Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) secretary-general Desmond Lim is set to do battle in a multi-cornered fight in Punggol East again.

The 44-year-old was unveiled as his party candidate in a press release issued at 1am on Tuesday morning.

In the statement, the alliance - made up of the Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS) and the Singapore Justice Party - said the decision to field Mr Lim in the upcoming by-election, "comes with a full on approach driven by dedication and determination".

SDA said it also considered fielding motivational speaker Harminder Pal Singh, who was part of the SDA team that contested Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC in the 2011 General Election.

Mr Lim contested Punggol East in the 2011 polls under the SDA banner. In that showdown with the People's Action Party's Michael Palmer and Worker's Party Lee Li Lian, the principal enginner in telco M1 managed to garner only 4.5 per cent of the vote and lost his $16,000 election deposit.

But the dismal showing has clearly not deterred SDA chief. This time around his slogan will be "Dedicated Local, Determined Leader", a play on Mr Lim's initials.

The alliance said the slogan "depicts his goal to keep going, and the continual believe that voters will see the gumption that Mr Lim brings to the table."

Mr Lim said this election "is not just about choices" but "about making an informed decision". He added that "carrying a party brand is not enough to make a candidate the best choice".

"Voting in a person who can stick on and do the job is what will matter in the long run."