Hazel Poa resigns from NSP over decision to contest MacPherson

Hazel Poa has resigned from the National Solidarity Party (NSP) over the party’s decision to contest MacPherson SMC, thus setting up a three-cornered fight in the ward.

In an email on Wednesday (Aug 19), Poa, who was Acting Secretary-General, noted the decision by NSP’s Central Executive Council to support treasurer Steve Chia’s request to compete in the newly created ward. The People’s Action Party is fielding Tin Pei Ling as a candidate for MacPherson, which has been carved out of Marine Parade GRC. The Workers’ Party has said it will contest the ward.

Poa said that she strongly disagrees with NSP’s decision. “As the direction that the party has decided to pursue deviates greatly from my own, I see no choice other than to resign from the NSP,” she said.

She also apologised to everyone whom she has disappointed and said “the coming months will be a time for reflection”. She also thanked members of NSP and other political parties, the public and the media.

Unlike other political parties, Poa said the NSP will not be leaderless as the top party member is the President, not the Secretary-General.

Despite the disagreement with NSP, Poa wished the party all the best for the coming election.

NSP said earlier Wednesday that it would contest the SMC because it “decided to strike a balance between avoiding unnecessary conflict and keeping faith with our supporters”. It added that “considerable outreach has been done prior to the 2011 General Elections”.

The party said it had initiated contact with the WP to resolve the issue regarding contesting Marine Parade GRC and MacPherson SMC, but there had been no response from WP. It also pointed out that WP did not attend the second round of multi-party opposition talks.