Amidst the election buzz, an interesting development is brewing
at the oppositions camp. It is reported that veteran politician,
JB Jeyaratnam (JBJ), is attempting a last minute bid to get himself
out of bankruptcy in order to be eligible to contest in the coming
general election. He has made an application to the court to pay
off all his debts of about S$600,000, thus wiping his slate clean.
These debts arose mainly from defamation suits in 1996 and 1997. A
court hearing is set for next Tuesday, Mar 14th. If he succeeds,
the oppositions will have to review their election strategy,
particularly the Workers Party.
If JBJ succeed in discharging his judicial liability, he will have
three options in his political paths. Firstly, he can run as an
independent candidate either in a SMC or GRC, or form a totally new
party to do so. Secondly, he can join other political parties like
SDA or SDP. Thirdly, he can seek a return to the Workers Party.
Whichever path he takes, he will bring an air of charismatic flair
and excitement to this political competition. But what are the
ramifications of his inclusion on the other political players? Lets
start with the ruling party, PAP.
Whichever political route he takes, he will always be a pesky thorn
to the PAP. He is a handful, especially to the younger and lesser
experience politicians in the ruling party. Only LKY and a handful
of 2nd Generation PAP leaders can take him on in electioneering. As
the party is now mainly made up of newer members, it is a threat
that cannot be taken lightly. As a maverick with a firebrand
character, we can expect to see JBJ constantly pushing the
envelope and challenging the boundaries of the OB markers. It has
gotten him into serious troubles in the past, and I wish that he
doesnt get carried away and get himself into a spot again in this
election. Despite his age, he is still a very difficult opponent,
and I am sure that PAP should take his entry into this election
seriously.
In the opposition camp, they will have to go back to the drawing
board to review the division of territories among the different
players to avoid a three-corner fight among themselves. It is
reported that in view of this latest development, another of such
meeting will be taking place very soon. This is especially
important if JBJ decides to go independent to contest in a SMC or a
GRC. No opposition party would want to collide with JBJ,
considering the clout that he still possesses. Instead of going
independent, JBJ could also join SDA or SDP. However as a maverick,
it will be difficult for JBJ to share power with the current
parties leaders like Chiam and Chee. The strong personality of
each individual will make cooperation and accommodation an
unresolvable issue. In my opinion, it will be better for him to set
up a new outfit than to join these two parties. However in
politics, strange things do happen, so I shall not rule out this
possibility.
The third option for JBJ is to seek to return back to the Workers
Party. I believe that he is still passionate about the party he
once led until he was unceremoniously ousted by the current party
head, Low Thia Khiang. I shall not dwell on the details of this
event, and would direct those wish to know more to this url link:
http://www.sfdonline.org/Link%20Pages/Link%20Folders/02Ds/061102.html
In this option, the real issue lies with whether the current
leadership in the Workers Party will want to accept JBJ back into
its rank and allow him to contest under the partys banner. They
will not for three main reasons. Firstly, Lows leadership in the
party will come under threat from JBJ. In his analysis, Seah Chiang
Nee in his website describe Low as having a lesser flamboyant style
than JBJ. In his opinion, Low is a collective leader, non-combative
but very strong in organizational capability. By comparison, JBJ is
individualistic, opinionated and a strong debater. Therefore, Low
always will be overshadowed by JBJ in this aspect. Furthermore in
my observation, Low is easily cowed when challenged, while JBJ will
respond head on. The recent episode where Low remained meek and
passive while the Prime Minister lambasted his partys manifesto
reveals a lack of conviction and leadership quality. Low will face
a meltdown in his leadership position should JBJ be allowed back
into the Workers Party. Therefore he will definitely veto any
decision to do so.
Secondly, the party, which has been courting acceptance from the
government, would not want JBJ to jeopardize this cordial
relationship. With JBJ, the ruling party knows the threat and is
prepared to use whatever means to destroy his political career. In
contrast, Low is considered as acceptable by the ruling party. As
such, he is allowed to hold on to his Hougang seat with the ruling
party providing just token challenges in this SMC. Even in the
latest ERC report, an exception was made to Hougang to remain as a
SMC, despite population changes that would necessitate it to be
absorbed into a GRC. The Workers Party reciprocated by
transforming itself from a full-fledged opposition party to one
that provide selective opposition to the ruling party. It went one
step further by renaming itself as an alternative party. Whether
it is really an opposition or an alternative party is debatable.
However it will not want to turn back the clock and bring itself to
a confrontational mode with PAP, especially when Low is
non-confrontational by nature. In contrast, JBJ is fiercely
confrontational. Any shift against this approach will jeopardize
Lows seat in Hougang, so it is to Lows interest to maintain the
status quo.
Thirdly, there is the threat of internal strife within the party as
Lows political approach and values is very different from JBJ. He
has managed to shape the partys culture and values to reflect his
very own through the years, and will not allow it to be re-shaped
by JBJ. He has managed to bring in new members who share his
political values and approach. If JBJ is allowed back to the party,
his followers will also flock in with him. That will be potentially
destabilizing for the party. And, it will be difficult for the
party to attract new members, which has been a perennial problem
for all opposition parties.
To conclude, despite all the pleasantries being exchanged and
expressed, the Workers Party leadership is secretly against having
anything to do with JBJ. All its members are now chorusing for JBJ
to run as an independent candidate in one of the SMC. They are
either silent, or would avoid answering questions about JBJ and the
Workers Party. As such, there are only two realistic options for
JBJ now. Either form a new party, or run as an independent.
