GE: WP welcomes "shift in PAP mindset" on opposition

Clivebenss SG

By Ken Teh | Posted: 03 April 2011 2018 hrs

SINGAPORE : Opposition MP Low Thia Khiang has welcomed comments by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam that a strong opposition is good for the People's Action Party (PAP) and Singapore.

He also noted another positive sign - the coverage of opposition parties by the Singapore media.

For the breakfast crowd at the market and food centres, it is obvious their ward is likely to be contested in the General Election when they see the opposition parties in the neighbourhood.

On Sunday, the Workers' Party team was at Chong Pang Market, which is part of the new Nee Soon GRC.

Two new faces were spotted - Yee Jenn Jong, a 46-year-old entrepreneur; and Angela Oon, a 32-year-old researcher.

However, there was no sign of the party's potential star candidate, Chen Show Mao, who has degrees from Oxford, Harvard and Stanford universities.

Party Secretary-General Low Thia Khiang noted that there has been increased coverage of the opposition so far, compared with elections in the past.

He said this is the right approach and hopes it will stay this way throughout the General Election.

But Mr Low stressed that the final assessment can only be made when the polls are over.

Mr Low, who is MP for Hougang, said: "We have made good progress in terms of the behaviour of the media. In terms of media reporting, we have better coverage...and I would expect we should be able to get across the message more effectively this time through the help of the media."

Mr Low also noted Mr Tharman's comments in a Channel NewsAsia forum for political parties on Saturday night - the first televised debate in two decades on hot button issues such as the cost of living and influx of foreign workers.

Mr Tharman had said: "I think a strong opposition is good for the PAP, and for Singapore as well...."

Mr Low said this is a good sign for Singapore. He said: "Someone like the Minister for Finance in the PAP has realised that a strong opposition is good for Singapore. I think that shows quite a shift in the PAP's mindset, that they now see that a strong opposition is positive and good for the future of Singapore. I welcome that."

Mr Low said his party is working to strengthen its leadership core to give Singaporeans a strong opposition.

He said: "We want to deepen the leadership role and the leadership core so that Singaporeans will have more confidence in the Workers' Party as a party. The Workers' Party is not just a one-man party, neither is it Low Thia Khiang's and Sylvia Lim's party. The Workers' Party is a party with a certain leadership depth which can offer to safeguard the future of Singapore."

Opposition parties are ramping up their outreach efforts across the island in the run-up to the election.

The National Solidarity Party made its rounds in the newly-carved Mountbatten SMC, while Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong and his wife Lina led the Singapore People's Party in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, which the opposition has never contested in.

The Reform Party continued to work the ground in the western part of the island, covering the markets and food centres in Chua Chu Kang and Hong Kah. Party leader Kenneth Jeyaretnam said his team was out in force and that the party has gained more members from its latest recruitment drive.

- CNA/ms

Leomanz SG

Dont 4 fool by pap sweet talks.

They only say 'such nice things' ONLY on tv or medias.

if translate 2 action ........ ever if d editor write anyting good abt opp ....... dats b his/her last day as editor

Clivebenss SG

Apr 4, 2011 - Straits Times

Foreign Minister George Yeo, speaking to reporters on Monday at a Madrasah event in Aljunied, said: 'This will give Singaporean voters a better choice.

'It is important to have a credible opposition so that should the PAP turn corrupt or become flaccid or subjective, there's an alternative that Singaporeans can go for.'

Asked if the People's Action Party would change its strategy, given a better crop of opposition candidates, Mr Yeo said he could not speak for the PAP as a whole, but for the Aljunied GRC, where he is the team leader, 'it means that we will have to work even harder.'

'It means that we can't take any voter for granted, whether it's a senior citizen, a first-time voter, a brilliant scholar or an odd job labourer,' he added.

But in the end, it's for the voters to decide whoever standing in his constituency is able to convince them that he can represent them better and help improve lives, he said.

Mr Yeo is the second minister to state that a strong opposition is good for PAP. Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam said this at a televised forum on Saturday night.

reyes SG

i agree with Mr Low of WP that this election indeed there is shift towards more political freedom. we should give ourselves, political blogger a pat on our back as those lashes we dish out towards the ruling party has some effect on their future policy.

but whether this freedom or extensive media coverage is prolong or shortlive is yet to be seen.

nevertheless, i applaud PAP for it , for this past 1mth of media freedom.

Millenium Falcon SG

They want a "strong opposition" as NCMPs in parliament.

Fcukpap SG

real political change could only come about in 10 - 20 years time...

the opposition must consolidate their strengths with more convincing candidates (this has improved a lot) to match the "intelligence" and "high service" mindsets of singaporeans....

they must continually sustain with the above in order to move on to the real political arena in 10 years time...

reyes SG

opposition must continue to work hard. win the election at your opponents rules. we applaud you.

likeyou SG

A SECOND minister has welcomed a better slate of candidates presented by the opposition so far.

Foreign Minister George Yeo, speaking to reporters on Monday at a Madrasah event in Aljunied, said: 'This will give Singaporean voters a better choice.

'It is important to have a credible opposition so that should the PAP turn corrupt or become flaccid or subjective, there's an alternative that Singaporeans can go for.'

Yes, pple fear corruption within PAP members too.

But not too much of the fear as many of us are busy working hard to earn salary to pay for the increasing costs.