TODAY: WP chairman Lim is playing by the book

TEO HWEE NAK
DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
hweenak@newstoday.com.sg


WEE TECK HIAN
PREPARING FOR THE ELECTION: WP's Sylvia Lim

THE irony of her party's manifesto becoming such a compelling subject of debate does not escape Ms Sylvia Lim.

Soon after Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen labelled suggestions in the Workers' Party manifesto as "time bombs", the phone started ringing and she started to receive emails by the dozen.

The manifesto had been launched more than a week earlier, but media coverage of it ended in a day. The criticism by Dr Ng, who is also the People's Action Party's (PAP) organising secretary for special duties, changed everything.

"There is now intense interest in this booklet," said Workers' Party chairman Lim in an hour-long interview at her Bukit Batok apartment. "I think it's very healthy that people want to read it and decide for themselves whether the picture the PAP is trying to paint is true or not," she said.

Despite having her grip on ground realities questioned by the minister, and despite her party's stand having been dubbed "poison", the 40-year-old Temasek Polytechnic lecturer is neither defensive nor angry.

Instead, talking to Today, she leaned forward and said in her low voice: "I feel it's rather strange that the ruling party is trying to tell us how to write our manifesto. If you don't agree with us on the issues, then you come out with your own manifesto! Being the Opposition, we don't expect them to agree with us, and neither should they presume that we should share their views.

"I guess they are trying to vilify us and set the election agenda. Let that be. We will just take it as background and we will still set our own election agenda."

She said her party has been working on the 52-page manifesto since 2002, when it started public consultation and formed a six-member manifesto committee, led by WP secretary-general and MP for Hougang Low Thia Khiang.

After a first draft was produced last year, the party embarked on a second round of consultation. Then, over October and November, every sentence was scrutinised in meetings that Ms Lim revealed sometimes ended at 1am.

This is how serious the party is about its manifesto, she stressed. "The PAP does not have a monopoly on ideas and they should not think that knowing the ground is the territory only of the ruling party," she said.

"We have our own views on how things should be run or done. While certain things may coincide with the ruling party's point of view, some may not. We let people decide what makes sense."

She said the manifesto would be put up online over the next few days. As she prepares for the electoral battle that will follow, the woman, accused of being a political newbie, felt she has garnered a lot of experience in the past four years, meeting people - to whom she hands out namecards with her picture and mobile number printed on them - on weeknights and Sunday mornings.

And no, she doesn't think Singaporeans are apathetic. Ms Lim chuckled as she recalled a woman in her 60s she met during one of her walkabouts.

This ah sim (old lady) had political advice to dish out to WP.

"Don't make wild allegations during the elections. Don't talk about loans to Indonesia - you have no proof! Just look at the plight of the people and whether the Government is doing its job," the old woman told them.

Having seen how politics can turn personal, are there any skeletons in her closet that Ms Lim wants to declare now?

The former lawyer laughed.

"I don't know what people consider skeletons. I've been in civil service for most of my life - I was in the police force, and now I'm teaching in a polytechnic - so if they find that I'm unfit, what does it say?

"I'm not too concerned," she said.

Finally, to rumours that she will be contesting in Aljunied GRC in the elections, she would only say: "I've been seen there, I've been doing some work there. Possibly ... but things may change."

Straits Times: WP leader tackles 'time bomb' criticisms

INSIGHT FRIDAY
PEOPLE & POLITICS

In the war of words this week between the People's Action Party and the Workers' Party, Ms Sylvia Lim has been accused of just "fronting" the WP. She tells Aaron Low and Lydia Lim where she stands


PHOTOS: ALBERT SIM
NOT "FRONTING" FOR ANYBODY: Ms Lim points out that she and Mr Low are on the same wavelength politically, even though their backgrounds may differ.

WHEN the General Election is called, one of the first things Workers' Party (WP) chairman Sylvia Lim will do is quit her law lecturer job at Temasek Polytechnic.

The reason? Government employees cannot hold political office.

"I knew that and I was prepared," says the 40-year-old chairman of the Workers' Party.

If she does get elected, the single woman intends to be a full-time MP.

But yes, that is racing ahead of the game. Right now she is focused on making sure she can stand her ground - fending off charges the People's Action Party has levelled at her and winning over constituents she meets during her weekly house-to-house visits.

Ms Lim is caught in a maelstrom that began unexpectedly last Saturday. Dr Ng Eng Hen, PAP organising secretary (special duties), lambasted the WP for its manifesto that had four proposals - to scrap grassroots organisations, ethnic integration policies and the elected presidency, and to raise subsidies - he deemed as "dangerous and wrong".

He urged the WP to reconsider these "time bombs" that could tear apart Singapore's multiracial society.

The WP refused to yield. Ms Lim signed a two-page statement a day later saying essentially, thanks, but no thanks.

On Monday, Dr Ng fired back, again urging the WP to rethink its position. When The Straits Times met WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang and Ms Lim that night, she was subdued, letting him take charge.

But Dr Ng had singled her out, asking Ms Lim if hers was a "carefully thought out and sincerely held position". Or was she "just regurgitating ill-conceived positions and fronting for the party"?

If she is rattled, Ms Lim is not about to show it. She is clear about this: No light can come between her and the party's stand.

So, on the WP's calls to do away with both the ethnic quota for housing and group representation constituencies (GRCs), she says she believes Singapore society has matured and does not need such policies.

The different races have "integrated naturally", she says, by going to the same schools and doing national service, for example.

The party wants the ethnic quota for housing scrapped because it makes it difficult for some Singaporeans to sell their HDB flats. It is unfair, plain and simple, she says.

The PAP has maintained that the policy, even if painful to some, is crucial to ensure there is racial mixing in housing estates.

As for GRCs, she says they skew elections in favour of larger political parties, increase the likelihood of walkovers by the PAP and frustrate the desire of citizens to exercise their vote.

What about the PAP's argument that GRCs help ensure minorities are represented in Parliament?

"If there is a need to ensure minority representation, there are other ways. If the Government says only GRCs can assure it, you know that's wrong," she says.

On the WP's proposal to abolish the office of the Elected President (EP), Ms Lim sees it this way: "It's clear the EP is meant to jam up a non-PAP government in its first term. If people want a change and elect a new government, then why should it be subject to all these?"

Dr Ng also accused the WP of calling for higher subsidies for a whole range of public goods and services without explaining how it planned to pay for this "expensive shopping trip".

The WP has proposed subsidies in a number of areas. They include a proposal for the Government to co-pay the premiums for a basic hospitalisation insurance scheme.

But Ms Lim denies the WP will binge-spend.

"We respect the fact that we should be fiscally prudent," she says.

She says what the WP objects to is the PAP Government's position of only helping the needy when there are Budget surpluses.

"If you are saying you will only help the less fortunate in good times, then I think it's not the correct principle."

On scrapping of grassroots organisations, Ms Lim says she is an advocate of non-political groups: "We encourage the community to vote for their own leaders and have their MP just as an adviser."

Throughout the interview, Ms Lim takes pains to point out that she and Mr Low are on the same wavelength politically, even though their backgrounds may differ.

She is English-educated, a one-time police officer and trained as a lawyer. He is Chinese-educated, a one-time teacher and now a businessman.

She is taking Mandarin lessons, but adds: "If you look at the WP Central Executive Council now, many more people are English-educated. In a way, we are reflecting changes in the population."

"And Mr Low is also quite interesting... He now sounds quite English-educated because of some of the jokes he cracks. So I think there is some kind of mutual influence."

So, she says, she does not understand what Dr Ng means about her just "fronting" the party.

Even if she and Mr Low are different, she knows well the value of party discipline.

Hence she gives away little. She is non-committal when asked if the WP will fight the election on these four "time-bomb" issues, as Dr Ng has challenged it to.

"We have other things in the manifesto which we think are important, and when the election is called, we will make them known," she says.

These and other issues are more "time critical" and the party could lose the advantage if it reveals them too early.

For now, she is just trying to get a lead on the ground. She spends weekends and sometimes weekday nights on house-to-house visits in Aljunied GRC, she says to accusations by Dr Ng that she is out of touch with the ground.

Throughout the interview at her Toh Tuck condominium, Ms Lim is cool and collected. She parlays political quips readily, like when she finds out that two press people are Catholic. She is one too, and referring to the arrests in 1987 of a group of Catholics, she says: "Oh, two more and we'll have a Marxist conspiracy."

It is no surprise she can recall such events easily. After all, growing up, current affairs took up dinner conversations in her family of two younger siblings, mother and lawyer father.

Still, she admits she was taken aback by the PAP this week.

"I mean, to have a few different ministers coming out... it was quite interesting to see that."

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Sylvia Lim on ties with Low Thia Khiang, Workers' Party plans for upcoming election

>> Dr Ng Eng Hen accused you of being a front for the rest of the party. What do you have to say to that?

What I can tell you is that because I was involved in the drafting and discussion for this manifesto from day one, I'm comfortable with what we have done and I will defend it. I stand by it, definitely. This is part of collective responsibility, isn't it? And I've been elected as chairman of the party so that's the party position.

>> Of the four "time bombs", one of the most controversial is race relations. If race relations are as healthy as you say they are, why don't you ask for other policies besides the ethnic quota on housing to be abolished?

You mean like the Internal Security Act and all?

>> Yes.

But that's very different from allowing people to live where they want to live. It's quite a different thing.

>> But there are a whole range of policies that exist to ensure racial harmony.

You may be right but I don't know which laws specifically you are referring to. Now just allowing people to choose where they want to live is definitely on a different scale and we have seen people suffer under the policy. If they want to move, if they can't find someone of the same race, they are stuck there. And then whatever price they get offered by an eligible buyer, they should think about it seriously. So the question is about fairness.

>> With the focus now on the four "time bombs", do you think you've lost the initiative to set the agenda?

It's quite funny because we've had a lot of calls and e-mails. Some people called up to say, keep your cool, don't get dragged in, that sort of stuff. But of course there are also people who come in to voice their views on the four issues. Right now we have put the manifesto online so people can read for themselves what we have said and take things in the proper context.

As for losing initiative, someone told me Singaporeans will be able to see whether they are "time bombs" or not. So let's leave it at that.

>> Dr Ng also kept asking you and other members to speak out if you felt uncomfortable with the proposals. Does he know something about the unity of your party that we don't?

I don't know where he got that from, so you have to ask him. It's quite interesting for us to hear that too.

>> So what is your relationship like with Mr Low Thia Khiang?

We get along very well, I would say. It's quite interesting because in some ways, people think our backgrounds are very different, which is true. But I think we have quite a good mutual understanding.

>> What are some of the things you have in common?

Fundamentally, we have the same view of the role of the Workers' Party and we believe in being careful in the things we do and say in public. We believe in being constructive and we don't believe in reflexive reactions, in that sense. Also, we know what we are doing in the WP is for Singapore and it may not happen, you never have successes overnight. So we are prepared to take the long view and do things carefully.

>> Have you ever disagreed with him?

We have different views on certain things but of course, after we have had a discussion and a decision is made, then if we present it to the public, we will defend it.

>> That sounds a lot like what the PAP does. Disagree in private, but stay united in public.

I think that's the way we should all work.

>> So how are you preparing for the general election?

On the general level, I think it has already been quite well reported that we have been working, we have not been sleeping, doing a fair amount of groundwork, whether it is through selling our party papers or doing home visits and all that.

>> How many blocks have you visited?

A lot, lah. I don't want to disclose those things. But I've been doing it for quite a while already.

>> The last time Mr Low was asked where the WP will contest, he said four GRCs.

He said we are eyeing those four areas, but whether we actually contest in them is not confirmed.

>> Where will you contest? Aljunied GRC?

Possibly, yes of course. (laughs) It is likely I will be in a GRC, because currently there are only nine single member constituencies and there are quite a few other parties in Singapore. Also there is an understanding that certain parties have closer ties with different areas and we tend to defer to that.

So right now, we are looking at three of the single seats, Hougang, Nee Soon East and Joo Chiat. Because of this, the rest of us have to contest in GRCs.

But it is quite exciting. It raises the stakes in a contest for a GRC.

It is quite nice to know that because in a GRC, the population can range between 90,000 and 180,000. All these people get to vote. So it is quite meaningful.

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About the WP manifesto...


COMMUNITY BUILDING: Ms Lim with (from left) friend and supporter John Law, and WP members Joseph Teo and Ismail Salleh during a walkabout in Aljunied GRC on Wednesday night.

THE first line of the Workers' Party's 2006 manifesto states:

"As a political party, the long-term goal of the Workers' Party (WP) is to be an alternative government."

As befits an opposition party which has set its sights on being an alternative to the People's Action Party (PAP), the WP's 52-page, 14-chapter manifesto is entitled You Have A Choice.

It is a document that includes proposals on many aspects of government policy. These range from government and civil liberties to law and order, labour policies, economics, education, public housing, health care, transport and society.

Launched by the WP on Jan 14, the manifesto has attracted criticism on two fronts.

First, that it contains four "time bombs" that threaten Singapore society.

Second, that it contains other ideas the WP "copied" from the PAP.

Party chairman Sylvia Lim brushes off the second charge.

"We do our own research and we write what we believe in. Whether the PAP happens to believe in the same things or not, that's coincidental to us," she says.

She points out that her party started work on its manifesto way back in 2002. It held forums to consult the public on issues such as the "new poor", public housing and transport.

Its six-member manifesto committee then split up the work of drafting the 14 chapters, with each person taking charge of a few chapters. The team comprised WP secretary-general Low Thia Khiang, Ms Lim, executive council members Poh Lee Guan, James Gomez, Tan Wui-Hua and one other person who preferred not to be named.

Ms Lim refused to identify the chapters each of them was responsible for.

Last year, they met over two months for intensive discussions that often stretched past midnight, "to ensure we were comfortable with all the paragraphs in there", she says.

At the same time, she admits the party chose to unveil the manifesto as soon as it was ready because some of its proposals were already implemented by the Government.

"If we wait, more and more of the things we are proposing are going to be implemented. We don't want to be in that position," she says.

What does the manifesto contain that is new or different from what the PAP Government is already doing?

For starters, it calls for increased spending and other changes to improve the lot of groups the WP regards as needy and vulnerable. This includes workers, the low-income, elderly and disabled.

The introduction to the manifesto sets out in broad terms why the party thinks many policies need to be adjusted.

"Those with economic power tend to congregate with those with political power, resulting in a power elite network. The consequence of such a structure is imbalance in policy formulation," it says.

Many of its proposals flow from this starting point.

The chapter on health, for instance, quotes the refrain of many heartlanders that they "can die but cannot afford to be sick".

It calls for the Government to raise spending on health care and proposes it co-pay the premiums of a basic hospitalisation insurance scheme for all.

On education, the WP wants more funding and support for neighbourhood schools.

The chapter on labour policy says the WP believes unions should be independent and empowered to protect the rights of workers. It also wants to amend the Employment Act to ensure more protection for workers in areas such as retrenchment benefits and overtime pay.

Several ideas will entail much higher spending by the Government, none more so than the proposals in the chapter on public housing.

The WP wants cash grants for all first-time flat buyers equivalent to 10 per cent of the average selling price of a four-room resale flat. Second-time buyers should get a subsidy equivalent to 5 per cent, it says.

It does not make clear whether these grants should be in addition to or in place of current grants the Housing Board gives to first-time buyers who purchase from the open market.

The WP also wants a second cash grant to help Singaporeans plan for their retirement needs, so they do not have to downgrade to smaller flats for cash.

The rationale for all this extra spending? The manifesto recounts how many people rushed to buy bigger flats at the height of the property boom because they "believed in the PAP's propaganda of enhancing of their assets". They were hit hard when property prices crashed.

It also notes the way the Government is "limiting" its role in public housing and says "more resources could be focused on achieving home ownership".

This chapter is also where the proposal to scrap the ethnic quota on housing appears.

The manifesto says the policy is no longer needed because "society has now attained a level of multiracial integration" and Singaporeans should have "equal freedom of choice of home locations".

Another important plank in the manifesto is political participation and competition.

That is why the WP wants GRCs and the office of Elected President abolished.

The presidency should revert to a ceremonial post, it says, because "the power of Parliament as the people's representative should be unfettered".

As for GRCs, they "dilute the individual voters' voice".

"Instead, elections should be run on single seats," the WP says.

What the manifesto does not explain is how the party will ensure minorities are represented in Parliament, once the GRCs are dismantled.

It throws up an alternative system of proportional representation that New Zealand uses to "handle Maori seats", without giving a clear sense of how this can be applied to Singapore.

The call to scrap GRCs also appears in another chapter entitled Society, which focuses to a large extent on community building.

It also calls for doing away with GRCs so as to "revert to constituencies based on geographical areas".

The chapter also contains the proposal to abolish grassroots network of residents' committees (RCs) and citizens' consultative committees (CCCs).

These groups serve as "eyes and ears of the Government" and "cripple the growth of natural community leadership".

It suggests they be replaced by a revamped system of community centre management committees, whose members are elected by the community through local polls.

Straits Times - Forum: No slur on community leaders, says WP

I REFER to the letter, 'Grassroots leader takes issue with Workers' Party' (ST, Jan 24), from Mr Paul Wee, chairman of the Cantonment Towers Residents' Committee.

I wish to clarify that WP has no intention to belittle the contribution and serving spirit of community leaders. I have come across community leaders who serve selflessly.

We proposed abolishing the current structure of grassroots organisations (GROs) exactly because we feel that injustice has been done to the dedicated community leaders Mr Wee mentioned, especially those with no political affiliation or ambition but just a simple desire to do their small part for the community.

WP believes that community service should not be politicised and there is a need to develop a more comprehensive community network to root the people in order to build a more cohesive society.

Voluntary community-based organisations should be allowed to grow. The Government should facilitate and support this bottom-up initiative instead of having the People's Association operate a network of GROs top-down.

Members of residents' committees and citizens' consultative committees are appointed by 'government' Members of Parliament (MPs). Why should respectable community leaders be appointed by MPs, whether government or not? At best, the MP should only be adviser to the community organisations.

Moreover, many MPs do not live in the constituencies to which they are elected. This is why in the WP manifesto we proposed that members of community-club management committees be elected in a local election and the elected MP serve as adviser.

It was also pointed out in the letter that many grassroots leaders have been 'covertly ostracised' for being too vocal in their criticism. Why should this be the case? Is this situation helpful for both the people and the Government? Therein lies a question as to whether the current GROs are structured to serve as a political mechanism to manage public opinion on the ground and to allow the People's Action Party to gain an unfair advantage in getting political support by using the big word 'community'.

For Singapore to thrive as a country and for us to build a vibrant society, it is time that the spirit of serving and sacrifice be liberated from political control.

Low Thia Khiang
Secretary-General
Workers' Party

Channel NewsAsia: Workers' Party stands by manifesto

By Farah Abdul Rahim

SINGAPORE : The Workers' Party is still standing by its manifesto, even after the People's Action Party fired salvos at it over the past few days, saying it will tear Singapore's society apart.

Meanwhile, political watchers say the ongoing debate between the parties has fuelled even more election speculation.

A week after the release of the Workers' Party's manifesto, the People's Action Party urged it to rethink its position on what the ruling party has called its "four time bombs."

These are proposals to do away with grassroots commmittees; dropping the ethnic quota policy for public housing and the Group Representative Constituency Scheme; doing away with the Elected Presidency; and a call for more subsidies for the poor, without indicating where the money for this was coming from.

And it is not just the party bigwigs but also PAP MPs who have voiced disappointment over these proposals.

Said Halimah Yacob, MP for Jurong GRC, "It is quite irresponsible the way that they have proposed certain things, like for instance, dismantling certain structures, the RCs -- criticising the RCs and certain other structures that we have put in place in order to promote a strong multi-racial society, ethnic integration.

"I don't think we should take these things lightly. And on this goal, I think I'm a bit disappointed that this is the way that they have approached some of these issues."

But the Workers' Party has defended the proposals in its manifesto, which it says is the result of two years of hard work.

Said Tan Wui-Hua, president of the Workers' Party Youth Wing and member of the WP Manifesto Committee, "They have not put down in very defined terms why the four issues are a time bomb. They are just saying it's a time bomb and it will destroy the social fabric of the entire country.

"We genuinely feel these four issues are issues the people on the ground would like to see changed. Therefore, we speak for the people and we feel it's good for the nation. So the truth is, now if they say it's bad and we say it's good, we let the voters decide."

Political watchers say the way the debate between the two political parties has evolved has taken them by surprise.

But they also noted that the debate has stirred up interest among many Singaporeans in the Workers' Party manifesto.

Political Science Assistant Professor Suzaina Kadir says such debates are healthy.

She said, "The opposition in Singapore needs to think strategically, have a manifesto and provide an alternative framework, and has to be debated publicly. It could certainly be the case the manifesto cannot hold and is potentially problematic but when you have a debate like that in the open, then people have a sense of not just broad motherhood statements, but concrete policies, so people can decide on a far more mature level."

But one thing is clear -- the debate, has fuelled even more election talk.

Dr Suzaina explained, "It fuels further speculation among us that elections are coming; that's why you're getting the kind of reactions you're getting. I can't say it's a sure sign; it comes together with a lot of other signals political observers look at. I think what's curious about this whole incident is, it has come in a matter of days after several announcements that people have taken to imply elections are coming. When these events occur one after another, it reinforces people's beliefs that something is about to happen."

Meanwhile, other opposition groups like the Singapore Democratic Alliance have declined to comment on this debate. - CNA /ct

Straits Times: Workers' Party Policy Paper - Revise manifesto? WP chief says no again

He issues point-by-point rebuttal, calls on PAP to release manifesto

By Ken Kwek and Aaron Low

MR LOW Thia Khiang last night again rejected calls by the People's Action Party (PAP) to revise his Workers' Party (WP) manifesto and invited the ruling party instead to release its manifesto.

This time, however, the WP secretary-general also issued a point-by-point rebuttal of Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen's accusations that his party's manifesto contained four 'time bombs' that would destroy key pillars of Singapore's stability and success.

In an interview with The Straits Times at his party's headquarters in Syed Alwi Road, Mr Low went on to challenge the PAP to engage the WP on other points raised in its 52-page manifesto.

'There are many other issues that are deserving and should be looked at, besides these four points,' he said.

The four 'time bombs' the PAP accused the WP of planting in its manifesto were its calls to scrap grassroots organisations, ethnic integration policies and the elected presidency, and to raise subsidies.

In the interview, with party chairman Sylvia Lim by his side, Mr Low stood by these four proposals that Dr Ng had twice urged the WP to reconsider. But throughout, he studiously refrained from using the phrase 'time bombs'.

Mr Low explained why the WP thought the ethnic quota for housing was no longer necessary. Singapore has progressed from the situation of the 1960s when each race lived in its own enclave, he said.

People of different races have reached a better level of understanding with one another.

'It's a matter of confidence level. I think we have to go beyond... using policy as an instrument, to artificially make sure that there is contact between races,' he said.

'We should allow people to choose where they want to live. In the process of the policy, there were also cases of people being caught and not being able to sell their flats because of the racial quota. We have to look at whether it is necessary to have the policy in place to achieve the purpose,' he said.

It was also time to move beyond grassroots organisations such as the residents' committees and citizens' consultative committees. While these groups had played a useful role in the past, there should now be room for more 'spontaneous' activities and civil society was also developing.

'I believe that we should allow people to develop, and not to underestimate that without CCCs, we will not have activities,' said Mr Low.

The second reason to scrap them was that they 'serve a political purpose of the PAP', he said.

Mr Low said he believed that even without grassroots organisations, Singaporeans would still be able to get together and deal with crises that arose.

On the elected presidency, he said there was no need for such an institution in a parliamentary democracy where the legislature should be the check on the government.

'We are operating a parliamentary democracy system, inherited from the British, which functions very well in Britain. So what's wrong with that?' he said.

Mr Low added that there was generally 'not enough transparency' in the present Government. 'What is the best way to check against corruption? Put it on the website, better to have so many people checking, instead of one elected president right?'

As to Dr Ng's suggestion that 'maybe the WP wants to go on a spending spree itself', Mr Low denied that his party had ever suggested throwing the country's money away carelessly.

On the contrary, he outlined three major areas - namely employment, health care and housing - in which his party had proposed possible financial solutions.

In terms of employment, Mr Low said his party was proposing an unemployment insurance plan, to be introduced when a worker was still in employment. The premium could be covered by deducting 1 per cent of earned income, with the employer contributing another 1 per cent.

In terms of health care, the WP was proposing a basic hospitalisation insurance policy, with the Government co-paying 'to have universal coverage'.

'We are also not objecting to proper means testing, where we can actually target subsidies at the correct level,' Mr Low added.

In the area of housing subsidies, Mr Low said that he was not proposing to 'bankrupt the Government', but that because of globalisation, there would always be people with problems.

'As a government, it is important to commit themselves to helping these people so that they have some security.'

kenkwek@sph.com.sg
aaronl@sph.com.sg

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Dr Ng to WP chairman Sylvia Lim


SERIOUS MATTER: Dr Ng questioned chairman Sylvia Lim's understanding of political realities on the ground concerning racial harmony, among other things. -- CHEW SENG KIM

Before you signed statement as chairman of WP...

'Sylvia Lim signed the Workers' Party statement as the chairman of WP. But does she seriously or personally believe that the multiracial and multi-religious harmony that we have achieved today is strong enough to dismantle the policies that have worked?

Has she seen the actual situation on the ground, the problems in our society, in housing estates? Is she familiar with the intense public debate over the issues? Has she read up what issues were debated over the elected presidency?

And how the Constitution was then amended? Does she know the implication of just saying 'spend', and ignore the question of where the money will come from? As she signed the statement, is this a carefully thought out and sincerely held position, or is she just regurgitating ill- conceived positions and fronting for the party?'

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Study matter seriously, spend time on the ground.

'I must confess that before I became an MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, I too took many things for granted. So, it's understandable if you don't run a constituency and see the practical problems on the ground, you may not understand the full implications of removing these four cornerstones.

I advise Ms Lim to study the matter seriously with an open mind, discuss it with others, and spend time on the ground finding out how our society works. If after that she is still convinced that the manifesto is right, well, explain - we are prepared to listen.

Or, she may conclude that the WP line is misconceived, and hopefully persuade the WP to modify its line. Surely she should at least be prepared to consider the possibility that the WP has made a mistake.'

TODAY: The Workers' Party on those four 'time bombs'

LEE U-WEN
u-wen@newstoday.com.sg

THE opposition Workers' Party (WP) is standing firmly by its manifesto despite the strong criticism it has received from the Government, including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself.

In a one-page statement released to the media yesterday evening, WP chairman Sylvia Lim responded to each of the four "time bombs" highlighted by Manpower Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen on Saturday, which includes removing the quota for public housing and the elected presidency.

In its 52-page manifesto released on Jan 14, the WP had also proposed that Residents' Committees (RC) and Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCC) be abolished, but in response, Dr Ng said these grassroots organisations were necessary to bring racial and religious communities together.

Ms Lim, however, challenged his remarks: "To say that (RCs and CCCs) are the only ones who can play a role in the community and serve a useful role during crises such as Sars is to underestimate the community's ability to respond to such crises."

She added that the Government seemed to perceive Singaporeans as a "docile lot with no initiative" who need to depend on RCs and CCCs, "which is an insult to Singaporeans."

To which MP Charles Chong (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC) wondered: "Have they got a better alternative to put forward? I'm willing to listen to it if they do." Mr Chong said this particular proposal was an "irresponsible" one.

"Are they saying everybody should be left alone and just fend for themselves, survival of the fittest? To suggest we just dismantle existing organisations is not practical and reasonable. There will always be a need for citizens to go above and beyond just taking care of themselves," he told TODAY.

Most of those involved in RCs and CCCs are "unpaid volunteers that come forward to articulate the concerns of the people", so he urged the WP to "look at the bigger picture" instead.

Bedok CCC secretary Patrick Tay said the importance of the groups was to serve as a "bridge between the people and the Government," but stressed this was just one of their many roles in the community.

"We are here to provide an additional channel for residents to give feedback. That's how we can improve the neighbourhood. I see us as one big family working together," he said.

In the statement by the WP, Ms Lim said one reason why her party had strongly recommended that the ethnic quota for housing be scrapped was that it imposed "hardship on people wanting to buy and sell homes".

Having this quota helps ensure an even spread of races in public estates by restricting the proportion of flats that can be owned by different races in a single neighbourhood or block. Chinese residents, for instance, can comprise no more than 84 per cent of units in a neighbourhood and Malays, 22 per cent.

Mr Chong said having such a criteria was "a small price to pay" if Singapore were to avoid reverting back to the ethnic enclaves of yesteryear.

The WP also continued its push for more subsidies to be given to the elderly and unemployed for areas such as education and healthcare.

Dr Ng responded by acknowledging that it was the Government's duty to help the less fortunate, but only out of Budget surpluses.

Ms Lim shot back that the Government should help the lower-income group at all times and not only address their concerns when such surpluses arose.

Like Dr Ng and Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan before him, PM Lee urged the WP and its chief Low Thia Khiang to revise their manifesto, saying that their proposals destroyed the fundamental principles Singapore had built and thrived on.

Speaking at a community event yesterday, Mr Lee said: "Where do they stand? Either you rethink your position and publish a revised manifesto - version 1.2, there is still time - or if they want to stand by that, explain what they mean, justify, defend and we will join issues and fight the elections on these issues."

In a comment directed at Mr Low: "This is not just a matter of you talking casually at the coffee shop after drinks. It's a manifesto for the General Election and he is offering himself as an alternative, (so) it has to be scrutinised."

---

THE FOUR POINTS

• WP wants to abolish RCs and CCCs: Dr Ng says these groups help foster close community links and play crucial roles in times of crises.

Ms Lim says the Government seems to perceive Singaporeans as a "docile lot" that cannot take care of themselves.

• WP wants to remove ethnic quota for housing: Dr Ng says this quota fosters multi-racial public housing estates.

Ms Lim says a certain level of integration has already been achieved and the quota imposes hardship on home buyers and sellers.

• WP wants to abolish Elected Presidency: Dr Ng says the Elected President is to prevent having a corrupt Government and to protect reserves from being squandered. Ms Lim says the WP has maintained its position for this proposal since 1988.

• WP wants more subsidies for lower-income groups: Dr Ng says the Government will provide when there are Budget surpluses. Ms Lim says the needs of the less fortunate should be addressed at all times and not just when there are such surpluses.

TODAY: Workers' Party updates its manifesto

WITH whispers of elections around the corner, the Workers' Party (WP) launched its updated manifesto on Saturday.

The 52-page booklet outlines the party's stand on issues and policies, covering areas from economic and judicial policies to media and sports and recreation.

On civil liberties, the party takes the stand that the Group Representation Constituency be abolished and that electoral boundaries be announced at least one year before a General Election is called, and the rationale for changes be explained.

The party has also taken up the cause for a fairer judiciary system, pointing out, among other things, that the Court of Appeal should not have the power to enhance the sentence, that an arrested person should have early access to a lawyer, and that there should be equal access to case information for the defence and prosecution.

On housing policies, it calls for a fair allocation of public housing subsidies for all citizens, including singles, as well as a second but lower cash grant for second time buyers.

On policies related to the arts and media, the WP calls for political films to be allowed under the Films Act. The manifesto, last updated in 1994, took one year to work on, said WP chief Low Thia Khiang.

"This shows that the WP is serious about politics," said Mr Low.

It went through a more comprehensive consultation process than previous manifestos, culling feedback from members of the public as well as experts. With about 200 active members, in the coming election, the party has new candidates to pick from.

Asked how he feels about WP being the opposition party to watch, Mr Low said: "I don't know. Better don't watch too much. It's better to watch the PAP to see what they're doing." - TEO HWEE NAK

TODAY: Could Worker's Party throw hat into PM's ring?

TEO HWEE NAK
DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR
hweenak@newstoday.com.sg


OOI BOON KEONG


GRCs in red, Single Member Constituencies in blue

IT HASN'T happened since 1991. After all, it isn't exactly the wisest thing to do.

When it comes to fielding candidates in the General Elections, Singapore's Opposition parties have always steered clear of wards held by the Prime Minister - or any senior minister, for that matter - for obvious reasons.

The Workers' Party (WP), however, may shelve that prudence this time around.

WP chief Low Thia Khiang (picture) has identified Ang Mo Kio Group Representation Constituency (GRC) as one of the wards it is targeting to stand in for the coming election, which it will campaign on the theme, "You have a choice".

The GRC, now held by a six-member People's Action Party team helmed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, is one of four GRCs - out of a total of 14 on the electoral map - handpicked by WP as its targeted battlegrounds. The other three are Aljunied, Sembawang and East Coast.

The party is also gunning for the two Single Member Constituencies of Nee Soon East and Joo Chiat, on top of defending Mr Low's Hougang seat.

Sending a team to PM's ward may be a suicide mission - but that's not the point, Mr Low said.

"We're not saying that we'll win Ang Mo Kio, what," he quipped. "We're going there to participate so people have a choice. I think the people in Ang Mo Kio would like that."

While the Prime Minister's mandate historically comes from the national percentage, Mr Low thinks it is "important" that a mandate comes from his own constituency as well, since this is Mr Lee's first election as Prime Minister.

He told Today: "I think it will be a disservice to Singaporeans if he doesn't have a chance to show that he has the mandate. It's our view that Ang Mo Kio should be contested. But whether or not we are able to do it depends on our resources."

It also depends on how the electoral boundaries are redrawn, Mr Low added.

He declined to reveal his priorities for the constituencies his party has picked out, but said they were chosen after "feeling the ground".

The last time a Prime Minister's ward was contested was in 1991 - also Mr Goh Chok Tong's first election as Prime Minister. Mr Goh beat the team from the Singapore Justice Party with 77.25 per cent of the votes.

Mr Lee also has not faced a direct contest on homeground since 1988, when independent candidate Patrick Leong contested his Teck Ghee ward. Mr Lee took the seat with a landslide 79.13 per cent of the votes.

If WP really fields a team in Ang Mo Kio GRC - which apart from Ang Mo Kio town also covers Yio Chu Kang, Yishun, Serangoon, and some parts of Punggol and Sengkang - it will be the first time constituents in the GRC get to vote.

Calling this an interesting development in what is an "untested territory", political scientist Ho Khai Leong said that a contest in Ang Mo Kio would give the constituents a chance to endorse - or reject - the Prime Minister and his programmes directly.

But he said that the move could also backfire. "People won't want to vote the PM out. Mr Lee can then claim that mandate, even if total PAP votes go down," said Dr Ho.

He also noted that in past elections, the Prime Minister has visited other wards during the campaigning period to help rally support for other MPs.

Said Dr Ho: "If he's preoccupied in his own constituency, he may have less time to go elsewhere.

"But I think the Prime Minister will be able to juggle."

Mr Seng Han Thong, MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC, doesn't have a shred of doubt on that.

A contest in Ang Mo Kio GRC would not only be a local election - it will escalate into a national contest, he said.

"The Prime Minister, as national leader, will not only have to defend his own ward, but also go around advocating the PAP's agenda and manifesto. He will not confine himself to Ang Mo Kio," said Mr Seng, who added that he had seen Mr Low working the ground in the constituency.

The Prime Minister, in an email responding to TODAY's query, said that he welcomes this contest, and "looks forward to meeting the WP team in Ang Mo Kio GRC, hopefully led by Low Thia Khiang himself".

New Paper on Sunday: Unbelievable news?

Not if Worker's Party has its way

COMMENT
Clarence Chang
clarence@sph.com.sg



YOU wake up, open the morning paper and the front page headline says: Parliament, not the people, to vote for a new President.

Under it, a smaller headline: Latest electoral reform change to further empower the House, says new PM.

Wah, you think, just last month, this guy abolished GRCs, set up an independent election commission and threw out the Internal Security Act. His party is certainly true to its manifesto.

Just then, your wife hollers from the kitchen that she's almost out of bread, milk and sugar for breakfast.

No problem lah, you reply. Cheaper now - no more 5 per cent GST on basic necessities, as promised by the party.

Don't forget Ah Girl's check-up at the polyclinic tomorrow, says the wifey.

Cheaper too, you think. The Government's now putting more of taxpayers' money into healthcare.

Hmm, a thought just struck me: If we're collecting less money without GST, how are we paying the billion-dollar health bills?

Ah, never mind.

Just think of me, me and me. If warded, no problem. I've got more money in my Medisave account since the new CPF contribution rate is now 35 per cent, up from 33.

Papa's little darling then strolls in and says: "No problem, no problem. What if you lose your job, Pa? That happened to my friend's daddy, you know."

No probl... I mean, no worries, girl. Pa is now contributing to this new thing called unemployment insurance. If retrenched, I just take money from it.

"Not enough, how? Must sell flat?" Ah Girl is beginning to get a bit too precocious.

Of course not, girl. Now, Pa can buy a second flat from HDB at subsidised prices.

So we can downgrade without paying what we used to call a resale levy.

"No resale levy? So are people making money by buying and selling HDB flats, Pa?"

You don't worry about that, just prepare for your exams, okay?

Ah Girl retorts: "Pa, now no more streaming leh. And no more year-end exams."

Hmm, I'm not sure if she's preparing well for work life.

No time to think about that as I get on the MRT for work.

The logo on the doors of the train reads: National Transport Corporation.

Ah, yes. No more SBS Transit, SMRT, or even the Public Transport Council. Just the new NTC - a giant all-in-one mass provider. Cheaper fares and more routes.

But what if it goes bankrupt when it starts losing billions? Who cares, better enjoy it while it lasts... while it lasts... while it...

Then you get a jolt. "Wake up, Pa."

I fell asleep reading the papers. Now, what was I reading before I dozed off?

Ah, yes. It was about the Workers' Party's Manifesto 2006, which the party unveiled yesterday.

Timely because its secretary-general, Mr Low Thia Khiang, said "election is coming".

Denying that the document is a rehash of the party's 1994 manifesto under then-WP chief JB Jeyaretnam, he added: "We're not saying we have the best ideas."

The 52-page booklet covers 14 policy areas like civil liberties, education, national security, the economy, healthcare, the media and even sports.

"It shows the Workers' Party is serious about politics. We take the trouble to look at issues, and we're prepared to defend what we've put up today," said Mr Low.

Although the manifesto doesn't explain how the intended goodies are to be paid for, Mr Low did say: "At least we offer policy options."

While the 1994 manifesto was taglined "Power To The People", the 2006 motto is simply "You Have A Choice".

But Mr Low added that the party is "not aiming to be an alternative government" after the next GE.

"We recognise we don't have the ability to do that at this point in time... Let's face facts. We can't field as many candidates as we like."

Money, manpower and logistical resources are always problems, he explained, revealing that WP has only some 200 active members.

That's why opposition parties have often resorted to the so-called by-election effect - telling Singaporeans to vote for more opposition candidates because the PAP is already returned to power even before polls open.

TAKE ON THE PM

This time round, Mr Low stressed, that's not WP's strategy. If resources permit, he said it's even prepared to contest Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's stronghold of Ang Mo Kio GRC.

"I'm not saying we'll win Ang Mo Kio. Just go there and participate so people will have a choice. People in Ang Mo Ko will like that!" he said with a grin.

"If (Senior Minister) Goh Chok Tong is welcoming a contest, how can the PM not welcome a contest? You want a mandate from the people?"

What about opinions by some observers that the WP is "THE opposition party to watch" at the next GE?

Flanked by five other WP executive committee members, including party chairman Sylvia Lim and assistant secretaries-general Poh Lee Guan and James Gomez, Mr Low answered cheekily: "Don't watch too much. It's better to watch the PAP to see what they'll do. That's my advice."

Okay, I'll be watching for more media reports and doubt I'll nod off when election fever takes hold.

Sunday Times: Spat over deal to avoid 3-cornered fights

A TINY spat has broken out between two opposition parties, with one accusing the other of going back on an agreement to contest a ward together.

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) yesterday chided the Workers' Party (WP) for working the ground in East Coast GRC behind its back.

In a terse press statement, it said it would now go ahead and contest in East Coast GRC and MacPherson on its own, since "WP has failed to abide by the agreement".

It added: "As far as the DPP is concerned, the door of communication is now closed... We are now ready to face three-cornered fights."

But WP chief Low Thia Khiang explained that it was a "confusion". A Chinese-language newspaper had misinterpreted WP's visits in Bedok as signs that it would contest East Coast GRC, which the DPP took as breaking an earlier agreement.

Said Mr Low: "There are always these problems of communication. But if the DPP insists on contesting in East Coast, maybe the WP will not go there."

He stressed that his party wanted to avoid three-cornered fights and would remain "flexible" on deciding which wards it would contest. He added he would speak to DPP's leaders to resolve the misunderstanding.

DPP chairman Mansur Rahman told The Sunday Times he would hear Mr Low out, saying: "We will see what the WP has to say."

But he expressed unhappiness that the WP had not discussed the Bedok visit with DPP. East Coast GRC is held by a six-man People's Action Party team helmed by Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar.

T. Rajan

Sunday Times: Workers' Party unveils party manifesto

Opposition party's first policy paper since 1994, it is released now as elections are coming, says WP chief

T. Rajan


WORKERS' PARTY executive council members (from left) Mr James Gomez, Dr Poh Lee Guan, secretary-general Low Thia Khiang, chairman Sylvia Lim, Mr Mohammed Rahizan Yaacob and Mr Tan Wui-Hua took turns to read the new party manifesto to the media.
PHOTO: EDWIN KOO

THE Workers' Party (WP) yesterday unveiled its new party manifesto, which among other things, called on the Government to keep the basic cost of living down.

In a sign of the opposition moving into high gear for the next general election, the party presented its proposals on various national policies such as education, health and housing.

Party chief Low Thia Khiang said the WP had launched its manifesto to update its stand and proposals on policy issues. The MP for Hougang added: "We are releasing it now as it is time for a review of our position, and also because elections are coming."

The 52-page manifesto, titled You Have A Choice, is the first to come out of the party since 1994. It lists out a raft of proposals on almost every area of Singapore's policy infrastructure, from the civil service and judiciary to defence and the environment.

Asked to comment on the People's Action Party (PAP) Government's latest workfare package to help low-wage workers, Mr Low said the Government should have acted earlier.

But he added: "I do not want to belittle the workfare package by saying it is an election gimmick. It is a policy initiative to help the low-income and elderly group, and I welcome that."

Yesterday, Mr Low and five other executive council members presented the manifesto to the media at WP headquarters in Syed Alwi Road.

Party chairman Sylvia Lim, 40, focused on labour policies and legal matters. She floated proposals such as barring ministers from holding office in trade unions, and having a minimum wage. "These are fundamental things we believe in," she said.

Dr Poh Lee Guan called for transport, health care and housing costs to be kept low. The Government, he suggested, could set up a basic hospitalisation insurance scheme to supplement existing schemes like MediShield.

Mr James Gomez, Mr Tan Wui-Hua and Mr Mohammed Rahizan Yaacob spelt out the party's stand on areas such as education, arts, economic policy, environment, national security and sports.

For example, they pushed for the workload of teachers to be reduced, and the goods and services tax on basic necessities to be abolished.

Mr Low said the manifesto showed that the WP was serious about these issues, but stressed that he remained realistic. "We are not aiming to be the alternative government...but we do provide a choice, a credible option."

With one MP established in Parliament, the WP is seen by observers as one of the biggest contenders in the coming polls. Ministers and PAP MPs recently acknowledged that the opposition appears more prepared this time round.

PAP MP Ong Seh Hong (Aljunied GRC) said he welcomed "worthy opponents" in the polls. "If they take the elections seriously, then I think it's good for us, good for them and also good for Singaporeans."

Additional reporting by Peh Shing Huei

trajan@sph.com.sg

Channel NewsAsia: Workers' Party unveils manifesto, plans to contest 3 single wards & 4 GRCs

By Farah Abdul Rahim



The Workers' Party has unveiled its party manifesto and in the process also said it is going to contest in three single wards and four Group Representative Constituencies in the next General Election.

It is the first opposition party to release its manifesto ahead of the next General Election due by the middle of next year.

The party document details its policies from healthcare to labour, and contains proposals like unemployment insurance for those out of a job.

It also calls for the office of president to be reverted to its former ceremonial position and for one central agency to provide public transport for all.

The manifesto has not been updated since 1994.

Workers' Party Secretary-General, Low Thia Khiang, said: "Time for the renewal, that's the main reason and certainly the elections, that's another reason. We look at the issues seriously, explore policy options on many issues, state our positions and give our policy statements on certain government issues."

The Workers' Party said that in the next election, it is targeting the single wards of Hougang, Nee Soon East and Joo Chiat as well as 4 GRCs - Sembawang, East Coast, Ang Mo Kio and Aljunied.

Foreign Minister George Yeo, who is leading the PAP team in Aljunied, says he welcomes the challenge.

He said: "They wanted to compete in Aljunied the last time, although there were some problems with forms. I expect them to come back. They have been canvassing the ground sporadically. I think they will come back and I am not surprised."

The Workers' Party said it is aware the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) also has its eyes set on East Coast GRC.

Mr Low said he intends to talk to the DPP to prevent a three-cornered fight. - CNA/ir

Straits Times: Veteran MP wants to play the role of watchdog

INSIGHT FRIDAY
PEOPLE & POLITICS

The Workers' Party has been touted as the opposition party to watch at the next general election. Its leader, Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang, outlines to Li Xueying his long-term vision for the party


WORKING FOR SUPPORT: Opposition MP Low Thia Khiang selling copies of the Workers' Party newsletter, The Hammer, at a hawker centre in Bedok. While a few residents edge away from his group or wave them off, many others are politely receptive - a situation "already much improved" from the past, says Mr Low.

HIS tanned face creased in an affable smile and his light-blue shirt damp with perspiration, Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang is hard at work connecting with hawkers, yuppies and other residents in Bedok.

"Would you like to buy The Hammer? One dollar," he calls out.

A woman passes him a $2 note to be placed in the tin can, and he tells her good-humouredly: "I don't have change for you."

She shrugs and smiles.

It is a Sunday morning. Amid talk of an impending general election, the Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general and his entourage are meeting residents and selling the party newsletter at a hawker centre in Bedok North, which is part of the ruling People's Action Party's East Coast GRC.

While a few residents edge away from the group or wave them off, many others are politely receptive, if not supportive.

Information technology specialist M. Chua, 34, who opposes having casinos here on religious grounds, buys a copy "to find out more about what the other side thinks".

Madam Tay Kia Bee, 68, rushes up to Mr Low to pump his hand and pronounces herself a fervent supporter.

"Yi si teochew nang (He is a Teochew)," she says.

But aren't there Teochews among PAP MPs too?

"Yes," she replies. "But I've never met them."

But a stigma of being seen with the opposition lingers.

One young couple buy the newsletter, but do not want their photograph taken. And while another resident and his daughter loudly pronounce their support, they decline to speak with Insight.

But things are already much improved, says Mr Low.

"In the past, people would ask me, 'Is this legal or not?'" he says with a chuckle, referring to The Hammer.

In an interview at his Hougang Town Council office earlier, he said there was a climate of "fear" when he first entered politics in the 1980s.

As the election agent for former WP chief J.B. Jeyaretnam in 1985, his photographs often appeared in the press.

The Nanyang University graduate was then also a Chinese-language teacher at Peidao Secondary School.

"I know my vice-principal would always cut out newspaper reports and place them in my file. So I was waiting to see whether anything would happen," recalls the 50-year-old.

"I was waiting to be sacked."

He was not. But he resigned in 1986 to set up a construction business.

His wife, Madam Han Mui Keow, was then a customer service executive. One of her directors warned her that Mr Low was embarking on "a path of no return", using the Chinese term si bu de fan sheng.

"So when I was elected in 1991, I told my wife, 'You go and tell your boss - si yu fan sheng (a dead fish has turned)'. Have you ever seen a fish which looks like it's dead? But suddenly, it turns and it moves?"

Evident in that remark is a "never say die" attitude, a party philosophy that has made the WP, which was set up in 1957, Singapore's longest-surviving opposition party, says Mr Low.

There is also a certain colloquial style which, despite the grammatical errors or fractured delivery, has kept Mr Low popular with residents, and made him a force to be reckoned with.

His efforts to bond with Hougang's constituents extend to attending funeral wakes.

His election rallies, filled with Teochew anecdotes, are heartland draws.

In Parliament, he is seen as quick to probe ministers on issues, whether on a shortage of beds in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, or the implications of having integrated resorts here.

But his performance is calibrated, says Mr Low, who does not believe in opposing government policies "just because you are the opposition".

"I don't believe that opposition has to be a mad dog. You have to be a watchdog."

It is a style that has led him, and long-serving Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong, to be regarded as opposition politicians acceptable to the ruling PAP.

In 1992, then-senior minister Lee Kuan Yew noted that while both might disagree with the Government over certain issues, the differences were within reasonable limits and over how to solve problems, not whether the problems existed.

Mr Low says the element of "fear" still exists - the result of libel suits against past opposition politicians - but he has little sympathy for those who use it as a reason for not joining opposition politics:

"The fact is that there are so many opposition members around, including myself, who are still alive and kicking, walking around. So?"

His view must be convincing. In recent years, the WP has attracted a number of young Singaporeans, many of them professionals.

Its youth wing, set up last August, has 20 to 30 active members, out of a total active party membership of 200. This, together with a notable efficiency in marshalling resources to mount weekly constituency walkabouts and regular public forums, has led political observers, and even PAP MPs, to regard the WP as the opposition party likely to pose the strongest challenge to the PAP at the next polls.

But Mr Low is a mix of caution and candour.

He refuses to discuss his party's chances at the next election, the issues it will raise, or even to go into detail about his relationship with Mr Chiam.

He will say only that they "are friends" who confide in each other about problems they face on the political stage.

But give him some time to warm up, and Mr Low does drop some nuggets about the WP's plans.

He confirms that at the next election, it wants to contest in four GRCs - Sembawang, East Coast, Aljunied and Ang Mo Kio - and the single wards of Hougang, Nee Soon East and Joo Chiat.

The WP was set up in 1957 by former chief minister David Marshall. But it was only in 1971, when Mr Jeyaretnam took over, that the party published its first manifesto.

In 1981, Mr Jeyaretnam won the Anson by-election, becoming the first opposition member elected to Parliament since independence. But in 1986, he had to vacate his seat after being convicted for false declaration of party accounts.

The party re-established its parliamentary presence when Dr Lee Siew Choh was sworn in as a Non-Constituency MP in 1989 - and when Mr Low won in Hougang in the 1991 General Election.

A split occurred in 2001 when Mr Jeyaretnam left the party. He was bankrupted by a libel suit and unable to stand for elections. The veteran politician accused the WP leadership - including Mr Low, who took over as secretary-general - of not helping with his debts.

On the episode's repercussions, Mr Low says he does not believe the split was so serious as to result in a "major public backlash against the party".

Preferring to look ahead instead, he spoke of his vision for the WP's future:

"In the long term, I hope the party will evolve to become something like a civic political institution which contributes to society, not just on a political platform but, with more manpower resources, also to some charitable and community causes."

To date, members have quietly participated in community work under the WP banner, including helping Mercy Relief to raise funds in the aftermath of the Dec 26, 2004 tsunami.

Said Mr Low of such moves: "In politics, our political opponent is the PAP. But beyond that, there's a larger national interest. I think as a political party, you also have to play a role and be part of it."

Mr Low, a Buddhist and who was once described by the Chinese press as "an angry Teochew man", admits to being "quite emotional" and aggressive at times.

"But I learn," he says. "You need to have a clear mind as far as politics goes."

xueying@sph.com.sg

---

'Party has survived, evolved and stayed relevant'

>> What do you think the Workers' Party (WP) has achieved in the last 49 years?

First, we've managed to survive. No other local opposition parties from that era have done so. And we're still alive and kicking today.

That is no mean feat given the political environment we are in.

>> How has the party changed since 1957?

It has evolved with the times, stayed relevant with the issues of the day - yet remained committed to participating in the democratic process.

When Singapore became independent, we came out in the 1970s with the concept of moving "Towards A Caring Society".

Then it was "Power To The People", in which we focused on the underprivileged.

Today, on a conceptual level, our platform is "You Have A Choice" - you have a choice to help keep Singapore's democratic system alive.

>> The Government has also been focusing on the poor and the needy. Do you think your approach is becoming irrelevant?

There will always be an underprivileged segment in society, despite changed circumstances and especially with the advent of globalisation. We will highlight the plight of such groups...and get the PAP to look at them carefully. They may then win them over. Then, we'll look for new issues. I think that's our job. I'm quite happy to do that.

But I'm not one who will go around and create issues. I think it's meaningless. If there are no issues, I'll keep quiet.

>> Do you see a maturing of Singapore society and politics here?

In the past, candidates took each other on often like enemies. I believe we have evolved. Singaporeans also wish to see more political participation, and in a more mature manner.

This means yes, we are political opponents, but we are not enemies. We may have different views but we are all Singaporeans first and foremost. This change in political culture will make it easier for people to participate.

>> Has the WP considered merging with other opposition parties, be part of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) for example, to consolidate resources?

In theory, it may be a good idea. But such a change has to evolve naturally.

There were some suggestions in the past about joining SDA. The WP looked at it, discussed the issue and decided that it may be better for us to continue going it alone. It is every party's right to take whichever approach it wants in politics. I believe in diversity.