SDP proposes joint campaign with WP in Punggol East
by-election
By Saifulbahri Ismail | Posted:
11 January 2013 2019 hrs
SDP's Secretary-General Chee Soon Juan wants to field a candidate
from the SDP in the joint campaign.
At a news conference on Friday evening, Dr Chee said the proposal
was in the spirit of compromise and cooperation.
He explained that if the opposition wins the by-election,
the SDP gets to enter Parliament and The Workers'
Party will run the Punggol East Town
Council.
Dr Chee said that the SDP
Member of Parliament will chair the town council, but will leave
the day-to-day running of the town council to the
WP.
He hopes this arrangement will signal better cooperation between
opposition parties in the future.
Dr Chee said he was disappointed the WP hasn't replied to his
earlier invitation to discuss both parties' participation in the
by-election.
He said the SDP has emailed the proposal to WP, and is seeking a
meeting with WP on Saturday.
Dr Chee refused to commit if the party will continue to contest
should the WP not accept its proposal.
He said the SDP will only back down if the WP has a "stronger
case".
He added that talks will continue right until the last minute
before Nomination Day.
"A successful unity candidate would mean another seat in Parliament
for the opposition. It would lay the ground for bigger opposition
representation in the next general election," said Dr
Chee.
- CNA/xq/de
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1247379/1/.html
