Apr 8, 2011 - Straits Times
by Tessa Wong
IN the latest of a string of resignations from the Reform Party
(RP), election candidate Alec Tok on Friday announced that he has
quit the party.
The 46-year-old is one of two election candidates that the party
has announced so far, the other being secretary-general Kenneth
Jeyaretnam.
Speaking to the press at a hawker centre in Radin Mas - the ward
which he is supposed to contest - Mr Tok said he quit over a list
of 11 party protocols drawn up by Mr Jeyaretnam. He said he takes
particular issue with two clauses in the list, which was shown to
reporters on Friday.
One states that central executive committee (CEC) members are
subject to a three-month probation period, during which they can be
asked to leave without any notice or reason needed.
Another clause states that any CEC member who resigns will must
agree to a three-month 'gardening leave' period, which bars him or
her from speaking to the media.
Mr Tok said that such clauses went against the party ideals of
openness and transparency. He also objected to the fact that he was
not told about these conditions before he was asked to join the
CEC.
