By Alicia Wong – November 3rd, 2010
Two more opposition parties could be joining the Singapore
Democratic Alliance (SDA), according to a report in The Straits
Times (ST).
The paper quoted sources naming the two parties: Dr Chee Soon
Juan’s Singapore Democratic Party and the Socialist Front, led by
Mr Ng Teck Siong.
The future of the Reform Party (RP) in joining SDA, however,
remains unclear.
Discussions between SDA chairman Chiam See Tong and RP had been
on-going over the past year, but on Tuesday, leaders of the SDA
rejected Mr Chiam’s plans to have RP join the alliance, as
negotiations were conducted unofficially.
SDA secretary-general Desmond Lim said, “Whatever discussions Mr
Jeyaretnam has had with Mr Chiam were in their own personal
capacity.” RP is headed by Mr Kenneth Jayaretnam.
Mr Chiam was absent from the two-hour meeting, which was chaired
by SDA’s vice-chairman Ali Asjadi. He is also the leader of the
Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS).
A total of 11 of the 15 council members were present, including
leaders from the Singapore Justice Party and two others from Mr
Chiam’s Singapore People’s Party.
During the meeting, the leaders also supported Mr Lim, and
rejected Mr Chiam’s decision to replace Mr Lim as
secretary-general.
Mr Lim told reporters RP has not officially applied to join the
SDA, reported ST.
He added that future discussions to bring in new political
parties will have to be approved by the alliance’s supreme
executive council. Mr Lim will be the chief negotiator for these
talks.
New entrants will also be on a four-year probation, where they
cannot sit on the council or have voting rights. The two opposition
parties that may join SDA have accepted these conditions, he
said.
Mr Lim added, SDA’s plans to ramp up preparations for the
elections will continue. This includes having monthly discussions
with other political groups on national policy issues.
On Saturday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced that the
Electoral Boundaries Review Committee has been formed.