By Satish Cheney | Posted:
18 April 2011 1928 hrs
SINGAPORE: Former Reform Party vice-chairman and
member of its Central Executive Committee (CEC), Mr Alec Tok said
he will definitely take part in the upcoming general
election.
He said he is still in talks with various parties but has not ruled
out standing as an independent candidate either.
In an email reply to Channel NewsAsia, Mr Tok said his preference
is to stand in the single ward of Radin Mas, where he was
previously active under the Reform Party banner.
The 46-year-old said: "My preference would be to stand in Radin
Mas, as I have been talking to residents there the most. I don't
think I will go to Pioneer.
"I understand the conventional wisdom about how three or
four-corner fights fritter away opposition votes but...I don't have
an answer to that. Well, I guess one possible answer is to join a
party and contest in Ang Mo Kio, Sembawang or even Tanjong
Pagar."
He added: "What I am clear about is that I am not contesting merely
to prove a point or to gain attention. I have made certain
recommendations to the residents of Radin Mas and my desire to be
of service to them remains. I want to get to know them more and for
them to get to know me more. Contesting there is the best way for
this to happen."
The New York-based theatre director had previously said he had
resigned from the Reform Party as he disagreed with certain clauses
in the party's protocol for CEC members which he had to sign after
he was co-opted in March.
He also remarked on his decision to enter politics.
"No one makes a decision to join Singapore politics frivolously.
Especially joining the opposition. You do it only if you believe
you want to do this over the long haul. I want to be of service to
fellow Singaporeans. It is as simple as that. I want to contribute
to them.
"Why not in arts, right? Well, I believe the political task to be
more urgent. I believe there are many things out of balance in
Singapore. (The) Income divide cannot be swept away that easily.
High property prices should not be dismissed in the name of reserve
accumulation. We have an obligation towards the most vulnerable
Singaporeans among us. They should not be left to the charitable
organisations or individuals."
-CNA