Mr Pritam Singh is emerging as the top choice
to be the next leader of the Workers' Party, with three of its MPs
publicly ruling themselves out of the race and endorsing him.
They are Non-Constituency MPs Daniel Goh, Leon Perera
and Dennis Tan. Ms Sylvia Lim has also made it clear she is not
interested in the position, saying she intends to run for her
current role as party chairman.
Party insiders said Mr Singh, WP's assistant
secretary-general, is also the clear choice of current
secretary-general Low Thia Khiang. Mr Low, 61, announced last
November that he would be stepping down to make way for new
blood.
However, a question mark hangs over whether fellow
Aljunied GRC MP Chen Show Mao will challenge Mr Singh for the role.
When approached last night on whether he would stand for election
as party secretary-general, Mr Chen, 57, declined comment.
During the last round of the biennial central executive
committee elections, in 2016, Mr Chen mounted an unprecedented
challenge against Mr Low. He lost, with 45 votes to Mr Low's
61.
While Mr Singh, 41, a lawyer, is generally seen as the
front runner, Dr Goh and Mr Tan have also been thrown up as
possible candidates. Yesterday, they were unequivocal in stating
that Mr Singh is the best person for the job.
In a Facebook post, Dr Goh, 44, a sociologist,
described him as a "humble servant-leader who knows his own flaws,
works closely with the party grassroots and exhorts them to unite
for the common good of Singapore and Singaporeans".
Mr Tan, 47, told The Straits Times: "I fully agree with
Daniel that Pritam is more worthy to be the next
secretary-general.
"My view is that the secretary-general must be able to
lead us in Parliament since we are the only opposition party. To
me, experience in Parliament and being able to speak on issues is
very important."
Also throwing his support behind Mr Singh, Mr Perera,
46, said: "He is a tried and tested leader who has served
creditably in many roles in the party and town council, is
effective at the grassroots and has performed well in
Parliament."
When approached yesterday, Mr Singh simply said: "
Ultimately, the cadres have to decide who they want to lead them as
the next secretary-general."
The party elections will be held on April 8.
TNP