PAP should stop ‘belittling’ opposition: Chiam
Veteran opposition Member of Parliament Chiam See Tong has called on Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) to stop "belittling" the opposition.
Speaking at his Meet-the-People Session (MPS) at Potong Pasir on Thursday, the 76-year-old said, "Ever since the PAP got into power, they have always been belittling the opposition."
Chiam who is the secretary-general of the Singapore's People Party (SPP) was referring to recent statements made by PM Lee Hsien Loong that a two-party system is "not workable" because there is simply not enough talent to have two top "A-teams" govern Singapore.
"They always think that the PAP has the monopoly of talent, but I think it's incorrect. In case something happens to the so-called PAP 'A-team', what will Singapore be left with? And sometimes it is too late to assemble another 'A-team'," he added.
Turning to the General Election, which is expected to be held soon, Chiam shot down suggestions that his party, the Singapore People's Party, tie up with the National Solidarity Party (NSP).
Chiam, who will be contesting the Bishan-Toa Payoh group representation constituency (GRC) said, "We have our own team."
The MP also said the SPP is set to unveil a "big surprise" this coming Sunday, when it is expected to reveal its line-up of candidates that will challenge the PAP team led by Ministers Wong Kang Seng and Ng Eng Hen.
Yahoo! Singapore understands that the "big surprise" refers to the introduction of two potential candidates who are currently based overseas. A party source said that the two men had been courted by the PAP before but turned the ruling party down.
Other potential candidates who may be fielded include 38-year-old Juliana Juwahir, a member of the party's woman wing committee, as well as SPP's first assistant secretary-general, Wilfred Leung.
'Positive feedback on Lina'
While Chiam will be running in Bishan-Toa Payoh, his wife, Lina Chiam, 62, will be going up against PAP's likely candidate Seetoh Yi-Pin in Potong Pasir.
While the latter has lost in the last two elections, the margin won by MP Chiam hovered around the "just pass" mark of 55 percent, perhaps a sign of his diminishing influence.
When asked whether the statistics bothered him, Chiam simply said, "To me a win is a win. The main thing in an election is a win, whether it's by 2 per cent or 3 percent or whatever. As long as you win, it's good enough. I am not worried about the percentages."
On the other hand, the opposition stalwart said that he is encouraged by the positive feedback given by the residents about his wife standing in as a candidate.
"The feedback has been very good and I am very encouraged by the feedback. The feedback has been very consistent, up till today. Everywhere we go we are welcomed with open arms," said Chiam, who has been the MP of the single-member ward since 1984.
His wife, who was also at the MPS session, told Yahoo! Singapore, "I wouldn't want to rate my chances. I'm just trying my very best to campaign for this election. This is up to the people of Potong Pasir, it's up to them who they want to vote (for) and I respect their wishes."
"Having said that, I will try my very best to win their hearts and minds, that they should vote for me because I will be able to carry on the work of my husband," she said.
When asked on her thoughts of going up against Seetoh, Lina said that each of them have a different brand of politics but said that they shared a cordial relationship.
"Mr Seetoh and I are sociably very good friends, we have no quarrels, I wish him the best. Each one of us have our own brand of politicking and well we will congratulate each other whoever wins".
