"An old friend who served Hougang to the best of his abilities" - Eric Low Siak Meng, 75
People's Action Party (PAP) candidate for Hougang Eric Low Siak Meng (garlanded) and supporters at Serangoon stadium, the assembly centre for PAP and their supporters during Singapore General Election
Source: National Archives Singapore
Eric Low Siak Meng 刘锡明, who contested in the 2001 and 2006 General Election as the People's Action Party candidate for Hougang SMC, passed away last night (Jan 2). He was 75.
Member of Parliament for Tampines GRC, Desmond Choo, announced Mr Low’s death on his Facebook earlier today (Jan 3), stating that “it was unexpected even though he was getting more frail with age”. He remembered Mr Low as “an old friend”, who “served Hougang faithfully and to the best of his abilities”.
Received the sad news that brother Eric Low passed on last night. It was unexpected even though he was getting more...
Posted by Desmond Choo 朱倍庆 on Monday, 2 January 2023
In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, Mr Choo, who took over from Mr Low as the grassroots advisor of Hougang SMC in 2010, reminisced the many memories he shared with Mr Low whilst serving in the grassroots at Hougang, a ward won by the Workers’ Party in 1991 and retained by the latter ever since.
Mr Choo described Mr Low as a magnanimous veteran/senior [of the Party], and a person who was ever so kind to dish out a useful piece of advice to him. Mr Low had introduced him to the key stakeholders in Hougang and encouraged PAP activists in the constituency to lend their support to him.
His political participation
Mr Eric Low was twice defeated by former
Workers' Party Secretary-General, Mr Low Thia Khiang. In the 2001 and 2006 GE, Mr Low polled 45.02% and 37.26% of the eligible votes respectively.
2001 General Election: Hougang SMC
2006 General Election: Hougang SMC
In 2011, Mr Low announced that he would not be standing in the upcoming general election citing age as the main factor.
His service to the community
A person known for his generosity and sincerity, Mr Low had served 10 years as a member of the Board of Visitors to SAF Detention Barracks (1989 to 1999); Honorary General Secretary of the National Council of Social Service (1990 to 2001) and Community Chest of Singapore. He was also the Vice-Chairman of the National Crime Prevention Council (1998 to 2012), and a Board Member of the Casino Regulatory Authority (2011 to 2013).
As late as 31 March 2018, Mr Low was also a Board member of the People’s Association. He also served as an advisor to Arielle Law Corporation, Beacon International College, SHINE Children and Youth Services.
Under his leadership, SHINE Students Care Service grew and expanded from an office-setting based in Penang Lane to operating three service centres located at Clementi, Hougang and Yishun. Mr Low was passionate about helping children and youths in need, and has made invaluable and enormous contribution to SHINE. After stepping down from the helm, Mr Low continued to support SHINE in his capacity as Chief Advisor.
Mr Low also served as an independent director of several company, not least the Katrina Group Ltd, where he resigned “due to personal reasons”.
In 2019, Mr Low was awarded the Outstanding Service Award by the Singapore Red Cross.
For his dedication to community work, Mr Low was awarded the following National Day Awards – Public Service Medal (PBM) in 1989, Public Service Star (BBM) in 1997 and Public Service Star BBM(L) in 2008.
Source: PAP's flickr
Details of his wake
Date: 3 to 6 January 2023
Address: Church of the Holy Spirit Oratory. 248 Upper Thomson Rd, Singapore 574371
Visitation: 10am to 10pm (Nightly service at 8pm)
Cremation: 7 January 2023
Top image: Eric Low receiving the Meritorious Service Medal Winner from then PAP Chairman Khaw Boon Wan
(Source: People's Action Party)
