SINGAPORE - Bukit Batok residents can expect to hear details about plans to improve their lives "in a matter of months", their new MP Murali Pillai said on Sunday (May 8) afternoon .

He will be sworn in on Monday (May 9).

"It will be a learning experience for me because it's my first sitting. I hope to learn quickly from fellow PAP MPs and I want to start contributing actively," he told The Straits Times.

The 48-year-old lawyer said he was "raring to go" and that he was working on finding as many partners for his projects.

These include a job placement programme, a health cooperative and a youth mentorship programme - plans he spoke about during his campaign.

He told reporters after a thank you procession in the estate on Sunday that he was grateful for the support.

He would also spend the next few days reflecting on his campaign, he added.

"We can always do things better," he said, adding that he will look to improve how things are run during a campaign, and make sure that messages to residents are communicated effectively.

Mr Murali became the first People's Action Party (PAP) candidate to win a by-election in a single member constituency in more than three decades.

On Saturday (May 7), he received 61.2 per cent of the vote share, beating Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan.

Jurong GRC MP Ang Wei Neng, who joined Mr Murali to thank residents at Blk 154 after the procession, said of the vote share: "We knew it would drop because it's a by-election. We thought if it was about 60 per cent, it would be good... We were surprised and satisfied with the result."

Mr Murali was also accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Minister for Community, Culture and Youth Grace Fu on Sunday.

Mr Murali gave out carnations to mothers in the crowd, wishing them a happy Mother's Day, before sitting down for lunch with his fellow MPs and activists.