2011 when veteran opposition Chiam See Tong left the ward to contest in Bishan - Toa Payoh GRC.

It was Sitoh's third try having failed in the 2001 and 2006 elections. He beat Lina Chiam by just 114 votes.

This "forever alone" move is a stark contrast to the other single-ward candidates - Hougang candidate Lee Hong Chuang was introduced with the Ang Mo Kio GRC team, while Pioneer MP Cedric Foo was introduced with the West Coast GRC team.

And despite being "forever alone", Sitoh deftly used expressions and acronyms to put his points across.

1. Gotong royong

"Our approach is a very simple one. We want to build a community where we have as good facilities as possible for our residents. But at the heart of it is the 'gotong royong' spirit, a community spirit where residents come and help one another.

"The kampung spirit, the gotong royong spirit is very much alive in Potong Pasir."

Gotong Royong is a Malay expression which means a community helps each other.

2. ABCD

"After winning the election in May 2011, I told my team members we don't have much time. We have 1,500 days. We wanted the ABCD spirit - Acting Beyond the Call of Duty."

Not the first person shooter game lah.

3. "Heartware"

"I went back to look at our manifesto for 2011. We promised many things and I'm happy to report we fulfilled them all - both hardware and 'heartware'."

4. ROSE (Rice, Oil, Sugar, Essentials) Programme 

"We've been running what we call the ROSE programme for the last three years. ROSE as in R-O-S-E. We call it Rice Oil, Sugar and Essentials, actually it's much more than that. We have biscuits and can food... And consistently, the first Saturday of every month, the community comes down, and even the schools are involved, to pack goodie bags for our residents."

5. Of peanut pancakes

"Because of my relationship with him (Chiam See Tong) I am aware he likes the peanut pancake here (in Potong Pasir). The last time he came, I bought peanut pancake and we shared it."

No one knows why Sitoh was left to his own devices but could it be that the PAP is confident that Sitoh will retain his seat? After all, Potong Pasir SMC, unlike Joo Chiat SMC, was left intact and not subsumed under any GRC.

Or perhaps it's the knowledge that a potential three-corner fight – with independent candidate Tan Lam Siong in the mix – will probably dilute Lina Chiam's votes?

H/T: The Straits Times and Channel Newsasia