Ex-WP member Gomez says no intention to turn new NGO
into political party
By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia |
Posted: 15 January 2010 0026 hrs
SINGAPORE: Former Workers' Party (WP) member Dr James
Gomez said he has no intention to turn the civil society group he's
trying to set up into a political party.
Earlier this month, Dr Gomez announced his resignation from the
Workers' Party to form the group called Singaporeans For
Democracy.
The objective of the NGO is to promote civil and political reforms
among Singaporeans here and abroad using new media tools.
At a dialogue to launch the group's website and FaceBook group, Dr
Gomez told reporters he did not rule out the possibility of him
contributing to an opposition party.
He said: “If I have a role to play and if I can contribute to a
political party, an opposition party in particular, I'm prepared to
stand up and put my hand up. But for the short term, I just want to
finish off this project and get it registered."
On the "Singaporeans For Democracy" NGO he is trying to set up, Dr
Gomez said the application to register it has not been approved by
the Registry Of Societies.
He said the application was made in April last year and his team
remains positive about the application.
Dr Gomez said: "The pro-tem committee is hopeful and positive. We
believe that's the approach to take. But we understand the
registrar would need time. So, we're quite patient, so our outlook
is positive."
Once registered, Dr Gomez said the NGO intends to organise
activities to further professionalise civil society groups in
Singapore. - CNA/vm
